Okay, this is really a newbie question but as a "FlyerTalk Legend" I figure I shouldn't be posting in the Newbie thread, so here goes:

I earned 660 basic points this year, with my first flight being in April. In December, I am going to earn 200 more points, giving me Silver status (which is about as high as I will ever go). From what I understand by reading the website status is determined by how many points you earned in the previous 12 months.

Does that mean that when April rolls around again, and my first flights fall off the calendar, that I will lose my brand-new Silver status or do I keep it for one year after earning it (which would mean until next December)?