Sorry, disaster was too strong. Before today's CPI-U, it looked like May's bonds would have both a 0% inflation rate and a 0% fixed rate. Maybe not a disaster, but no better than money in a mattress for 6 months for new bonds purchased in May.
I don't think WEP is fair to ANY EXTENT. Wife paid into SS at full rates every month; get something way less out at retirement. 76% in our case is correct as she gets caught at the very most WEP reduction of $396.00+ Early retirement benefits of SS were only going to be $524 per month reduced to abo...
WEP became law in 1983; I would venture to say that the definition of a Windfall has changed dramatically in the last 30 years. Penalizing those like public school teachers who were forced by low wages to earn money through other jobs to support a family in minimum comfort was an error in the constr...
Iorek, 1. You say you pay SS at your public school, which is correct. But I have a feeling it is just a smaller ding for Medicare (used to be 4%) and will not equate to SS benefits. Things might have changed, but you should ask more about what your SS deduction is for. 2. Wife's roommate worked for ...
Wife taught school( not paying Social Security taxes) for long enough to draw a nice retirement check and also worked before and afterwards for Social Security wages. Now in December 2013 we are looking at her drawing early age 62 SS benfits. Unfortunately those monthly benefits will be reduced by 7...
I think any mortgage that is going to have to be refinanced within 5 years is playing with inflationary fire. You have already changed your plans in the short time since you opted for the 1/5 mortgage and so far you have been lucky mortgages have not experienced a larger rise. I would opt for a 15 y...
Sorry, jerome, but based on your questions (especially "what do I need an attorney for, to draft contract?") , I believe you should definitely sign with a Buyer's Agent. I don't think you have enough knowledge of the paperwork required--particularly if you are going to have a mortgage. Cas...
Brian, i'll dispute your contention and ask to see your Board Moderator Badge. HA! Reasoning is simple: China buying up tons of U.S. debt at the same time as a nice vehicle for the average schumuck (I Bonds) become more retricted. I remember at the time limits were first dropped from $30K, I specula...
Brian, Yes, I know about what the Chinese buy. Just saying that dropping the limit from the original $30,000 was a lame move. They must have heard the complaints at least to reinstate the $10K limit.
That's great news. I haven't even checked if they raised the limit. As soon as I get off this board, I will do another $5K in each of our personal accounts and in each of our trust accounts.
For the first 4 months since the September CPI-U was announced there was a chance that both the inflation component and the fixed component of the May 2012 I bonds would be ZERO. However, the Feb and March CPI-U are going to give us a 2.2% inflation component and that improvement almost guarantees a...