Search found 199 matches

by Wild Willie
Mon Dec 11, 2023 9:34 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Does Aggressive Roth Conversion Make Sense?
Replies: 134
Views: 15828

Re: Does Aggressive Roth Conversion Make Sense?

Okay, I stand corrected...........I think. Actually, I'm in the camp of paying the least taxes, no matter who has to pay them, my kids or the estate.
by Wild Willie
Sun Dec 10, 2023 2:58 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Does Aggressive Roth Conversion Make Sense?
Replies: 134
Views: 15828

Re: Does Aggressive Roth Conversion Make Sense?

For most people, not all, Roth Conversions are probably pretty close to neutral benefit past 22% tax bracket. There are always personal, specialized cases to be analyzed. If you are in your 60s and in poor health meaning you are likely to pass away within a few years that might be a special case. If your heirs are in highest tax bracket at the time you die that might be a special case. You get into making assumptions about future tax rates, future changes to tax laws, future rates of return, future dates of death for you/spouse, future tax rates for heirs, dates of death of heirs, states of residence, and so forth. If you are assuming none of these change for the next 20 years your assumption is likely wrong. All of which a person has no c...
by Wild Willie
Fri Aug 18, 2023 8:41 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: VWENX vs VIIIX/VBTIX combo
Replies: 15
Views: 1298

Re: VWENX vs VIIIX/VBTIX combo

I will be interested in the responses to your post. I have about 100% of my portfolio in the "W's" and have generally been satisfied with the results, but you bring up a very interesting point. Just not sure if I want to give up my "set it and forget it" choices.
by Wild Willie
Thu Jan 05, 2023 9:25 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Unhappy with Vanguard - any advice on moving to Fidelity? [Incorrect RMD]
Replies: 54
Views: 7442

Re: Unhappy with Vanguard - any advice on moving to Fidelity?

nalor511 wrote: Tue Jan 03, 2023 11:16 pm I left. No regrets. Fidelity has been great. Schwab is an ok second
Same here. Decided on Schwab because they gave the largest bonus and couldn't be happier. Now I have a local manager that I can call with any questions and PRESTO!, it's answered. Their website is also awesome and their research is outstanding.
by Wild Willie
Wed Sep 14, 2022 4:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Yet Another "Seeking New Cell Company" Thread
Replies: 31
Views: 3475

Re: Yet Another "Seeking New Cell Company" Thread

rockstar wrote: Tue Aug 30, 2022 7:49 pm I use Verizon because of where I live. They provide the best coverage. Cheaper options exist with worse coverage. I also use calling over wifi when at home, which works the best regardless of coverage areas.

Ditto for me, but with ATT
by Wild Willie
Fri Apr 22, 2022 2:01 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Thinking of switching to Schwab due to their fraud guarantee
Replies: 25
Views: 2776

Re: Thinking of switching to Schwab due to their fraud guarantee

Thanks all for the input. Any thoughts about using the two Schwab funds I mentioned upstream (60% SWTSX and 40% SWAGX) to try to approximate Wellington from a diversification perspective? Am I thinking about this issue correctly? Thanks again As I noted, you should have no trouble transferring your existing Wellington holdings to Schwab in-kind. For new investments, if Schwab gives you a transaction fee waiver for Vanguard mutual funds, you could just purchase the investor-class shares of Wellington (VWELX). If you don't receive a fee waiver and are happy with a 60/40 allocation, then SWTSX and SWAGX are fine choices! This is exactly what I did. I just can't buy more Admiral shares (VWENX), have to substitute VWELX going forward, but I hav...
by Wild Willie
Tue Mar 01, 2022 7:57 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Hybrid Life Insurance for Long Term Care
Replies: 71
Views: 5031

Re: Hybrid Life Insurance for Long Term Care

I don't think it is worth focusing on those older problems for the options I am considering. Right now, I have two options on the table, and I welcome your thoughts and advice. Policy 1: Traditional, single premium, four years of benefits (max $48,000 per year), 3% compound inflation of benefits, six month elimination period. Benefits paid only to reimburse documented expenses of facility care or licensed home health. "Partnership" policy, so assets up to policy amount are protected from potential medicaid clawback. Premium $66,000. Policy 2: Hybrid linked benefit, single premium, six years of benefits (max $45,000 per year), 3% compound inflation, essentially no elimination period if needing care for over 90 days (benefit is ret...
by Wild Willie
Sat Feb 26, 2022 8:20 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Hybrid Life Insurance for Long Term Care
Replies: 71
Views: 5031

Re: Hybrid Life Insurance for Long Term Care

Looking at something similar, an SPIA from Forecare that covers LTC. Would be interested in anyone's thoughts regarding this product.
by Wild Willie
Tue Jan 18, 2022 9:29 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: My First Roth conversions to be this year! Top of 24% or 32%?
Replies: 42
Views: 6274

Re: My First Roth conversions to be this year! Top of 24% or 32%?

I'd consider whether or not you will ever recoup the lost investment income on the tax paid upfront, within your lifetime. Once your are in the range of age 65 and in the higher tax brackets and subject to IRMAA, it gets difficult to ever recoup that lost investment income. If Conversions start at younger ages there is time, but at 65+ you'd have to live a long time. And if you need the money for medical bills at some point, e.g. long term care, you will have paid tax on the Conversion when you could have used the IRA/401K money and taken a medical deduction and potentially paid zero tax on that same money. Likewise with QCDs. Thanks for your comment. Whether or not "we come out ahead" is of course an important question that I am...
by Wild Willie
Mon Dec 27, 2021 8:04 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Gas station prices and quality
Replies: 117
Views: 18925

Re: Gas station prices and quality

I am more concerned with finding a gas station that has non-ethanol blended gas. Same, my motorcycle is notorious for having issues running E10. Cars tend to have an mpg bump on pure gasoline vs 10% ethanol blend that makes up for the cost difference. "Cars tend to have an mpg bump on pure gasoline vs 10% ethanol blend that makes up for the cost difference." I have been using non-ethanol gas in my F150 truck for the past few months and I find this to be true. I routinely get 3-5 more MPG with non-ethanol gas. I know it does not pay me to buy the non-ethanol gas, but it is worth it for the pep I get with my 6 year old truck and the extra miles per tank I get which means I don't have to fill up as often. Wonder if anyone has a form...
by Wild Willie
Mon Nov 15, 2021 10:53 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: lease vs purchase of new vehicle
Replies: 7
Views: 1170

lease vs purchase of new vehicle

Wondering if anyone has done, or at least explored, with today's vehicle markets whether or not to "lock in" on the favorable used vehicle prices by trading early? Then lease a vehicle for a couple of years because of the current high prices of vehicles due to the supply chain problems. It would seem that there might be a way to come out better if one was to do that. I'm guessing the supply chain problems/chip shortages will be over with by the time the lease expires (two years?). Guess it might be a form of arbitrage? Just daydreaming. Slow day around this retirement gig today.
by Wild Willie
Mon Oct 04, 2021 4:12 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Roth Conversion Procedure
Replies: 4
Views: 891

Re: Roth Conversion Procedure

OpenDelta wrote: Mon Oct 04, 2021 2:33 pm
Wiggums wrote: Mon Oct 04, 2021 12:38 pm Logon to VG, select Source IRA, see convert IRA link in title. Funds will be transferred in-kind and the web portal Account information page gets updated overnight in a batch process.

https://investor.vanguard.com/ira/how-t ... o-roth-ira
Thanks for the link! Transfer shows it is pending, easier than I thought it would be.
Hope you have better luck than I did. Took almost a month to be processed.
by Wild Willie
Mon Sep 06, 2021 12:49 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Tracking the 5-year clock on a Roth conversions
Replies: 25
Views: 4934

Re: Tracking the 5-year clock on a Roth conversions

"Used to be that almost all conversions were 100% taxable, but with the popularity of back door Roth's in recent years, conversions now often involve little or even no taxable amount. How so? How can $$ taken from a pre-tax account not be taxable? Maybe my understanding of a "back door Roth conversion" is erroneous? I thought any $$ taken out of a pre-tax account was taxable. Others have already replied but I suggest you read the full Wiki if you have any questions on how this works. https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Backdoor_Roth In my opinion, the informal terms 'backdoor Roth" (in the Wiki) and "backdoor Roth conversion" (used above) should be discarded and replaced by the clearer and more accurate informal t...
by Wild Willie
Mon Sep 06, 2021 9:22 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Tracking the 5-year clock on a Roth conversions
Replies: 25
Views: 4934

Re: Tracking the 5-year clock on a Roth conversions

Note that in addition to tracking the gross conversions, you also need to keep track of the taxable portion of each conversion for purposes of determining the amount of the 10% recapture tax (aka penalty) in the event you withdraw the conversion before completing the 5 years. Used to be that almost all conversions were 100% taxable, but with the popularity of back door Roths in recent years, conversions now often involve little or even no taxable amount. When tracking your conversions, if you take a distribution from a conversion in the last 5 years under the Roth IRA ordering rules, you have to update your tracking method to reflect the portion of a year's conversion that you no longer hold. Tracking this when you are also taking distribu...
by Wild Willie
Sat Sep 04, 2021 11:17 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Why I'm leaving Vanguard
Replies: 220
Views: 38220

Re: Why I'm leaving Vanguard

galawdawg wrote: Sat Sep 04, 2021 8:32 am
Wild Willie wrote: Sat Sep 04, 2021 8:11 am I hope I never find the need to post again on Vanguard's poor customer service aka "Process over Action".
Glad it finally was resolved. Of course, the best way to avoid having to post again on Vanguard's poor customer service is to follow-through with your stated intentions and take your business elsewhere! :beer
I intend to, but I prefer to wait to until the end of the year so my tax documents don't get mixed up. 90% is already at Schwab, just waiting to clean this up in early 2022.
by Wild Willie
Sat Sep 04, 2021 8:11 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Why I'm leaving Vanguard
Replies: 220
Views: 38220

Re: Why I'm leaving Vanguard

OP here: Update: a supervisor finally called me back yesterday afternoon (Friday); however, I was away from my phone so I missed her call, but I returned her call immediately and reached her voicemail which said that she would call me back in 24-48 hours (Now, when have I heard that before?) Anyway, I left a message on her voicemail saying that if I did not hear from her by EOD yesterday, I would be filing a complaint with the SEC on Tuesday. Today, just now, on Saturday morning, I received an email from VG saying that my transaction was complete so I logged in and VOILA!, my $60k+ is now sitting in my Roth with a backdated entry of 8/6/21. Now, was it my last phone call that made this happen or did it just happen to occur after that last p...
by Wild Willie
Fri Sep 03, 2021 11:13 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Why I'm leaving Vanguard
Replies: 220
Views: 38220

Re: Why I'm leaving Vanguard

OP here again: Called in again today after, once again, the promised call by a supervisor never came. Status: it's now been almost exactly a month since I initiated this Roth conversion and while my taxes were withheld and presumably sent to the IRS, I still cannot access my approximately $60,000 that is being held up by the "Adjustments Group". On the latest call today, I was told that there was nothing anyone could do because it is in the adjustment group. I asked for a supervisor and was told that there was nothing a supervisor could do because "it is in the adjustment group". Even so, I insisted that a supervisor call me, but none was available because they were all in a staff meeting, but that he would make sure hi...
by Wild Willie
Fri Sep 03, 2021 10:31 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Why I'm leaving Vanguard
Replies: 220
Views: 38220

Re: Why I'm leaving Vanguard

OP here again: Called in again today after, once again, the promised call by a supervisor never came. Status: it's now been almost exactly a month since I initiated this Roth conversion and while my taxes were withheld and presumably sent to the IRS, I still cannot access my approximately $60,000 that is being held up by the "Adjustments Group". On the latest call today, I was told that there was nothing anyone could do because it is in the adjustment group. I asked for a supervisor and was told that there was nothing a supervisor could do because "it is in the adjustment group". Even so, I insisted that a supervisor call me, but none was available because they were all in a staff meeting, but that he would make sure his...
by Wild Willie
Mon Aug 30, 2021 6:40 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Why I'm leaving Vanguard
Replies: 220
Views: 38220

Re: Why I'm leaving Vanguard

Update: According to the CS rep I spoke with, my conversion holdup is due to a "backlog in the Adjustment group" who is supposedly going to backdate the trade date since I initially initiated the transaction on 8/6/21. I tried to explain that there was no need to backdate the transaction since it was coming out of the Federal MM Fund ((VMFXX) and going to that same fund in my Roth IRA, but she insisted that the Adjustment group still had to process it. I asked for this issue to be escalated so that I could talk to a supervisor because I wanted a "date certain" as to when this was going to happen. After a long hold, I was told that a supervisor "Connie" would call me back in 24-48 hours. This is the third time ...
by Wild Willie
Wed Aug 25, 2021 8:29 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Wellington ETF?
Replies: 5
Views: 1321

Re: Wellington ETF?

placeholder wrote: Wed Aug 25, 2021 7:59 pm Recent performance is not a great way to design your portfolio as you end up chasing returns and churning your assets so decide on the asset allocation first then choose the appropriate funds to implement.
Exactly, this fund has only been around since 2018, it's almost all equities, etc. Oh well, I'll stick with Wellington
by Wild Willie
Wed Aug 25, 2021 3:09 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Wellington ETF?
Replies: 5
Views: 1321

Re: Wellington ETF?

sorry, I should have researched it further before posting on this forum. thanks

Having said that, the etf seems to have pretty good performance. I'll have to compare it using VG tools.
by Wild Willie
Wed Aug 25, 2021 2:54 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Wellington ETF?
Replies: 5
Views: 1321

Wellington ETF?

Just found something online that seems to say that an ETF designated VFQY is an etf for Wellington VWENX. True?
by Wild Willie
Wed Aug 25, 2021 12:23 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Why I'm leaving Vanguard
Replies: 220
Views: 38220

Re: Why I'm leaving Vanguard

Can't do anything until the funds are transferred to the Roth. They are still sitting in the RO IRA.
by Wild Willie
Wed Aug 25, 2021 8:30 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Why I'm leaving Vanguard
Replies: 220
Views: 38220

Re: Why I'm leaving Vanguard

Update: According to the CS rep I spoke with, my conversion holdup is due to a "backlog in the Adjustment group" who is supposedly going to backdate the trade date since I initially initiated the transaction on 8/6/21. I tried to explain that there was no need to backdate the transaction since it was coming out of the Federal MM Fund ((VMFXX) and going to that same fund in my Roth IRA, but she insisted that the Adjustment group still had to process it. I asked for this issue to be escalated so that I could talk to a supervisor because I wanted a "date certain" as to when this was going to happen. After a long hold, I was told that a supervisor "Connie" would call me back in 24-48 hours. This is the third time I...
by Wild Willie
Wed Aug 25, 2021 7:42 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Why I'm leaving Vanguard
Replies: 220
Views: 38220

Re: Why I'm leaving Vanguard

So, as of today, it's been almost three weeks since I initiated the conversion and it's still not completed. Guess I'll call again today and see what their latest excuse is. Sad, especially from such a great company (at one time).
by Wild Willie
Tue Aug 24, 2021 7:35 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Why I'm leaving Vanguard
Replies: 220
Views: 38220

Re: Why I'm leaving Vanguard

retired@50 wrote: Mon Aug 23, 2021 11:25 am
Wild Willie wrote: Sat Aug 21, 2021 7:32 am I have posted before about my dissatisfaction with Vanguard's inability to be flexible. This is just another example.
Wild Willie,
I, for one, am surprised that you're still a Vanguard client.
From what I can tell, this has been going on for over 4 years. What's the holdup?

viewtopic.php?p=6060533#p6060533
viewtopic.php?p=3548093#p3548093
viewtopic.php?p=3406948#p3406948

Regards,
I guess because I was so enamored with their funds, especially the "W's'", that I tried to avoid it at all costs. But the latest issue tipped me over.
by Wild Willie
Mon Aug 23, 2021 7:33 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Why I'm leaving Vanguard
Replies: 220
Views: 38220

Re: Why I'm leaving Vanguard

RickBoglehead wrote: Sat Aug 21, 2021 10:48 am
Ricola wrote: Sat Aug 21, 2021 10:35 am
Wild Willie wrote: Sat Aug 21, 2021 7:53 am Let's put it this way: they were very generous.
Not sure but I believe Schwab and Fidelity will both charge you if you try to leave whereas Vanguard never does.
Incorrect.

Fidelity used to charge you to leave. They no longer do.
I was told that as long as I stayed with Schwab for at least 12 months, there would be no charge. If I leave within that time period, I'm told that Schwab will back out the bonus upon transfer, but I see no reason why I would change again. In the big scheme of things, a few thousand $$ is not that much in a $1M account, but it was nice anyway.
by Wild Willie
Sat Aug 21, 2021 9:53 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Why I'm leaving Vanguard
Replies: 220
Views: 38220

Re: Why I'm leaving Vanguard

Carol88888 wrote: Sat Aug 21, 2021 9:25 am How do I get a transfer bonus? Do I just call the 1-800 number and ask for it? How did you negotiate?
Before I moved any assets, I contacted both Schwab and Fidelity. Fidelity's offer was higher than Schwab's for the amount I offered to move (Over $1M) so I went back to Schwab and asked them to match Fidelity's offer which they did. Fidelity wouldn't let me hold one of the Vanguard funds that I wanted to keep so I really preferred Schwab and when they matched Fido's offer, I went with them. Very satisfied so far.
by Wild Willie
Sat Aug 21, 2021 8:45 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Why I'm leaving Vanguard
Replies: 220
Views: 38220

Re: Why I'm leaving Vanguard

UpperNwGuy wrote: Sat Aug 21, 2021 8:18 am
Wild Willie wrote: Sat Aug 21, 2021 7:53 am Let's put it this way: they were very generous.
Please tell us the dollar amount of your transfer bonus.
$2,500
by Wild Willie
Sat Aug 21, 2021 7:53 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Why I'm leaving Vanguard
Replies: 220
Views: 38220

Re: Why I'm leaving Vanguard

Let's put it this way: they were very generous.
by Wild Willie
Sat Aug 21, 2021 7:32 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Why I'm leaving Vanguard
Replies: 220
Views: 38220

Why I'm leaving Vanguard

In yet another example of Vanguard's mindset of "Process over action", I submit the following: on 8/9/21 I initiated a Roth conversion. As of today, 8/21, the remaining $$ after withholding for taxes have still not been moved to my Roth account. On 8/16, I inquired into the delay and was told that my request had been escalated and I received a "case number", I was told that the $$ would be moved within 24 hours. Yesterday, 8/20, I called back and after an extensive hold, I was told that the case was being looked at because the "adjustment group" (or something like that) was trying to make the conversion with the prices of the fund it was being moved to/from on the date of the initial conversion. I pointed out t...
by Wild Willie
Sat Jul 31, 2021 3:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Best Cash Back Credit Card May 2021
Replies: 16
Views: 4114

Re: Best Cash Back Credit Card May 2021

Bogle64Pilot wrote: Fri May 14, 2021 11:12 am
rhoptry wrote: Fri May 14, 2021 10:01 am I still have the USAA 2.5% back on everything, no annual fee, must have at least $1000 direct deposited per month into checking. Are there better ones that I should consider? Cash back only.
I’m not seeing that as a current offering…
I have the USAA 2.5% card also, but I think I'm grandfathered and it is no longer offered for new customers.
by Wild Willie
Mon Jul 12, 2021 4:12 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Transferring accounts from Vanguard to Schwab - should I stay or should I go?
Replies: 113
Views: 13878

Re: Transferring accounts from Vanguard to Schwab - should I stay or should I go?

Regarding automation, there was a post just a few days ago about how setting up spousal account access with Schwab required paper forms (potentially notarized if I remember correctly) whereas the same thing could be quickly done completely online at Vanguard. Schwab requires a notarized paper form for a full-authority POA, not for limited account access provided to another. And for the full-authority POA, Schwab will reimburse any notary fees and the form can be uploaded as a secure message, mailing it is not required. a $2,500 bonus (payable in my Rollover IRA in 45 days) Isn't this a contribution to an IRA? That would require earned income of at least that amount and it would require that you had not already maxed out your IRA contributi...
by Wild Willie
Mon Jul 12, 2021 4:08 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Transferring accounts from Vanguard to Schwab - should I stay or should I go?
Replies: 113
Views: 13878

Re: Transferring accounts from Vanguard to Schwab - should I stay or should I go?

Yesterdaysnews wrote: Mon Jul 12, 2021 1:14 pm Did you go into the office and ask about a bonus? How would one go about getting this bonus ?
No, all was done telephonically. S decided to match Fido's offer, but remember, it was a new account and I transferred 7 figures.
by Wild Willie
Mon Jul 12, 2021 10:47 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Transferring accounts from Vanguard to Schwab - should I stay or should I go?
Replies: 113
Views: 13878

Re: Transferring accounts from Vanguard to Schwab - should I stay or should I go?

I just recently moved 90% of my portfolio to Schwab from VG and was promised a $2,500 bonus (payable in my Rollover IRA in 45 days). So far, no complaints, but there were a couple of wrinkles that my local rep had to assist me with during the transfer. I, too, left VG because of their "process over customer service" policy. I considered Fido, but they would not let me hold my Wellsley Admiral. S allows it, but I can't buy more since it is a closed fund. For that reason, I left my VG account open with enough funding if I want to buy more. Wellington Admiral is no problem.

They also agreed to waive transaction fees for the future if I want to buy VG funds.
by Wild Willie
Mon Jun 14, 2021 2:47 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Leaving Vanguard
Replies: 87
Views: 16514

Re: Leaving Vanguard

I've noticed that some folks seem to relish inaction when it comes to their accounts. While that's almost a Boglehead fundamental principle when it comes to managing investments, it's not such a great idea when it comes to capabilities and platforms. I've noticed that tendency, too. If often doesn't turn out well. I don't want to quibble with either of you, but if you read your own info, it says VG will "automatically" make the change to the Admiral version after a certain date so why should one expect that the auto transfer will be held up? Why couldn't VG just make the auto transfer by taking it from the existing authorized fund, or moving the $$ and then making the auto transfer? That's my beef. The transaction couldn't be com...
by Wild Willie
Fri Jun 11, 2021 12:45 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Leaving Vanguard
Replies: 87
Views: 16514

Re: Leaving Vanguard

I have been told that VG is concentrating on "private equity" at the expense of customers like me, but not sure that is true. VG is putting some focus on private equity. It's also putting some focus on its institutional investors, advisors, and retail investors. Vanguard is a large organization with many products and services, and many customer sets and channels to distribute its products through, so it's focusing on lots of things. Is that all at the expense of customers like you? I wouldn't put it that way. Many companies (banks, retailers of all stripes) sell to various groups of customers so I can't just up and leave because my customer group isn't priority #1 -- otherwise I might not have many companies left to do business w...
by Wild Willie
Fri Jun 11, 2021 12:34 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Leaving Vanguard
Replies: 87
Views: 16514

Re: Leaving Vanguard

The 19th hole wrote: Fri Jun 11, 2021 12:32 pm
backpacker61 wrote: Fri Jun 11, 2021 11:58 am
Wild Willie wrote: Fri Jun 11, 2021 11:35 am The "coup atat" happened this morning when I discovered that an automatic withdrawal/transfer did not occur yesterday
I think you meant coup de grâce?
Or possibly coup d'etat?
Yep, spellcheck got me.
by Wild Willie
Fri Jun 11, 2021 12:33 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Leaving Vanguard
Replies: 87
Views: 16514

Re: Leaving Vanguard

DoubleComma wrote: Fri Jun 11, 2021 11:41 am Do you need to re-buy your position in those funds? If you transfer in kind those shared from VG to Schwab you would be an existing investor not a new one.
That's what I plan to do. Schwab rep just called back, while I can buy and sell Wellington since I'm an existing investor, they don't offer the Admiral version unless one is an institutional investor.
by Wild Willie
Fri Jun 11, 2021 11:35 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Leaving Vanguard
Replies: 87
Views: 16514

Leaving Vanguard

Well, I'm close to pulling the trigger and moving my "pot of gold" to another fund family. Looks like Schwab may be the leading candidate. I have had many issues with VG over the years, but within the last few years, they seemed to have lost the edge regarding customer service. The thing that kept me on the hook was access to two Wellington funds, VWIAX and VTENX that I thought I wouldn't have access to with another fund family without transactions fees. Found out that while the transaction fees will be imposed, the local rep and waive the fees. The "coup atat" happened this morning when I discovered that an automatic withdrawal/transfer did not occur yesterday and after calling VG, I learned that the reason it didn't oc...
by Wild Willie
Fri May 21, 2021 9:16 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Roth Conversion
Replies: 18
Views: 2581

Re: Roth Conversion

I am doing the same thing and I'm 74 years old. Here's my logic: The Cares Act changed the rules on Inherited IRA's in that our heirs have to take out and pay taxes within 10 years and the withdrawal RMD's for them are no longer based on their life expectancy, but ours which will greatly increase their taxes. I could take the stance "well, that's their problem, not mine", but my philosophy is that I don't want the government to get one more penny than what I'm required to pay. For those reasons, I plan to convert my Tira as quickly as possible up to the Medicare limits that would push my premiums into the next bracket.
by Wild Willie
Tue Mar 23, 2021 10:04 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Considering $1M conversion from TIRA to my Roth. Talk me out of it!
Replies: 58
Views: 5638

Re: Considering $1M conversion from TIRA to my Roth. Talk me out of it!

Here's a link to another thread that I started and contained some really good advice:

viewtopic.php?p=5894236#p5894236
by Wild Willie
Sun Mar 21, 2021 7:40 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: mega mega roth conversion
Replies: 23
Views: 2458

Re: mega mega roth conversion

RETIREDJG-in answer to you questions practically all of our POG is in deferred accounts, approximately $1.5M and we file MFJ. I have worked to remain in the 12% bracket for the last few years and our only source of income is from RMD's and SS.

Celia-all good info, especially the first hand info. I think your comment "After you take your RMD each year, I encourage you to convert but stay withing the 22 or 24% tax bracket and stay within the first (or no) IRMAA tier which currently ends at a MAGI of $111K." (but I think it's $175K for a couple) about sums up what I have taken from the advice of most bogleheads in this thread. That may very well be what I finally go with going forward.
by Wild Willie
Sat Mar 20, 2021 2:21 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: mega mega roth conversion
Replies: 23
Views: 2458

Re: mega mega roth conversion

very helpful info Yog. Maybe, as you suggested, a tradeoff would be converting up to the 22-24% marginal rates, i.e. the "best of both words". thanks for your input
by Wild Willie
Sat Mar 20, 2021 10:13 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: mega mega roth conversion
Replies: 23
Views: 2458

Re: mega mega roth conversion

invest4 wrote: Sat Mar 20, 2021 10:09 am Anything is possible and none of us know what will happen...thus why is it generally not advisable to take such actions. You also provide no real sense of your age or financial situation to even suggest possible alternatives (e.g. may make some sense to make some conversions...but perhaps over time).
74, with +$1M net worth
by Wild Willie
Sat Mar 20, 2021 10:11 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: mega mega roth conversion
Replies: 23
Views: 2458

Re: mega mega roth conversion

did not know that, (I know it's true for tax deferred IRA's aka TIRA) but even if true, it would still be non-taxable for the heirs.
by Wild Willie
Sat Mar 20, 2021 7:58 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: mega mega roth conversion
Replies: 23
Views: 2458

mega mega roth conversion

I searched for the above subject and while I did find one similar topic, it didn't fully cover what I want the group's input on. With today's political climate (hope I don't break the rules here), I believe it's entirely possible that taxes rise exponentially in an attempt, probably futile, to pay down/reduce our country's debt and deficit. With our present debt, which seems insurmountable, I strongly suspect that our representatives will attempt to manage it by a combination of things, i.e. severely raising taxes; inflating our dollars so that as we pay back the debt, we do so with cheaper dollars; monetizing the debt by continuing to print money with a commensurate "easing" by the Fed; or any other methods that I can't conceive ...
by Wild Willie
Sun Dec 29, 2019 9:04 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: suggest 50/50 portfolio
Replies: 28
Views: 6487

Re: suggest 50/50 portfolio

bck63 wrote: Mon Oct 21, 2019 7:15 am
Wild Willie wrote: Sat Dec 22, 2018 4:41 pm For the past five years, I have been in what amounts to a 35/65 portfolio (half in VTINX-Target Income and half in VWIAX-Wellsley Income). I chose those two funds for simplicity in case I started drooling and wetting my pants so my DW could just "stay the course" and not worry about what to do. Last year, we made a decision that when the drooling and wetting starts, she will call PAS and turn our portfolio over to VG to manage.
Has the drooling and wetting started yet?
Not yet
by Wild Willie
Sun Dec 29, 2019 8:57 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Last Minute Roth Conversion Question
Replies: 17
Views: 2222

Re: Last Minute Roth Conversion Question

Since I read about the SECURE act, I have toyed with the idea of converting to save my kids from having to pay higher taxes than I would have to pay if I start converting now. I will probably not do so for the following reasons:

1) Medicare premiums will rise because my AGI will surpass the threshold

2) RMD's already force me up to the 12% bracket

3) I don't trust certain peeps, if they get into power, to leave the Roth rules alone
by Wild Willie
Sun Dec 29, 2019 8:49 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What are you up YTD? [Year To Date]
Replies: 5249
Views: 899883

Re: What are you up YTD? [Year To Date]

50% Wellesley/50% Wellington....+17.5%