Search found 16627 matches

by ResearchMed
Wed Mar 27, 2024 7:09 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Daniel Kahneman dies at 90
Replies: 11
Views: 2249

Re: Daniel Kahneman dies at 90

In a recent interview of Danny, I recall him being asked to confirm that as he knows all the behavioral trip-ups, he's probably somewhat immune to the same fallacies. He immediately explained that he was just as likely to fall for the same misconceptions. His solution was to identify someone familiar with the topic, who had no vested interest, and let them tear into the issue for review. That's a remarkable level of humility and self-awareness. It's proof that the gentleman was legit. A big loss indeed! That type of approach can be extraordinarily helpful, be it proof-reading, component testing, experimental design critique, etc. From another current thread, on "Boeing" fun and games: As a design engineer, I would stress my desig...
by ResearchMed
Wed Mar 27, 2024 6:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone use a Pet Nanny for travel?
Replies: 4
Views: 639

Re: Anyone use a Pet Nanny for travel?

A co worker had a dog shipped from Colorado to Ohio. I'm not sure if it had a Nanny or not, but it arrived sick. Had she gone to pick it up, she would have seen she was paying a lot of money for a sick dog. Curious whether a nanny would question this type of thing, or just accompany the sick dog. Personally, I'd stick with a well known, driveable distance breeder and avoid the whole mess. What's the reason you can't find a dog locally? Heian, Any chance you could take a few vacation days, fly out, pick up the puppy, -->> check out the breeder's facilities (cleanliness, condition of other puppies and dogs, see the parent, or at least the MomDog)? i can't stress this enough, and skp's post includes *one* example of why. You are going to be s...
by ResearchMed
Tue Mar 26, 2024 4:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Helping Parents Get Comfortable With Spending More
Replies: 2
Views: 493

Re: Helping Parents Get Comfortable With Spending More

My concern is that they are frugal to the point of being cheap and possibly hurting their health. For example, in the heat wave last year they did not turn on the A/C to save money, and my mother ended up getting heat stroke. When food prices started going up due to inflation, they skipped buying fresh food and instead ate more ramen noodles and other shelf-stable processed foods. They don't throw anything away as it might be useful later, so they have stacks of stuff to the ceiling that pose a tripping hazard (there is only one path through the stuff) and triggers their allergies. I've tried bringing up these concerns but I think it's hard for them to hear, especially from their child. I'll point out how it's okay to turn on the A/C when ...
by ResearchMed
Tue Mar 26, 2024 3:45 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Boeing (BA) stock: at some point it has to be a bargain
Replies: 197
Views: 19448

Re: Boeing (BA) stock: at some point it has to be a bargain

As an aeronautical engineer, I have a sentimental softness for Boeing, as a "stalwart" in the industry, and the developer of many fine technological advances, such as the B29 and other storied aircraft, the 747 and so on. Unfortunately that does not translate into any knowledge, actionable or even merely theoretical, into either its prospects as a business, or its vitality as a stock. As others noted, it is unlikely that Boeing would be "allowed" to outright fail, meaning that in dire situation, there would be a bailout. But again as others have noted, that is no balm for pained investors, and instead is likely a wipeout. I do hope that Boeing turns-around and succeeds, but can't justify devoting even just play-money, t...
by ResearchMed
Tue Mar 26, 2024 2:56 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Analysis of an Annuity
Replies: 13
Views: 1122

Re: Analysis of an Annuity

EricGold wrote: Tue Mar 26, 2024 1:58 pm
bertilak wrote: Tue Mar 26, 2024 1:39 pm I de-risked my nest egg.
Yes, although a fuller description would be "I de-risked my nest egg after the insurer gave me an appointment for a haircut."

Do you decline life insurance, home insurance, or auto insurance because the insurer is paid a bit for providing the pooling aspects, etc.?
With plain SPIAs, for example, one can compare insurers; it's a relatively competitive market, and the product isn't complicated.

RM
by ResearchMed
Mon Mar 25, 2024 1:07 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Surprise contractor bill
Replies: 21
Views: 2340

Re: Surprise contractor bill

heisenberg. wrote: Mon Mar 25, 2024 12:40 pm Had a very firm discussion that all changes or additional cost need to be approved by me in writing, which was done for some things after an initial hickup.

Did you get *this* agreement in writing?
If so, then they apparently didn't do what they should have done to get paid for the extra work.
(Problem is, what would they then do?)

RM
by ResearchMed
Mon Mar 25, 2024 6:27 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Autos Collecting and Selling Our Driving Info? Is this real?
Replies: 25
Views: 2791

Re: Autos Collecting and Selling Our Driving Info? Is this real?

Here is a link to an article this morning on CNBC.com:

"New cars are now ‘the worst’ products when it comes to protecting consumer data"

https://www.cnbc.com/2024/03/23/how-to- ... -data.html

:annoyed

RM
by ResearchMed
Sun Mar 24, 2024 10:29 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medical insurance question
Replies: 4
Views: 524

Re: Medical insurance question

Similar experience, had to answer a bunch of questions around the circumstances and location of the accident that caused the injury requiring the surgery. They were searching for any liability by others they could surrogate, there wasn’t any. I went ahead and completed it, other than 10 min or so answer questions and mailing a letter it wasn’t a big deal. This is most likely the situation. And keep in mind that you may have agreements with the insurer, as part of the coverage, to cooperate in situations like this. For example, if an auto accident, they may want to recover the costs from the insurer of the other car if they were at fault. This is unlikely to affect *your* coverage. And if they are asking if it's "really you", then...
by ResearchMed
Sun Mar 24, 2024 5:55 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Retirement Contribution Questions
Replies: 11
Views: 1056

Re: Retirement Contribution Questions

Yes, your plan may have special rules that have been set in place at TIAA. However, one sentence in what you wrote stood out: I reached out and the TIAA rep told me that would be a conflict of interest and I'm not allowed to invest any money in outside Money Market funds. Is that even legal for them to do? A conflict of interest? With what? That's not the same as "this is what your Employer offers in their 403b plan". The outcome may be the same in terms of choice/no choice, but the reasoning makes me wonder uf the rep has the right information or understood the question...? IF this is in fact the situation, perhaps you could keep your "Money Market money" elsewhere, and put your TIAA money in other funds? Separately, pe...
by ResearchMed
Sun Mar 24, 2024 5:15 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: RMD from various IRAs
Replies: 10
Views: 1041

Re: RMD from various IRAs

Still not exactly sure of the question but I can offer this tidbit... The first withdrawal from any investment with an RMD due is considered to be the RMD. This is what disallows a person from taking a withdrawal before the RMD is calculated, assessed and paid out. Now if you have a qualified account without an RMD due, or if you have paid out all RMDs from another source, could you take a withdrawal from an account and NOT count it as an RMD? That is a question for a CPA versed in IRAs, like Ed Slott. I'm not sure why an Ed Slott type is needed to answer the question of: "If you have a qualified account without an RMD due [not sure what this is], or i f you have paid out all RMDs from another source, could you take a withdrawal from ...
by ResearchMed
Sun Mar 24, 2024 4:16 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Does ERISA *really* provide 401k asset protection?
Replies: 76
Views: 7141

Re: Does ERISA *really* provide 401k asset protection?

This topic comes up frequently. I wish the experts would chime in and put it to rest. Bsteiner? Not an expert, but everything I have read says that the protection ends when the money leaves the the retirement account unless rolled into an IRA. Even if protected in the IRA, once you start taking withdrawals, that income probably won't be protected. The benefit of ERISA is that you can't be forced to pay out right now. If you're 30, your creditors are unlikely to want to wait 35+ years to get access to the judgement. This gets at the question I've long wondered about. Above, much of the meaning of "withdrawal" was interpreted to mean no one can take money out of 'your" ERISA account, or from some IRA accounts (state dependent)...
by ResearchMed
Sun Mar 24, 2024 1:26 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Boeing (BA) stock: at some point it has to be a bargain
Replies: 197
Views: 19448

Re: Boeing (BA) stock: at some point it has to be a bargain

Valuethinker wrote: Sun Mar 24, 2024 1:13 pm ...Still flying through the fog with no radar...
Uh, hopefully not in a Boeing plane...
nisiprius wrote: Sat Mar 23, 2024 8:34 am The last time I flew I was actually happy to be flying in an Airbus rather than a Boeing aircraft. I'll bet I'm not the only one.
Nope, not at all.

RM
by ResearchMed
Sun Mar 24, 2024 10:29 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Annuity for spendthrift brother on mom's death?
Replies: 52
Views: 4171

Re: Annuity for spendthrift brother on mom's death?

I know most people here hate annuities. But can anyone think of a better solution here? I've thought about this so much that my head is spinning. Welcome to Bogleheads! Good thinking to plan ahead for your brother's situation. (I'm assuming that neither he nor anyone on his behalf would object to this arrangement...) Please understand that there are many different kinds of "annuities", which complicates things terribly I think what you have in mind is an "SPIA": Single Premium Immediate Annuity", aka a Life Annuity. That's where one pays some amount, and based upon one's age, there is a monthly or annual check for the rest of one's life. There are some variations on this, such as a "guarantee" so that if ...
by ResearchMed
Sat Mar 23, 2024 5:25 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Autos Collecting and Selling Our Driving Info? Is this real?
Replies: 25
Views: 2791

Re: Autos Collecting and Selling Our Driving Info? Is this real?

I had no idea about this website, so thanks! I just put in our 2 cars, neither of which are the latest and greatest. Note: There was no request for any info other than the VIN. No SS, no phone number, no email. What it spit out when I put in the VINs were the following: 2004 Volvo XC90 (certainly not lots of up to date software!): " This car is like a “hard-drive on wheels" ” This, I sort of understand. Not a lot of "communicating" going on, right? Almost definitely a "failure to communicate"! :wink: and for the 2014 Volvo XC60 (no navigation system, or not one that we can access, by choice): " This car used to be a “smartphone on wheels” " But this one... This car USED TO BE? The car changed!? :shock...
by ResearchMed
Fri Mar 22, 2024 12:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: IRA contribution reported, but problems with deposit made contribution late
Replies: 3
Views: 220

Re: IRA contribution reported, but problems with deposit made contribution late

In April of 2023, I started an IRA and made a contribution using 2022 wages. I reported this contribution on my 2022 taxes. Much later (after filing deadline) I got my contribution check back from my IRA broker stating that I sent the check to the wrong address. I didn't get my account funded until Dec 2023. Ideally, I would like that contribution to count as 2022, but it's my understanding that having the check not accepted by my IRA broker around April 15th puts my contribution in limbo. I didn't work as much this year, so it would be too large to recharacterize as 2023. Any advice appreciated, ( including what kind of professional would be best to answer this kind of question ) Thanks! Welcome to Bogleheads! I'm sorry to reply to your f...
by ResearchMed
Thu Mar 21, 2024 10:36 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How to PULL 4% during Market Downturn? Yield Shield?
Replies: 36
Views: 2184

Re: How to PULL 4% during Market Downturn? Yield Shield?

What is yield shield? If you put several years of expenses in cash equivalents and only draw from that part of your portfolio during stock market drops, that solves the problem. The author add high dividend fund mix to spend on the dividend and capital gain during market downturn. She also has 5 years of cash saving . She has 1M portfolio that yield 2.5% dividend. Her annual spending is 40k and with 5 years cash cushion, she needs 75k. 40000-(1Mx2.5%)x5=75k After adding in high dividend fund, she ended up with a 3.5% yield instead of 2.5%. She was able to only save for 25k to cover a max of 5 year market downturn. [emphasis added] Here is the answer; you've already got it. This amount won't have the fluctuations of the rest of the market, ...
by ResearchMed
Wed Mar 20, 2024 9:41 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Net SS payment
Replies: 10
Views: 1184

Re: Net SS payment

Geologist wrote: Wed Mar 20, 2024 8:27 pm I agree with Silk McCue. My mother never had any taxes withheld from Social Security payments (over 27 years). What value is knowing percentages or actual net that other people receive?

Agree.

How much "Net SS payment" hits the bank account is usually going to depend much more on the amount of the base SS payment in the first place than on the tax rate of anything withheld or any Medicare costs withheld.
There is a huge range of monthly (or annual) SS payments.
And why does it matter how much others are "netting" in SS payments?

RM
by ResearchMed
Wed Mar 20, 2024 3:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Long-Term Care/Protecting Assests
Replies: 89
Views: 4979

Re: Long-Term Care/Protecting Assests

It seems a bit odd that you take exception to the idea of sheltering assets so that the tax payer picks up the tab, then immediately follow that up with instruction on how exactly to do that! Who do you think picks up the tab after five years when money that could have been used to pay for ongoing care is put into a trust or given away? OP stated that they were already aware of that 5 year look-back. Their mother was already doing that. I did not say I approved of that strategy (my opinion is irrelevant anyway). And we (DH and I) will *not* be doing that. We'll only be using Medicaid if we have truly run out, including the sale of our house. I was simply discussing OP's situation while commenting on their post. We are planning to be at a f...
by ResearchMed
Wed Mar 20, 2024 2:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Long-Term Care/Protecting Assests
Replies: 89
Views: 4979

Re: Long-Term Care/Protecting Assests

Very sorry... I was with you, and had an answer ready... until I got to this section of what you wrote: For those of you in a similar circumstance, how do you plan on sheltering your assets from the ravages of LTC and ensure they're passed on to your heirs where they rightfully belong? OUR plan is to find a good LTC facility that will keep us if we run out of money, transferring to Medicaid reimbursement. OUR money is for OUR care. YOUR money is for YOUR care. You want us, the taxpayers, to pay for your LTC so that you can leave your money to your heirs? Any money LEFT OVER will indeed be for your heirs. ... as will be any money you manage to get into the 5-year lookback. If you are able to get some money into a trust or something 5 years i...
by ResearchMed
Wed Mar 20, 2024 1:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Advice on choosing 2/3 day side trip from Paris in September
Replies: 18
Views: 1310

Re: Advice on choosing 2/3 day side trip from Paris in September

Looking for input on where we should go and stay on a 2 or 3 day side trip from Paris in September. We are considering Giverny/Versailles. We're in good health and walking miles is no problem. We like food, wine and museums. Where are you from, and are you only in Paris, or is this a longer trip including other places? Normandy would be my first pick. Chamonix my second. London my third. Carcassonne my fourth. Good luck with your decision. Tons of great options. You can get great food and wine in all of those locations. If you love museums, why leave Paris? But there are great ones in Normandy and London of course. IF you have never been to London AND don't think you'll get back that way, then by all means at least get a taste of London! (...
by ResearchMed
Wed Mar 20, 2024 10:25 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 40 Minutes to Connect in DFW
Replies: 61
Views: 4655

Re: 40 Minutes to Connect in DFW

My MDT-DFW flight is scheduled to leave at 7:15 AM. I've heard that early morning flights are less likely to be delayed, so I'm in good shape on that score. If I miss the connection in DFW, my Plan B will be to try to get on a flight to Seattle. Be sure to check your flight status the night before. Often the crew that operates the first flight of the day from small airports were the same ones that brought the aircraft in the night before. If the inbound was delayed it may interfere with the mandatory 10 hour crew rest period and they will have to delay the morning outbound. If that happens contact AA and ask to be rerouted out of MDT instead of waiting to get DFW. There may be better options through their other hubs. I have always found it...
by ResearchMed
Tue Mar 19, 2024 7:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Late RMD?
Replies: 6
Views: 516

Re: Late RMD?

My dad's health has been poor over the past few years so he made me his financial power of attorney late last year. He has a double-inherited IRA that took me a while to figure out how to calculate its RMD. I took the RMD on Dec 31 last year, but it looks like Vanguard's "Settlement date" was Jan 3, 2024. Is that while Vanguard didn't issue a 1099-R? Is this RMD considered late? If so, do I need to complete Form 5329 for my dad's taxes? Welcome to Bogleheads. I was going to ask if you placed the RMD order prior to the market close, because otherwise, it wouldn't be completed until the next business day... ... and then I remembered... that day was a Sunday, followed by New Year's Day (a holiday). So correct... you "did it&quo...
by ResearchMed
Tue Mar 19, 2024 3:19 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Strange Estate Question
Replies: 5
Views: 726

Re: Strange Estate Question

MrWasabi65 wrote: Tue Mar 19, 2024 2:51 pm On the same day and with the same attorney, that those documents were prepared, a separate document was signed, witnessed, notarized stating that our brother, when he sold the home, would give a certain percentage of the proceeds to the living siblings.

Where is the original of this document?

And yes, xontaxt an attorney... promptly. Start with the same attorney who drafted this.
And perhaps a quick consult with another, in case there is something off about that arrangement.

RM
by ResearchMed
Tue Mar 19, 2024 2:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: "The Call" from SSA - how do you confirm legitimacy?
Replies: 11
Views: 1847

Re: "The Call" from SSA - how do you confirm legitimacy?

Thanks for follow-up comments. Process might have changed now, as I (thus far) have only received one email (not even a message on the mySSA site) from SSA acknowledging receipt of application, saying which center was processing it (I guess I could ask them that as a means of verifying), and to expect a call: "A representative may call you for more information at the phone number you provided on your application. Please be aware that our representative may call you outside normal business hours, such as on a weekend or during the evening. If we are unable to reach you by phone, we may also contact you by e-mail or U.S. mail." This even though i selected a "preferred" time to be called on the application. PS - whenever I...
by ResearchMed
Tue Mar 19, 2024 1:40 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: "The Call" from SSA - how do you confirm legitimacy?
Replies: 11
Views: 1847

Re: "The Call" from SSA - how do you confirm legitimacy?

When they called, did they ask for your SS#? Other sensitive info? It's been several years now, so I don't remember. However, both calls came "on time" per previous written and phone communications with SSA. And they had a lot of information already, although some of it wasn't actually highly confidential. That is, both reps, separately, *knew* that we both were expecting calls, and wanted to coordinate benefits. (This was when one spouse could apply, let the other spouse get spousal while waiting for own benefits to hit age 70 level, and then first spouse temporarily stops own benefits. This is no longer possible.) We ordinarily just would *not* give out SSN or such for any incoming call, so I don't remember how the actual ID pr...
by ResearchMed
Tue Mar 19, 2024 11:12 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: "The Call" from SSA - how do you confirm legitimacy?
Replies: 11
Views: 1847

Re: "The Call" from SSA - how do you confirm legitimacy?

I completed my online SSA application a couple of weeks ago and recently received an email saying to expect a phone call from them. If you recently did this (talked on phone with SSA re application), would you please tell me what the call was like? Did they call during the timeframe you selected? Do you have to "confirm" personal info to them like SS#, etc (this is my greatest concern on an inbound call)? How did you verify that the call was actually from SSA? Thanks! We were given times for the calls, and they even got the times right so that each agent (one for each of us) called at almost the same time. We needed to coordinate spousal benefits, so one agent asked if it would be okay if just one of them handled both. Very impre...
by ResearchMed
Tue Mar 19, 2024 3:50 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 40 Minutes to Connect in DFW
Replies: 61
Views: 4655

Re: 40 Minutes to Connect in DFW

What is the "next flight" just in case you don't make the connection?
Wait 4 hours? Or the next day? Or?

Just keep that in mind when selecting your route.

If the gates are nearby and the flight is on time (or both are delayed), you should be okay.
You are on one ticket, so AA knows this is your connection, right?
And thus it is legal timing in terms of their having any responsibility, or abiiity to know about the connection on the ground in DFW?

RM
by ResearchMed
Mon Mar 18, 2024 11:38 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What frugal thing did you do today?
Replies: 4535
Views: 625697

Re: What frugal thing did you do today?

RetiredAL wrote: Mon Mar 18, 2024 11:36 pm
cheese_breath wrote: Mon Mar 18, 2024 10:54 pm Went to a pizza party last night. Host bought more pizza than necessary, offered me some of the leftovers. I accepted.

Had some of the free leftover pizza for lunch today. Put the rest in the freezer so I can have a frugal lunch some other day.
Knew a guy in college who had the left over pizza for breakfast. He warmed it up in the broiler, then put whipped egg on top, and put it back in the broiler for a couple more minutes. Basically an omelet on top of toast.

Oh, leftover pizza for breakfast is much better still cold.
Yum. And memories!
:wink:

RM
by ResearchMed
Mon Mar 18, 2024 10:44 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Nervous about giving out information
Replies: 36
Views: 3514

Re: Nervous about giving out information

If you don’t post your complete and accurate portfolio information you risk not getting the best or complete feedback or perhaps even inaccurate feedback. If you don’t want to post in this forum, find a qualified financial advisor who charges a fee to do a (private) review. It usually won't matter if someone is "off" by a few years age-wise, or ditto on children's ages (or sex), or how long married, etc. It's easy to de-personalize it such that even someone who knows you well might not realize it's you. The writing style may be something important to change a bit, if you have any sort of unusual stylistic "quirks", but that would be for someone who *already* knows you, rather than 'giving away' who you are, etc. But sur...
by ResearchMed
Mon Mar 18, 2024 10:31 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Nervous about giving out information
Replies: 36
Views: 3514

Re: Nervous about giving out information

whodidntante wrote: Mon Mar 18, 2024 10:13 pm If you don't feel comfortable, don't share. Psuedoanonymous is not the same as anonymous. I have a minority opinion on that. But still, there it is.

But also: Don't give out the real details, either.
Jumble up some of the figures, some a bit higher, some lower, maybe a couple just wacko :wink: ... but in a way that's unlikely to affect suggestions.

RM
by ResearchMed
Mon Mar 18, 2024 10:03 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Nervous about giving out information
Replies: 36
Views: 3514

Re: Nervous about giving out information

Hello! I am working hard at planning for retirement, and I'm considering posting my portfolio information using the provided template. But, how do you get past the thought of giving out so much information? I do want advice, but I'm a pretty fearful person. Am I the only one who feels this way? Welcome to BH. I suspect quite a few of us have to deal with these concerns, at least at first. (And sometimes longer!) Make sure your real name is nothing like "Cheryl". If it is, ask the mods to help you choose a new UserID that has no link to you. And if you post "specifics", mske them slightly NOT specific or accurate. For example, if you've been married for 17 years, put 15 or 19 or somethiing, when the difference is unlikel...
by ResearchMed
Mon Mar 18, 2024 9:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Princess Cruises
Replies: 2
Views: 530

Re: Princess Cruises

copenhagen227 wrote: Mon Mar 18, 2024 9:36 pm Hi! Contemplating going on a Princess Cruise w wife and 2 yo daughter: what's the difference between Princess Premiere and Princess Plus? Are either of these worth paying for?

Try asking at www.CruiseCritic.com

And especially on the Princess section there:
https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/1 ... s-cruises/

Also look on other sections, such as family cruising, etc.

Enjoy your cruise!

RM
by ResearchMed
Mon Mar 18, 2024 8:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Use RMD to pay taxes
Replies: 30
Views: 2594

Re: Use RMD to pay taxes

Can a retiree do this by making a distribution from an IRA or a 401k in the years before an RMD is required? The idea, would be to have no withholding from Social Security checks and pension checks and just make one distribution from the IRA at the end of the year with 100% withholding to cover the years taxes? Also, what is the safe harbor? Yes. What matters is that the taxes are paid through *withholding*, not where the withholding came from. It could be from RMDs, regular withdrawals from tax-deferred accounts, or making W-2 withholding (or even SS withholding) "enough" to incude ALL of the taxes due. One reason why there is a lot of discussion about using RMDs is that many people do not want to remove money from tax-deferred ...
by ResearchMed
Sun Mar 17, 2024 9:16 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Aggregation of IRA Balances to Calculate RMD
Replies: 4
Views: 538

Re: Aggregation of IRA Balances to Calculate RMD

delamer wrote: Sun Mar 17, 2024 8:37 pm Here’s the IRS guidance: https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/rm ... each%20IRA.

It seems to me that your method should work fine, except for rounding errors. But it isn’t what the IRS requires for the calculation.

To avoid any possibility of rounding error, either round up somewhat, or do as the instructions indicate and calculate each the RMD for each IRA separately, and take at least the amount of their sum from any of the IRAs (one or more).

RM
by ResearchMed
Sun Mar 17, 2024 9:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11149
Views: 2085535

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

We just finished watching Nyad.
(on Netflix)

Amazing story.

It was especially nice, at the very end (after she completed her swim, of course) that the "real" Diana and Bonnie were shown a few different times.

The word "inspiring" is not sufficient.
(Maybe a bit foolhardy, as well...)

RM
by ResearchMed
Sun Mar 17, 2024 5:38 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Alaska cruise recommendations
Replies: 27
Views: 2353

Re: Alaska cruise recommendations

Some of your questions are not "Alaska specific", and some can be.

Try browsing at
www.CruiseCritic.com

Here is a list from the TOC:
https://boards.cruisecritic.com

Try asking at the Alaska section, and "Ask a Cruise Question", etc. for information about which cruiselines and which ships.

If you cruise one way, I'd suggest South to North, especially if it's early in the season.
The scenery gets more dramatic as one leaves Vancouver (or Seattle), and some of the snow-capped mountains are gorgeous.

Hubbard Glacier was an unexpected high point for us.
Lots of calving (BIG pieces breaking off, crashing into the water).

Enjoy!

RM
by ResearchMed
Sun Mar 17, 2024 3:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Travel Medical Insurance--Primary or Secondary, Which is "Better"?
Replies: 16
Views: 1323

Re: Travel Medical Insurance--Primary or Secondary, Which is "Better"?

Nope. This isn't going to work. You are not eligible for the travel insurance you want because you are a US resident. The ACA means you live in the US. I'm guessing a simple road trip is 100% USA. Only foreign residents can buy travel medical insurance that is good in the US. No, this is for people who live in the US also who are taking road trips. Can you provide a link to the policy selling website or some way to reference the policy details that is acceptable to the forum owners. Are you asking for a link to a travel insurance broker? www.TripInsuranceStore.com We are among many here on BH who have used them. (And we've had several claims with the policy we buy from them - from Travel Insured - and it's always paid promptly without quar...
by ResearchMed
Sun Mar 17, 2024 3:21 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: credit score dropped 100+ points after Chase started reporting First Republic mortgages
Replies: 15
Views: 1986

Re: credit score dropped 100+ points after Chase started reporting First Republic mortgages

Problem is, I am about to lease a new car. Subject says it all: Chase started reporting my First Republic mortgage in February which, for some reason, had not previously been reported to the credit agencies. My score dropped from 820+ to 710 in a single month. Timing sucks! Any tips on getting it above 740 quickly ? I have about a month, maybe two. Need 740 to get a MF of 0.0009, which is very low. Yes, I know I can use MSDs but would prefer not to go that route. I use mostly a single credit card and pay it off in full each month but of course sometimes that means utilization is above 30%. So I've already taken it down below 20% and will keep it there. Anything else I can do? Thanks in advance... This type of change isn't usually a very &q...
by ResearchMed
Sun Mar 17, 2024 3:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Hybrid Pillows exist?
Replies: 13
Views: 1863

Re: Hybrid Pillows exist?

Does anyone know of a brand or type of pillow that's firm at it's core (so it doesn't go flat) but also soft and squishy all around the outside? like down fill with sink in, but not bouncy like synthetics? Thanks. Have you tried something like a v ery "firm" down pillow, a good quality one? And then fluff it each day? The extra fill shouldn't flatten that quickly, although everyone has different sleep habits that could affect this type of thing. And also sleep *preferences* of course! But my thinking is if there is a somewhat more solid "core" with somewhat regular down/feather fill around it, that will likely shift around to the sides of the core, similar to what you already notice. And then you'll be sleeping on that ...
by ResearchMed
Sun Mar 17, 2024 11:42 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Annual limit to the number of IRA to IRA transfers?
Replies: 10
Views: 865

Re: Annual limit to the number of IRA to IRA transfers?

It is not odd that indirect and direct rollovers are treated differently. The rule about indirect rollovers was changed in 2015 to prohibit the unlimited loan of IRA funds by doing sequential 60 day rollovers. Before the rule change you could have gotten the benefit of the tax deferral of the IRA contribution, while not really saving at all. Before the rule change, it would have been possible, but perhaps a bit annoying, to continuously give one's self lots of these short term loans within 365 days. But if one really needed the money, the sequential transfers would indeed work That's because where the current requirement applies per Social Security #, it was previously written per IRA account . So one would need to already have a gaggle (o...
by ResearchMed
Sun Mar 17, 2024 11:32 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Travel Medical Insurance--Primary or Secondary, Which is "Better"?
Replies: 16
Views: 1323

Re: Travel Medical Insurance--Primary or Secondary, Which is "Better"?

Nope. This isn't going to work. You are not eligible for the travel insurance you want because you are a US resident. The ACA means you live in the US. I'm guessing a simple road trip is 100% USA. Only foreign residents can buy travel medical insurance that is good in the US. No, this is for people who live in the US also who are taking road trips. OnTrack2020 is correct. You can definitely buy travel medical insurance for domestic trips. What you cannot do is use a travel medical insurance policy to fulfill the requirements of having to purchase an ACA plan, because travel medical insurance plans are not "ACA compliant". Be aware of the minimum distance limits though (among other exclusions). Here's an example travel medical ins...
by ResearchMed
Sat Mar 16, 2024 7:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Travel Medical Insurance--Primary or Secondary, Which is "Better"?
Replies: 16
Views: 1323

Re: Travel Medical Insurance--Primary or Secondary, Which is "Better"?

We are looking at getting a travel medical insurance policy, as we have an ACA health plan, for a simple road trip. Some questions specifically as it pertains to the medical part in the event of a medical emergency: 1. If we have primary health care coverage through ACA, for a travel medical policy, which would be better--a policy with primary coverage (in which if some medical emergency took place, a claim would be filed with the travel policy and not the health insurance), or a policy with secondary coverage (a claim would be filed with our ACA plan as primary and the travel policy as secondary)? 2. Which leads to a 2nd question: If the ACA plan has a high deductible, how does a travel medical insurance policy as secondary coverage work?...
by ResearchMed
Sat Mar 16, 2024 6:28 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Rollover 403b into IRA
Replies: 11
Views: 672

Re: Rollover 403b into IRA

Agreed about your point. I meant that *in general*, 403(b) plans are not covered by the ERISA act. The ERISA act itself generally carved out exemptions for government employers, IIRC. I'm still not sure what you mean about "in general". Some 403b plans are covered by ERISA, and some are not. Did you mean that the "exemptions" were that government employers *do* have ERISA coverage? Or that they do not? Our large 403b plan most definitely IS an ERISA plan, and we have nothing at all to do with any governmental employer. RM Government 403(b) plans are *NOT* for sure covered by ERISA. Private organizations (generally hospitals) that offer 403(b) plans ARE covered by ERISA. When I say ERISA carved out an exemption for gover...
by ResearchMed
Sat Mar 16, 2024 6:10 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Rollover 403b into IRA
Replies: 11
Views: 672

Re: Rollover 403b into IRA

lakpr wrote: Sat Mar 16, 2024 6:04 pm Agreed about your point. I meant that *in general*, 403(b) plans are not covered by the ERISA act. The ERISA act itself generally carved out exemptions for government employers, IIRC.

I'm still not sure what you mean about "in general". Some 403b plans are covered by ERISA, and some are not.

Did you mean that the "exemptions" were that government employers *do* have ERISA coverage? Or that they do not?

Our large 403b plan most definitely IS an ERISA plan, and we have nothing at all to do with any governmental employer.

RM
by ResearchMed
Sat Mar 16, 2024 6:02 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Rollover 403b into IRA
Replies: 11
Views: 672

Re: Rollover 403b into IRA

The pros of leaving the money within the 403(b) are: - possible creditor protections. Note that the 403(b) are *NOT* covered by the ERISA code , but since they are deemed employer plans, creditors / judgment holders will have to jump through some hoops to access that money. IRAs are governed by state law, and while about 43 states DO provide creditor protections on par with ERISA, there are still 7 states that do not. What guarantee is there that you will not travel to a state that do not protect IRAs and get into an at-fault auto-accident there (assume the liability exceeds your auto-insurance limits)? [emphasis added] I'm not sure if you are referring to any specific 403b plans, but SOME 403b plans *ARE* covered by ERISA. So before makin...
by ResearchMed
Fri Mar 15, 2024 1:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Applying for loans in retirement...
Replies: 25
Views: 2786

Re: Applying for loans in retirement...

I have done the same as Watty did. I have an excellent credit score, list ‘retired’ and use the last income amount. I have done this three times so far on store credit without issue. If they do not want my business, that is up to them. I "trained" loan underwriters at two banks on the process to calculate the amount of monthly mortgage payment supported by my investment balance. I had no regular income, just savings to fund routine expenses. We've used the approximate amount of previous years as we are starting to have income fluctuate a bit. But there is also a term for some loans that can be backed by assets: "Asset Depletion Loan". That is based upon payments as if one were to distribute one's assets over something l...
by ResearchMed
Fri Mar 15, 2024 12:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Identity theft or something to ignore?
Replies: 18
Views: 1212

Re: Identity theft or something to ignore?

Can you speak with a supervisor in Billing and just give them her name and address and ask if there are any records for such a patient... because she's never been there, etc.
Someone there should be able to find that e-address in their system!

If not, no problem... probably...
What would the collections agency do with an e-address and nothing else?

Perhaps also send a certified letter to the hospital stating the situation and asking to have the emails stop?

RM
by ResearchMed
Fri Mar 15, 2024 11:42 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Travel Health Insurance (China)?
Replies: 22
Views: 1523

Re: Travel Health Insurance (China)?

But...but...OP is feeling "fit to travel" or we wouldn't be discussing this. I'd think the only danger is sudden heart attack; broken bones in auto accident or the like- or dysentery. I believe they have perfectly adequate skills to cover most of that at way less cost- if you pay up front. I'm assuming that OP indeed feels "fit to travel", but this wouldn't necessarily be *only* in the prospective traveler's opinion. Again... the Terms & Conditions will control all of this should there be a claim. I can't go into all of the various details and possibilities... plus there is a lot of variability among the different insurers and policies. But the insurer WILL go by the T&Cs if a claim is filed. One example: In som...
by ResearchMed
Fri Mar 15, 2024 10:08 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Great news! No more [fixed real estate] agent commission
Replies: 238
Views: 22596

Re: Great news! No more agent commission

RJC wrote: Fri Mar 15, 2024 9:59 am Got this from another article:

4 Ways a Settlement Could Change the Housing Industry
1. Home prices will drop.
2. The 6 percent commission will cease to be the norm.
3. Steering — the practice of agents directing buyers to more expensive houses — will be less common.
4. About one million real estate agents could leave the profession.

Any suggestions about how agents *would* be compensated?

RM
by ResearchMed
Fri Mar 15, 2024 10:04 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Travel Health Insurance (China)?
Replies: 22
Views: 1523

Re: Travel Health Insurance (China)?

Yes, here (USA), too, if one doesn't disclose then any claim based upon that condition/history/etc., would be denied. (I'm not getting into issues of fraud and allegations thereof; I haven't heard of those, although no doubt the insurers and brokers, etc., have.) Some things they just raise your premium. Others they will decline to underwrite. But at least here (USA), there don't tend to be different premiums based upon risk factors. The underwriting might be somewhat different for those in the older/oldest age categories, and the premiums for 3rd party travel insurance do go up by age, but that's for everyone. First, if one got a poicy within the short deadline such that there are no exclusions for pre-existing conditions, then... there ar...