Search found 4197 matches

by ObliviousInvestor
Sun Mar 17, 2024 10:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Reevaluating social security
Replies: 49
Views: 4187

Re: Reevaluating social security

gunny2 wrote: Sun Mar 17, 2024 6:33 pm
ObliviousInvestor wrote: Sun Mar 17, 2024 3:20 pm Aside from the earnings test, the fact that you're still working has no effect whatsoever on the actuarial math.
Then why include it as an option to select?
Because of the earnings test.
by ObliviousInvestor
Sun Mar 17, 2024 3:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Reevaluating social security
Replies: 49
Views: 4187

Re: Reevaluating social security

It's a very well respected and well tested site, maybe you should learn about it more. Assuming that's true, something being popular doesn't sway me (in either direction) for my opinion on anything. And it's a pretty simple site with simple input/calculations; I quickly learned about all there was to learn. For examples of why I couldn't put much stock in it, I changed various parameters by checking the box at the top and it didn't change my results at all. This includes saying I was still working and entering monthly earnings ranging from $10/mo to $10,000,000/mo. Again, didn't change the results, so I have to question "well tested." To each their own though. Aside from the earnings test, the fact that you're still working has n...
by ObliviousInvestor
Fri Mar 01, 2024 12:22 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: SS benefit, divorced couple with minor child
Replies: 4
Views: 597

Re: SS benefit, divorced couple with minor child

Trying to help a family member. Father almost at FRA, significant benefit. Mother late 40's, supporting 12-year old child, low earnings record. I recently learned she could get full (unreduced) spousal benefits until child turns 16, I think? Not sure if this applies with the divorces or not. Unfortunately it does not, because she is younger than 62. There's an exception to the age-62 requirement for child-in-care spousal benefits when the couple is still married, but not after divorce. Compare paragraph (c) here: https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/cfr20/404/404-0330.htm ...to paragraph (d) here: https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/cfr20/404/404-0331.htm Alternatively, compare B4 here: https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0300202001 ...to B1c here: https:/...
by ObliviousInvestor
Sun Feb 25, 2024 5:02 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Sad news: ObliviousInvestor's mother has passed away
Replies: 8
Views: 3836

Re: Sad news: ObliviousInvestor's mother has passed away

Thank you for the kind words, everybody.

To LadyGeek or any other moderator, would it be possible to have this thread locked? I do sincerely appreciate your thoughtful comments -- and being a part of this community in general. But I don't especially want to talk about this here on the forum. (I really only mentioned it to explain why I have been slow to respond lately -- and likely will be for the near future as well.)
by ObliviousInvestor
Sun Feb 25, 2024 7:57 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Sad news: ObliviousInvestor's mother has passed away
Replies: 8
Views: 3836

Sad news: ObliviousInvestor's mother has passed away

[Moved into a new thread from: "Open Social Security" calculator: feature requests, bug reports, etc. --admin LadyGeek] Thank you for the bug report, Carl53. I believe I have fixed it. (You may have to "shift + refresh" in order to get the browser to load the latest code.) Here's an example scenario, demonstrating: https://opensocialsecurity.com/?additionalInput=true&disabilityShow=false&workingShow=false&pensionShow=false&mortalityShow=true&childrenShow=false&discountShow=false&cutShow=false&marital=divorced&discount=2.05&cutAssumption=false&cutYear=2034&cutPercent=23&aGender=male&aDOBm=4&aDOBd=15&aDOBy=1962&aDisability=false&aPIA=700&aFixedRBm...
by ObliviousInvestor
Thu Feb 08, 2024 1:45 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Help! What does SSA mean by "concurrent entitlement?"
Replies: 4
Views: 773

Re: Help! What does SSA mean by "concurrent entitlement?"

Thanks for posting citations. So, for SS, I am "eligble" at age 62, but "entitled" when I apply and get approved (like at FRA or at 70). Therefore . . . "Consider only the pension or pensions to which the worker is entitled for the first month of concurrent entitlement to the pension and the Social Security benefit." . . . means SS, when they are doing the WEP Guarantee calculation, should use the pension amount I am receiving when I first get both a SS benefit and a pension payment, right? So if I started my pension 3 years ago at $2,000 and received a 5% COLA one year ago (making my present pension $2,100), and am applying for SS benefits to begin now (as in this month), then SS will use the $2,100 figure in...
by ObliviousInvestor
Thu Feb 08, 2024 12:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Help! What does SSA mean by "concurrent entitlement?"
Replies: 4
Views: 773

Re: Help! What does SSA mean by "concurrent entitlement?"

Eligible means that a person would meet all the requirements for entitlement to benefits for a period of time but has not yet applied. Entitled means that a person has applied and has proven his or her right to benefits for a period of time. https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/cfr20/404/404-0303.htm The use the same wording with regard to pensions. B. Definitions 1. Eligible Eligible for a pension means that a person meets all requirements for the pension except for stopping work or filing an application. For more information about pension eligibility, see RS 00605.364B. 2. Entitled Entitled to a pension means a person has applied for a pension and has proven his or her rights to benefits for a given period. https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/...
by ObliviousInvestor
Wed Feb 07, 2024 4:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Rob Berger interviews Mike Piper
Replies: 46
Views: 5905

Re: Rob Berger interviews Mike Piper

In our case our taxable dividends (and pensions) are providing the bridge to the date when we claim SS, rather than being reinvested. No equities or bonds are being sold. If the dividends are mostly (70%) from equities, are we in effect drawing from future equity growth and should we instead be selling bonds from taxable? A concern with that approach would be that we are already being taxed on the dividends and unless we sell bonds where there has been no gain in price, we are bumping up our taxable income. There's rarely a "correct" answer with regard to asset allocation. If pension and taxable dividends pay the bills even prior to Social Security kicking in, it's pretty clear that you're in a situation where the spending rate f...
by ObliviousInvestor
Wed Feb 07, 2024 9:02 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Rob Berger interviews Mike Piper
Replies: 46
Views: 5905

Re: Rob Berger interviews Mike Piper

I think I heard you say on this wonderful video that when you defer SS to 70, you should spend only your bonds to finance the deferral rather than, as Rob was suggesting, withdrawing from a probabilistic (e.g., 60/40) stock/bond portfolio and rebalancing once a year. I would be interested in understanding more about the mechanics and rationales behind what you were saying. Is this covered in one of your books? I've read "Can I Retire?" but I didn't see this specific subject covered there. I would love to understand the details, so please let me know if it is covered in one of your other books. Or perhaps this is just another way of saying that you should cover your SS deferral with a LMP that you draw down between 62 and 70 witho...
by ObliviousInvestor
Wed Feb 07, 2024 7:56 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Rob Berger interviews Mike Piper
Replies: 46
Views: 5905

Re: Rob Berger interviews Mike Piper

It was a very informative interview. Thank you Mike! To me, what Mike explained about evaluating the strategy to delay claiming social security - consuming from the fixed income portion of the portfolio was the most helpful. It made the light bulb go off for me. That said, our (my wife’s) situation is clear as mud and it appears impossible to clearly plan. The issue is GPO and WEP. As Mike explained, the calculations aren’t that difficult. The problem we are running into is we do not know what is her pension equivalent for the WEP/GPO purpose. She worked for a University for 19 years which was exempt from social security tax and contributed to a state pension system. Part ways through her employment, they offered an option and she took to ...
by ObliviousInvestor
Wed Feb 07, 2024 7:25 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Rob Berger interviews Mike Piper
Replies: 46
Views: 5905

Re: Rob Berger interviews Mike Piper

I think I heard you say on this wonderful video that when you defer SS to 70, you should spend only your bonds to finance the deferral rather than, as Rob was suggesting, withdrawing from a probabilistic (e.g., 60/40) stock/bond portfolio and rebalancing once a year. I would be interested in understanding more about the mechanics and rationales behind what you were saying. Is this covered in one of your books? I've read "Can I Retire?" but I didn't see this specific subject covered there. I would love to understand the details, so please let me know if it is covered in one of your other books. Or perhaps this is just another way of saying that you should cover your SS deferral with a LMP that you draw down between 62 and 70 witho...
by ObliviousInvestor
Tue Feb 06, 2024 7:59 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Rob Berger interviews Mike Piper
Replies: 46
Views: 5905

Re: Rob Berger interviews Mike Piper

I think I heard you say on this wonderful video that when you defer SS to 70, you should spend only your bonds to finance the deferral rather than, as Rob was suggesting, withdrawing from a probabilistic (e.g., 60/40) stock/bond portfolio and rebalancing once a year. I would be interested in understanding more about the mechanics and rationales behind what you were saying. Is this covered in one of your books? I've read "Can I Retire?" but I didn't see this specific subject covered there. I would love to understand the details, so please let me know if it is covered in one of your other books. Or perhaps this is just another way of saying that you should cover your SS deferral with a LMP that you draw down between 62 and 70 witho...
by ObliviousInvestor
Sun Feb 04, 2024 4:56 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Rob Berger interviews Mike Piper
Replies: 46
Views: 5905

Re: Rob Berger interviews Mike Piper

This was so informative and he is easy to follow. I only wish he had discussed the Widow's Limit Provision (or called something like that) where if the higher earning spouse claims before their FRA and has a decreased benefit, and dies before the lower earner, the survivor benefit can be bumped up to 82.5% of the deceased full PIA amount, instead of what might be a lower amount that they were actually receiving. I would have loved to hear him explain a scenario with this, because often when I think I have it figured out I don't. I do believe this is modeled on his calculator though, when you see the chart of yearly income and a bump when a survivor benefit is involved. I am not sure if when the lower earning spouse claims their own (if ear...
by ObliviousInvestor
Sun Feb 04, 2024 3:09 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Inherited Roth that was created with multiple conversions
Replies: 24
Views: 2093

Re: Inherited Roth that was created with multiple conversions

Seems like maybe some dispute on the earnings portion only and only if earnings are withdrawn before the 5 year. It still seems to me that each beneficiary should know what their earnings portion is and tax would be due only on earnings and only if that portion was taken out before the 5 year. (I am assuming new earnings since inherited also taxable if taken before the original owner 5 yr period is over. The 5-year clock for earnings starts on January 1 of the year a Roth IRA was first established for this person. (Please see IRC 408A(d)(2)(B) linked to above.) Prior to those 5 years elapsing, distributions of earnings will be taxable as income but (because the original owner is deceased) not subject to 10% penalty. After those 5 years hav...
by ObliviousInvestor
Sun Feb 04, 2024 2:22 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Inherited Roth that was created with multiple conversions
Replies: 24
Views: 2093

Re: Inherited Roth that was created with multiple conversions

Is anybody even disagreeing here?

The 10% penalty isn't applicable, because it's an inherited IRA.

Distributions of contributions aren't taxable, because they never are.

Distributions of conversions aren't taxable, because they never are.

Distributions of earnings won't be taxable, once you have met the 5-year rule for earnings (i.e., based on the date a Roth was first created, and having nothing to do with any conversions at later dates).

Order of distributions is: contributions, conversions, earnings.
by ObliviousInvestor
Sun Feb 04, 2024 2:05 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Rob Berger interviews Mike Piper
Replies: 46
Views: 5905

Re: Rob Berger interviews Mike Piper

Well worth watching if you haven't yet begun taking social security. Mike's website provided an insight into claiming social security that I had thought about but never attempted to quantify by answering the question; what generates the highest expected lifetime amount of payments? But Mike also says it's ok to think in terms of delaying in order to qualify for the largest monthly payment as longevity insurance even if delaying doesn't yield the highest expected total lifetime payments. I would go further than to say that it's "OK" to think in those terms. I think it is a mistake not to consider the longevity aspect. My suggestion as noted in the video is to run the calculator using whatever mortality table(s) seems most suitable...
by ObliviousInvestor
Sun Feb 04, 2024 1:34 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Inherited Roth that was created with multiple conversions
Replies: 24
Views: 2093

Re: Inherited Roth that was created with multiple conversions

It maybe helpful to note that, when figuring out how a distribution is taxed, there are a few different pools of money:
1) Contributions,
2) Conversions (with each converted amount being tracked separately), and
3) Earnings.

But earnings are just earnings. It doesn't matter whether they're earnings on a contribution, earnings on ConversionA, earnings on ConversionB, etc. It's just earnings. So once the requirements have been met for distributions of earnings to be qualified distributions, the requirements have been met -- that's it.

The 5-year rule for distributions of earnings comes from 408A(d)(2)(B) for anybody who wants to read it.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/26/408A#d
by ObliviousInvestor
Sun Feb 04, 2024 9:44 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Rob Berger interviews Mike Piper
Replies: 46
Views: 5905

Re: Rob Berger interviews Mike Piper

Here is our question. Most of your talks that we have heard talk about the spouse with the larger benefit or larger earnings record, but I have rarely heard you mention if both spouses have an equal earnings history and equal benefit. That happens to be our situation after a nearly 40 year dual income household. All expenses in the household are covered by pension + one income, so the thought was to delay SS. At the point of my retiring, if we stick to plan, my wife would be near or at 70 and could begin her SS stream, and if there were any expense gaps to fill, we have the TIPS and I Bonds ladder to fill any gap until I would file for my SS. What are your thoughts on a dual income household that have nearly equal earnings records and very...
by ObliviousInvestor
Sun Feb 04, 2024 9:25 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Rob Berger interviews Mike Piper
Replies: 46
Views: 5905

Re: Rob Berger interviews Mike Piper

dcabler wrote: Sat Feb 03, 2024 4:06 pm
TheDogFather wrote: Fri Feb 02, 2024 1:12 pm Excellent interview.

I must say that I found Mike Piper’s ‘fugitive’ beard a little troubling. :D
For me, it's what the video was doing to his eyes....
I don't know what to tell you. I don't think the video did anything to my eyes. That's...just what my eyes look like.
InvestorHowie wrote: Sat Feb 03, 2024 5:14 pm I know Rob didn't have time to get to several of the submitted questions (including my own) so I hope that he shared those questions with Mike as well so he might respond to some here as time allows.
There were lots of questions. If you have one that you feel was not answered, please feel free to ask.
by ObliviousInvestor
Fri Jan 26, 2024 4:45 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fee-Only Advisor $450/Hour: Total Rip-Off?
Replies: 97
Views: 8148

Re: Fee-Only Advisor $450/Hour: Total Rip-Off?

stan1 wrote: Fri Jan 26, 2024 12:36 pm There is also Mark Zoril Planvision that is pretty much a unicorn where a highly knowledgeable expert who could charge $450 or more per hour has chosen instead to help people and be accessible rather than maximize his income.
It's also worth noting that at $450/hour, Allan Roth and Rick Ferri (as two examples of people who charge that rate) aren't even close to maximizing their income. They're both booked way in advance and could easily fill their schedules charging a higher rate. They're still making a point to charge less than they could, solely in order to make it more affordable.
by ObliviousInvestor
Sat Dec 30, 2023 9:06 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bogleheads Conference 2023 Videos Now Available!
Replies: 26
Views: 4677

Re: Bogleheads Conference 2023 Videos Now Available!

confuzzled wrote: Sat Dec 30, 2023 8:38 am I am not a video watcher and can’t find any way to listen to the audio of a YouTube video with my iPhone screen turned off (ie while driving or exercising).
You can do this with Safari on iPhone. Play the video in a Safari tab. Then lock the screen. Then from the lock screen you'll have a "play" option which resumes the sound.

Here's a video showing how it works if a visual guide is more helpful.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3zVIpZAsUs
by ObliviousInvestor
Fri Dec 29, 2023 7:28 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What does Fiduciary Duty Mean (get you) in Practice?
Replies: 40
Views: 4221

Re: What does Fiduciary Duty Mean (get you) in Practice?

Because the Fiduciary Rule with teeth was never passed, it's the Wild West - anyone can call themselves a fiduciary. Thanks Sandi. Is the [above] correct? Presumably there is some sort of training or certification in place isn't there? I"m not doubting you, just asking for confirmation. No, it's not correct. Brokers and insurance agents still do not have a fiduciary duty in many cases. It's an ongoing saga. Here's a recent article: https://www.investmentnews.com/regulation-and-legislation/news/dol-hearing-parses-intersection-of-best-interest-and-annuity-sales-247045 However, it is true that being a fiduciary does not mean much of anything. People in positions with fiduciary duty still take advantage of their clients in all manner of w...
by ObliviousInvestor
Thu Dec 28, 2023 9:32 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bogleheads Conference 2023 Videos Now Available!
Replies: 26
Views: 4677

Re: Bogleheads Conference 2023 Videos Now Available!

AlwaysLearningMore wrote: Thu Dec 28, 2023 2:40 pm Mike Piper's ability to explain financial concepts is impressive.
Thank you for the kind words. I'm happy to hear you have enjoyed the videos. :)
by ObliviousInvestor
Thu Dec 28, 2023 8:28 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What does Fiduciary Duty Mean (get you) in Practice?
Replies: 40
Views: 4221

Re: What does Fiduciary Duty Mean (get you) in Practice?

Because the Fiduciary Rule with teeth was never passed, it's the Wild West - anyone can call themselves a fiduciary. Thanks Sandi. Is the [above] correct? Presumably there is some sort of training or certification in place isn't there? I"m not doubting you, just asking for confirmation. No, it's not correct. Brokers and insurance agents still do not have a fiduciary duty in many cases. It's an ongoing saga. Here's a recent article: https://www.investmentnews.com/regulation-and-legislation/news/dol-hearing-parses-intersection-of-best-interest-and-annuity-sales-247045 However, it is true that being a fiduciary does not mean much of anything. People in positions with fiduciary duty still take advantage of their clients in all manner of w...
by ObliviousInvestor
Sat Dec 23, 2023 12:10 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bogleheads Conference 2023 Videos Now Available!
Replies: 26
Views: 4677

Re: Bogleheads Conference 2023 Videos Now Available!

LadyGeek wrote: Sat Dec 23, 2023 12:06 pm I'm an editor for the Bogleheads YouTube channel and never noticed the visibility wasn't set correctly. Although Doctor Rich did all the work, I should have seen this.

Sorry about that. I have changed all of the 2023 Conference videos to "Public".
Thank you!
by ObliviousInvestor
Sat Dec 23, 2023 10:36 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bogleheads Conference 2023 Videos Now Available!
Replies: 26
Views: 4677

Re: Bogleheads Conference 2023 Videos Now Available!

InvestInPasta wrote: Sat Dec 23, 2023 2:48 am Thank you. Would it be possible to make the videos public, perhaps in a YouTube playlist on your channel?
Currently, they are all 'unlisted', and it's inconvenient to watch them directly from the YouTube app. I have to open the website and follow the video link from there. It's quite inconvenient to watch them on TV because I can't simply scroll through the YouTube app; instead, I have to open the browser on the TV
I just passed along the request to Rich, who is the admin for the YouTube channel. I'm 99% sure that was the plan anyway.

Please be patient though, as I'm sure he has various family stuff and holiday preparations going on at the moment. (Not to mention work, potentially. Doctors don't necessarily get the holidays off!)
by ObliviousInvestor
Thu Dec 21, 2023 3:34 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bogleheads Conference 2023 Videos Now Available!
Replies: 26
Views: 4677

Bogleheads Conference 2023 Videos Now Available!

Hello, Bogleheads!

As of today, the videos from the 2023 Bogleheads Conference are available.

The videos from Friday's Bogleheads University event (both the 101 and 501 tracks) can be found here:
https://boglecenter.net/bogleheads-university/

And the videos from the Saturday and Sunday sessions can be found here:
https://boglecenter.net/2023conference/

We hope that you enjoy them.

The conference is supported by the John C. Bogle Center for Financial Literacy, a non-profit organization approved by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) public charity on February 6, 2012. Tax-deductible donations to the Bogle Center are appreciated.

Happy Holidays, from the Board of the John C Bogle Center for Financial Literacy.
by ObliviousInvestor
Tue Dec 19, 2023 7:58 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: "Open Social Security" calculator: feature requests, bug reports, etc.
Replies: 641
Views: 88301

Re: "Open Social Security" calculator: feature requests, bug reports, etc.

Harry Livermore wrote: Tue Dec 19, 2023 7:45 am Thanks again for the excellent tool, the book, and all your efforts. Hat tip again to Neurosphere as well, if he's reading this.
Thank you for the kind words.
Harry Livermore wrote: Tue Dec 19, 2023 7:45 am I wait until 70 to claim, my benefit will be large enough that she'll get some survivor benefit after the GPO, but not so if I retire at 67.
I see this (or similar) quite often (i.e., a situation where there is a survivor benefit possibility, in spite of GPO, if the spouse without the pension waits to file). It's a surprise to many people.
by ObliviousInvestor
Fri Dec 15, 2023 2:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: "Open Social Security" calculator: feature requests, bug reports, etc.
Replies: 641
Views: 88301

Re: "Open Social Security" calculator: feature requests, bug reports, etc.

Leif wrote: Fri Dec 15, 2023 2:15 pm I just had a conversation with SS agent. She told me my wife is not eligible for spouse benefits. Told surprise for me. Here is my story.

At 66 I applied for spousal benefits. My wife applied for her own benefit at 64. I'm now 70. I have started to receive my own benefit with the delayed retirement credits.

The agent told me my wife is not eligible for spousal benefits based on my new benefits.

Is this correct?
No way to know without more info.

If her PIA is greater than or equal to half of your PIA, she is not eligible for a spousal benefit. That would be the most likely explanation. (Note that we're comparing PIAs here, not the monthly retirement benefits that you're receiving.)
by ObliviousInvestor
Thu Dec 14, 2023 11:49 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: "Open Social Security" calculator: feature requests, bug reports, etc.
Replies: 641
Views: 88301

Re: "Open Social Security" calculator: feature requests, bug reports, etc.

frugalor wrote: Thu Dec 14, 2023 11:47 am I can't say I understand what exactly it's going on. But I fiddled around with the months as well and I got different results. So It's some math to calculate the optimized outcome.
The "about" page explains what the calculator is doing -- scroll down to "How Does the Calculator Work" on that page. The whole thing is fundamentally about mortality math, so every change to the DoB can at least potentially change the output.
by ObliviousInvestor
Thu Dec 14, 2023 11:35 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: "Open Social Security" calculator: feature requests, bug reports, etc.
Replies: 641
Views: 88301

Re: "Open Social Security" calculator: feature requests, bug reports, etc.

Is there some law change for people born around 1971 or 1972? When changing the spouse born year from 1971 to 1972, I get different recommendations: There is no relevant rule change from 1971 to 1972 DoBs. The point here is simply that the calculator is doing actuarial math. And when we change the spouses' respective ages, it changes the relevant joint life expectancies. Consider a couple both age 62. Their first-to-die and second-to-die joint life expectancies are whatever they are (depends on health etc). Now imagine that SpouseA is 62 and SpouseB is 72. The joint life expectancies are shorter. Now imagine that SpouseA is 62 and SpouseB is 52. The joint life expectancies are longer. In the example you're looking at, frugalor, the change ...
by ObliviousInvestor
Thu Dec 14, 2023 9:54 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: "Open Social Security" calculator: feature requests, bug reports, etc.
Replies: 641
Views: 88301

Re: "Open Social Security" calculator: feature requests, bug reports, etc.

Harry Livermore wrote: Thu Dec 14, 2023 9:47 am I assumed that the benefit is a straightforward calculation of 2/3rds the non-SSA pension subtracted from my PIA...
Well, yes, we subtract 2/3 of her noncovered government pension from her survivor benefit.

But, before we do that subtraction, her survivor benefit would only be equal to your PIA if:
a) you died before your FRA without having filed for your retirement benefit or you filed for your retirement benefit exactly at your FRA,
b) she files for her survivor benefit after reaching her survivor FRA, and
c) she has no retirement benefit of her own.

(The book does explain survivor benefit calculations.)
by ObliviousInvestor
Sun Dec 10, 2023 8:03 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Annual [Bogleheads] conference 2023
Replies: 42
Views: 15238

Re: Annual [Bogleheads] conference 2023

Just an update on the videos. I had originally been told that they'd be ready early November, and I passed that information along. Well, the video crew did get the videos to us in early November. What I hadn't realized is that there were further steps still needed at that point. Essentially, the raw video footage is specifically of the person(s) speaking -- no footage of the monitor showing the slides. So when creating the videos for distribution, the video editors were working with 1) footage of the speaker and 2) a pdf of each session's slides, and they had to figure out at which moments in each video to splice in a shot of each slide. And they did a great job of that. But we realized that while it was overwhelmingly correct, there were s...
by ObliviousInvestor
Mon Nov 27, 2023 4:11 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: IT’S TIME: REGISTER FOR THE 2023 BOGLEHEADS CONFERENCE
Replies: 128
Views: 29849

Re: IT’S TIME: REGISTER FOR THE 2023 BOGLEHEADS CONFERENCE

PowderDay9 wrote: Sat Nov 25, 2023 3:45 pm
ObliviousInvestor wrote: Wed Oct 25, 2023 3:08 pm
Yxin1235 wrote: Wed Oct 25, 2023 2:47 pm Does someone know when the video recordings of the 2023 conference will be released to public?
The video team told us early November was their projection. I am not personally involved with this effort in any way though, so I cannot say 100% confidently whether that is still the expected timeline.
Anyone have an update on when the conference videos may be available?
They should be available very soon. It's final finishing touch type work being done now, and then they'll all have to be uploaded to YouTube.
by ObliviousInvestor
Mon Oct 30, 2023 10:48 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Annual [Bogleheads] conference 2023
Replies: 42
Views: 15238

Re: Annual [Bogleheads] conference 2023

Leesbro63 wrote: Mon Oct 30, 2023 10:41 am Any idea when to expect the podcasts from the 2023 conference for those of us who did not go?
The video team initially told us that they expect the videos to be ready for YouTube in early November. I can't say with 100% certainty though whether that timeline is still correct, as it's not a project with which I am directly involved.
by ObliviousInvestor
Wed Oct 25, 2023 3:08 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: IT’S TIME: REGISTER FOR THE 2023 BOGLEHEADS CONFERENCE
Replies: 128
Views: 29849

Re: IT’S TIME: REGISTER FOR THE 2023 BOGLEHEADS CONFERENCE

Yxin1235 wrote: Wed Oct 25, 2023 2:47 pm Does someone know when the video recordings of the 2023 conference will be released to public?
The video team told us early November was their projection. I am not personally involved with this effort in any way though, so I cannot say 100% confidently whether that is still the expected timeline.
by ObliviousInvestor
Wed Oct 18, 2023 2:35 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: IT’S TIME: REGISTER FOR THE 2023 BOGLEHEADS CONFERENCE
Replies: 128
Views: 29849

Re: IT’S TIME: REGISTER FOR THE 2023 BOGLEHEADS CONFERENCE

fr4nc0 wrote: Wed Oct 18, 2023 1:31 pm
ObliviousInvestor wrote: Wed Oct 18, 2023 12:43 pm On Monday we sent out a post-conference email with some useful information for attendees, as well as a survey link to get feedback.

I know some people here mentioned not having received the earlier emails we were sending out. If you didn't receive an email on Monday, please get in touch with us at secretary@bogle.center so that we can send it your way. We really want your input/feedback to help make future events as valuable as possible for attendees.
Yea, I did a search in my gmail inbox and spam folder; nothing appeared so far.
I'm starting to worry that something is happening at the ISP level (or something similar) that is blocking the emails for a significant number of people.
by ObliviousInvestor
Wed Oct 18, 2023 12:43 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: IT’S TIME: REGISTER FOR THE 2023 BOGLEHEADS CONFERENCE
Replies: 128
Views: 29849

Re: IT’S TIME: REGISTER FOR THE 2023 BOGLEHEADS CONFERENCE

On Monday we sent out a post-conference email with some useful information for attendees, as well as a survey link to get feedback.

I know some people here mentioned not having received the earlier emails we were sending out. If you didn't receive an email on Monday, please get in touch with us at secretary@bogle.center so that we can send it your way. We really want your input/feedback to help make future events as valuable as possible for attendees.
by ObliviousInvestor
Wed Oct 18, 2023 9:27 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Annual [Bogleheads] conference 2023
Replies: 42
Views: 15238

Re: Annual [Bogleheads] conference 2023

KlangFool wrote: Wed Oct 18, 2023 7:56 am
vededju wrote: Wed Oct 18, 2023 7:04 am Hi all, I had to leave early from the DC conference to catch the flight. So I missed the announcement for the location of the 2024 conference. Could someone post the announced location? Thanks!!
We are not supposed to post this publicly. A few hundred Bogleheads is a good target for financial salesperson.

KlangFool
The hush-hush nature of conference locations from years past was not due to a fear of financial salespeople (I can't imagine a less lucrative audience for a financial salesperson!) but rather because there were some security concerns with Jack being there in person.
by ObliviousInvestor
Tue Oct 17, 2023 6:25 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: IT’S TIME: REGISTER FOR THE 2023 BOGLEHEADS CONFERENCE
Replies: 128
Views: 29849

Re: IT’S TIME: REGISTER FOR THE 2023 BOGLEHEADS CONFERENCE

Fortune wrote: Tue Oct 17, 2023 5:36 am I attended 2023 conference as a first time attendee. Quality of information shared and arrangements were excellent. Appreciate all the dedicated speakers and volunteers.

QQ: The slide decks from Friday 10/13 were shared. Is there a page to review slide decks from 10/14 and 15 sessions. Thanks
To the extent that slides were used, the download links are available on the 2023 conference page, right after the name of the presentation and presenter (e.g., "11:00-11:50am EDT: Wade Pfau in conversation with Jim Dahle (download slides)").

https://boglecenter.net/2023conference/
by ObliviousInvestor
Mon Oct 16, 2023 12:55 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bogle Center donation receipts (conference)
Replies: 0
Views: 574

Bogle Center donation receipts (conference)

Thank you to everybody who joined us at the conference this year! I'm preparing receipts for people who donated to the Bogle Center in person during the event, and there are two donations that were made for which no contact information was provided. (We have the names but no contact info.) I'll provide name initials below rather than full names, because of course we want to protect people's privacy. "DH" -- actual cash donation "BB and JG" -- donation via check with a crossed-out Chapel Hill address. If you are either of the above parties, if you could please email me at mpiper@bogle.center, I could then provide you with a receipt for your donation to the Bogle Center. Thank you, Mike Piper Treasurer John C. Bogle Center...
by ObliviousInvestor
Thu Oct 12, 2023 2:56 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What's Your Funded Ratio?
Replies: 106
Views: 15125

Re: What's Your Funded Ratio?

Apologies if it felt like I was singling you out. I mostly just wanted to reiterate my intention with the spreadsheet, and yours was simply the most recent post to have mentioned it. I have appreciated your contributions in this discussion. I believe (or at least hope) we all understand the intentions of your spreadsheet. I hope you don't regard criticisms of the funded ratio as criticisms of your work, which is much appreciated. I don't. And for what it's worth, criticisms of my work are also welcome/appreciated. I've learned quite a lot from the people here. I just didn't want anybody to think that the (very simple) spreadsheet was intended to be something more than what it is, and I hadn't been sure that I was sufficiently clear about t...
by ObliviousInvestor
Thu Oct 12, 2023 2:08 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What's Your Funded Ratio?
Replies: 106
Views: 15125

Re: What's Your Funded Ratio?

iceport wrote: Thu Oct 12, 2023 11:45 am ...
Apologies if it felt like I was singling you out. I mostly just wanted to reiterate my intention with the spreadsheet, and yours was simply the most recent post to have mentioned it. I have appreciated your contributions in this discussion.
by ObliviousInvestor
Thu Oct 12, 2023 12:50 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: IT’S TIME: REGISTER FOR THE 2023 BOGLEHEADS CONFERENCE
Replies: 128
Views: 29849

Re: IT’S TIME: REGISTER FOR THE 2023 BOGLEHEADS CONFERENCE

And this email went out September 19. --- Dear Bogleheads Conference Attendees, We can’t believe it either, but the annual Bogleheads conference is now less than a month away. Many of our speakers are also authors, and we’ve set aside a slot in the agenda (2:50-3:15 ET on Saturday, October 14) for book signings. We won’t have any books for sale onsite, but if you’d like to bring a book or two or three of your own for signings, we encourage you to do so. Here’s a link to each author’s Amazon page in case you’d like to order there. Please note that all conference attendees will be receiving a copy of Jordan Grumet’s book, Taking Stock: A Hospice Doctor’s Advice on Building Financial Independence, Building Wealth, and Living a Regret-Free Life...
by ObliviousInvestor
Thu Oct 12, 2023 12:48 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: IT’S TIME: REGISTER FOR THE 2023 BOGLEHEADS CONFERENCE
Replies: 128
Views: 29849

Re: IT’S TIME: REGISTER FOR THE 2023 BOGLEHEADS CONFERENCE

Just wanted to check, has there been any recent email correspondence for attendees? I haven't received anything since I registered back in April. Thanks! Yes, there have been a few. We have sent them out via the address bogleheadsconference@bogle.center in case you want to add that to your "safe" contact list. (Though at this point I don't think there will be any further emails until after the conference.) This one went out yesterday morning: ----- Dear Bogleheads Conference Attendees, We are looking forward to seeing you at the 2023 Bogleheads Conference, kicking off on Friday in Rockville, Maryland. We have an action-packed agenda and hope that everyone will have a wonderful weekend. Here are some details about the conference. ...
by ObliviousInvestor
Wed Oct 11, 2023 9:20 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What's Your Funded Ratio?
Replies: 106
Views: 15125

Re: What's Your Funded Ratio?

I'll note that in response to my request for a response to a specific example, one funded ratio advocate said nothing and another said the matter was too complicated and I should sign up for a chance of a free trial of an apparently complicated tool. Not only that, but I get the impression that BobK and I are suggesting that the funded ratio be used in completely different ways! The way I've done the analysis using Wade Pfau's FR tool, and the way it appears that Mike Piper suggests using it, is as an overall, holistic retirement readiness *reality check*. ("Are your assets and liabilities in the same ballpark?") The huge difference in complexity between the Pfau calculator and the Piper spreadsheet just reflects the vast differe...
by ObliviousInvestor
Sat Oct 07, 2023 2:56 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Annual [Bogleheads] conference 2023
Replies: 42
Views: 15238

Re: Annual [Bogleheads] conference 2023

KlangFool wrote: Sat Oct 07, 2023 1:39 pm Could someone please confirm the following for me in terms of the conference?

1) Breakfast and lunch is provided for Saturday 10/14/2023.

2) Dinner is provided for Saturday 10/14/2023 if you sign up for the banquet.

3) Breakfast is provided for Sunday 10/15/2023.
Yes, that's correct.
by ObliviousInvestor
Fri Oct 06, 2023 3:07 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What's Your Funded Ratio?
Replies: 106
Views: 15125

Re: What's Your Funded Ratio?

Harry Livermore wrote: Fri Oct 06, 2023 2:59 pm Holy smokes. Thanks Mike. I never would have bumbled my way to that.
"PMT" is just a useful Excel function to know about in general. It's the way to "solve for X" when X is the periodic payment and we have the PV, FV, and discount rate as a given. Can also be used to calculate a mortgage payment, calculate the amount that has to be saved per month to hit a certain savings goal (ignoring investment volatility of course...), and other similar use cases.
by ObliviousInvestor
Fri Oct 06, 2023 2:55 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What's Your Funded Ratio?
Replies: 106
Views: 15125

Re: What's Your Funded Ratio?

The concept seems clear, but it's not clear to me that I know (or can know) all my future expenses. Indeed. I would say that our uncertainty is mostly, and always has been, uncertainty about our future expenses. It is common to see charts and simulators that show you the distribution of future terminal wealth, but I've yet to see one that shows anything about the distribution of total future expenses. Which would obviously be pretty obviously viciously upwardly skewed. This only speaks to one part of retirement spending (health care), but you might find it interesting. https://mrdrc.isr.umich.edu/publications/papers/pdf/wp436.pdf (full paper) https://crr.bc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/IB_22-14.pdf (brief from the paper) On the topic of ...
by ObliviousInvestor
Fri Oct 06, 2023 2:51 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What's Your Funded Ratio?
Replies: 106
Views: 15125

Re: What's Your Funded Ratio?

Harry Livermore wrote: Fri Oct 06, 2023 2:43 pm Anybody on this thread know how to make a dead-simple formula in Mike's sheet for a "safe spend" amount? The same number every year that makes a funded ratio of 100%?
I tried adding the NPV of retirement income plus the portfolio amount, divided by the number of years. But that results in a smaller total spend, with a funded ratio over 100%...
My Excel game is weak. There, I admit it.
Cheers
=-pmt(CellWithDiscountrate,NumberOfYears,CellWithPortfolioValue+CellWithPVofIncome,0)