Bogleheads.org

Whelandw,
I understand your frustration as I experienced it as well from well-meaning but under-trained TSP CSRs. Elevation to a supervisor did little in my case. It was only after my Congressional Representative office made an inquiry did my case go to the Enhanced Resolution Team who reviewed the file, saw the TSP error, and resolved it. That took over 6 weeks from ERT contact to checks in hand. I recommend doing something similar.

I did a quick scenario using IShares iBonds Dec23 Term Treasury (IBTD). If you bought at NAV on Friday, 03 Feb, ($24.69) and held to maturity on 15 Dec 23, you would receive $25 plus the interest payments made between now and then. I calculated this by subtracting the current value of the holding from par value and then dividing by the number of outstanding shares. IShares calculates current weighted YTM of the holdings is 4.63% less the .07% fee realizing a 4.56% YTM. I don't see it much different than holding a bond ladder with many holdings because that's what it is. As others have said, it would be a viable alternative to self-creating a bond ladder for those like my wife who have little interest in managing a portfolio. I liken it to b...

On 03 Feb 23, TSP posted on its website acknowledgement of programming issues involving installment payments. The proposed work-around is to take partial withdrawals but with two stipulations: minimum amounts must be $1000 and can only be done every 30 days. No ETA on a fix. I suspect this programming issue also is involved in reported missing RMD catch-up payments from the end of 2022 as well as tax withholding issues others have experienced. These "growing pains" with Accenture Federal is having real-world consequences to a number of folks in the system. I recommend those affected contact their Congressional Representative offices to report their issue(s) with TSP to alert them to these problems. While they may be generally awar...

I am not sure where MnD found the information on website/back office updates since nothing along those lines are reflected on the TSP website, FRTIB minutes, or GovExec / FedWeek that I have found. If true and successful (not a sure thing with the current contractor/subs which have been formally in place since May 2022), then perhaps some/many/all the current issues will be resolved. Another thing to keep in mind is the inability to convert Traditional TSP money to Roth TSP. This has been a known request from participants since at least 2017 but not acted on due to antiquated back-office software per the FRTIB. I had hopes when they announced and implemented the out-sourcing of back-office processes, but nothing has been suggested along tho...

I made the decision to close my TSP account after a partial withdrawal SNAFU involving Combat Zone Tax Exempt money in a Traditional TSP account (see my other posts on the issue for more info). I did a direct rollover to my Traditional IRA via FBO check for the taxable portion and an indirect rollover to my Roth IRA with the tax exempt money. I chose physical checks vice ACH to have some control and not get lost in the system. The 1099-Rs I just received correctly characterized these activities as non-taxable events. The G Fund was not worth it to me for the time and headaches the TSP systemic problems were causing. Based on other issues (e.g., missing/incorrect RMDs, undocumented minimum partial distribution requirements, missing beneficia...

2retire, I had a different TSP issue (commingling of taxable and Combat Zone tax exempt funds in a distribution) that forced me to contact my Congressional Representative to gain traction on the issue after 4 weeks of my trying through the CSR interface. It only took two days after the inquiry for TSP to elevate and begin resolving the issue (but that took over three additional weeks of internal TSP processing). Once resolved, I closed my TSP account and transferred the monies to my Traditional and Roth IRAs to avoid more growing pains / issues. I also wrote back to my Representative outlining the process resolution timelines and opined there are likely more customer-facing issues due in part to the out-sourcing of both back- and front-offi...

To follow up my post from before, regarding TSP's commingling of taxable and Combat Zone tax exempt funds in my partial distribution, I had to involve my Congressperson to send an inquiry after four weeks of getting nowhere with CSRs and supervisors. Within two days of the inquiry, I received a call from the Enhanced Response Team. I (re) explained the situation and she would look into it. Three days later, the ERT member said it was TSP's fault and they would rectify it by cancelling the check and re-issue two checks (rollover of taxable and send tax-exempt to me). From that statement, it took TSP 3 weeks of internal processing to cancel and re-issue. I finally received the checks on 19 Dec. Upon receipt, I called TSP (direct to the ERT) a...

I see nothing horribly wrong with either of these approaches if one wants to maintain about a constant 10-year maturity for some reason, although there would be slightly less trading costs with a rolling ladder, in which proceeds from a maturing bond (no trading costs) are used to buy the long rung in the ladder at auction (no trading costs Kevin, I'm confused. Doesn't this approach give you an average maturity of a little less than five years? By rolling a ten every three months the "price" of your protfolio remains fairly constant. I didn't specify the long rung of the ladder, but this is a good question. To get a duration approximately the same as rolling a 10-year every 3 months, with a rolling ladder with bonds held to matur...

I would like to provide another data point regarding TSP rollovers. Of note, I have approximately 1% in tax exempt funds in my traditional TSP which requires proration when a distribution is made per TSP policy. On 12 Oct, I attempted to do a partial distribution rollover from my tradition TSP account to Schwab. I wanted to rollover my pre-tax to my Schwab IRA via a FBO check to me as well as a separate check of the tax exempt funds to me so I could deposit them into my Schwab Roth IRA (already received Schwab's paperwork to allow this to happen). I went through the website all the way to the end for submission when it errored out and said to call the Thriftline. I called the Thriftline (under 2 minutes on hold) and worked with an agent to ...

Resurrecting an older thread. In light of the current rate environment, has anyone's thoughts changed on purchasing SPIAs? I ask as I am looking at period certain SPIAs (30 years) with an annual 4% bump on contract anniversary. This results in ~$206,000-$216,000 total return over 30 years with a $100,000 investment today (total depends on if I start taking income next month versus next year). XIRR comes out to ~4.7% for both. What I seek is a stable income stream supplement that meets/beats inflation over the years in a relatively less risky product recognizing the income stream ends in 30 years. This investment would replace a Vanguard/Transamerica non-qualified variable annuity we bought in 1993 (it's annuitization XIRR is 4% regardless o...

I just set up my new login with no issues - took about 10 minutes. Once in, I played around and found the website is just OK (desktop only user). While the account balances are accurate, missing is all my old account information - the site only shows info from 31 May forward. I suspect they will be backloading the old data over time on a not-to-interfere basis (think weekend nights and federal holidays). Also missing are some of the old tools like the annuity calculator. I liked having that tool readily available even without logging in to get a sense of what are return possibilities. As the backloading progresses, the site matures, and I become accustomed to the navigation, it will be fine. If/when I decide to consolidate all retirement ac...

OP, I believe your thinking sound. I ran your numbers against total payout using the joint life expectancy tables to come up with an average ROI for each of the annuities. For the early annuity, it would equal 1.85%/year over 49 years and for the retirement age one it translates to 6.06%/year over 26 years assuming $83000 invested. In both cases, I think you could do better investing the lump sum and neither annuity would likely fill a cash flow deficit given your $5MM net worth.

FWIW, the Federal Thrift Savings Plan has a historical list of annuity rates per month since 2002 (https://www.tsp.gov/annuity-basics/hist ... uity-rates). The annuity rate is somewhat competitive as it does not distinguish between male/female but is life/joint life only with no guaranteed year/cash back options. Nonetheless, the list provides a sense of where annuity rates were.

Just ran the numbers through 04/14: -7.00% at 60/40 all US / Treasuries (duration ~11 years with a mix of nominal and TIPs funds). I am tinkering with my portfolio as I adjust to retirement (moving towards simplicity - VTI and individual TIPs/I Bonds). My bogey is VBIAX which is at -8.41% so I guess I am losing less (still not fun).

A possible easier solution if the OP has a significant other would be to divide the majority of money into the I Bond gift box on Treasury Direct for both OP and SO. The I Bonds would accumulate interest while waiting to be delivered each year on the ladder (currently up to $10k/year per account). The first couple years will have the 3 month penalty applied, but that still comes out more than the current guaranteed negative real return for near years' TIPS if held to maturity. Basically a fee-free deferred annuity that can never go negative unlike TIPS. If OP decides to go this route, suggest doing so this month to capture the current rate: 7.12%.

One thing I haven't seen much discussed is: do allocation percentages change when factoring in self-insuring for potential LTC costs? Reading other forums, many say anticipate spending ~$100k/year for 3+ years should one need full-time care in addition to the run-up/wind-down costs of in-home care. I am leaning towards bucketing that amount into TSP G fund and/or TIPS ladder and not including it in my asset allocation. Kind of like having a stable reserve available if something catastrophic occurs with few market forces acting on it. FWIW, I am not sold on the concept of buying whole/universal life insurance with a LTC rider. Thoughts?

Our success with mailing things to Vanguard that they acknowledge receiving has been abysmal. For instance, we tried to directly transfer my wife's Janus IRA to her existing Vanguard IRA electronically but the verification site failed. Then we mailed the hardcopy paperwork to PA as per the instructions prior to the move to El Paso. After three weeks of nothing, I contacted them through the now extinct secure message system asking for status. They replied non-receipt of the package (I still think it is in the dead letter box somewhere on the campus). Reprinted the paperwork and mailed certified USPS to El Paso. After another three weeks, still no action in spite of it being delivered per USPS. Again, I contacted Vanguard through their SMS an...

My 401k is with Vanguard. I called last week and spoke with a CSR on how to rollover my account to my IRA. I was told it's all electronic and they cash out the funds after plan administrator approval, sending the check to me to rollover with the 60 day requirement. No direct trustee-to-trustee nor in-kind transfers. I even said I wanted to rollover my Vanguard funds to my Vanguard IRA and the CSR said that it would be the same process. If I was given bad advice, that would be good, but I doubt it.

As an update to my 02 Aug rant, we sent another set of hard copy paperwork to the El Paso processing center. This time it was sent via USPS Certified Mail. Per the USPS website, the paperwork was delivered on 21 Aug. There has been no reflection of receipt/work on Vanguard's part. :twisted: Subsequent messages sent to Vanguard Voyager via account messaging went unanswered until 18 Sep. According to Vanguard, the paperwork has yet to be received. I provided the tracking number to show it was delivered but have yet to receive a reply. This marks the second time Vanguard internal processing went awry. I have resigned myself to making a rollover vice transfer. I don't expect to do another rollover in the next 365 days and at least I will be in ...

RANT ON: Neither my wife or I received any notice/email/message about the mailing change. Therefore, when we went to transfer our Janus Traditional IRAs to Vanguard on 05 July, the online third party agent improperly characterized them as Variable Annuities, forcing us to submit a hard copy paperwork generated by Vanguard. On the paperwork were the following mailing addresses: Please mail your completed form(s) and account statement to: Vanguard P.O. Box 1110 Valley Forge, PA 19482-1110 For overnight, registered, or certified delivery, mail to: Vanguard 455 Devon Park Drive Wayne, PA 19087-1815 We sent the paperwork to the first address on 07 July. Now it has been a game of "where is the paperwork"? Weekly PMs result in "I do...

We faced the same problem when ours were younger. We stayed home for holidays. After being upset initially our relatives got over it. Do what's best for your family. Edited to add: Alternately, go to your parents house with the kids juiced up on sugar and turn them loose. Just let them run wild. Throwing, climbing, running, and general unbridled wanton destruction. Maybe they'll ask you to stay home next time? :shock: I did this at a car dealership once and the finance manager was happy to get me and my little vikings out of there. OP, This is one where you lose either way you decide. My advice is to start new traditions with your young family by enjoying Thanksgiving at home. Call your parents and let them know well in advance. Tycoon, Th...

I thought the light vs dark soliloquy would have been best as Harrelson and McConaughy lay dying watching the flare through the oculus. Fade to black with the Rolling Stones playing "Paint it Black." Poignant but the DW thought it dumb.

In 2007, I attempted to rollover Savings Bonds into a 529-like plan (WA GET), apportioning the principal and interest of the savings bonds in the lump-sum contribution. However, the IRS ruled I owed taxes on the interest due to something I did wrong in the rollover process. Subsequent appeals by my CPA went for nothing and I paid the taxes (plus penalties and interest) on the bonds' interest. However, the WA GET says they have no way of re-characterizing the money to show the correct basis reflecting that taxes were paid on the lump-sum contribution. That leaves me with somehow convincing the IRS when I file my return I actually paid the taxes on the lump-sum contribution if I start withdrawing the money for non-college related expenses in ...

I have found Ebay to have good quality suits for very reasonable prices. You will need to know your size and dimensions (sleeves, length, waist) to accurately judge how much tailoring the suit may need after purchase. In my closet I have Oxxford, Brooks Brothers Golden Fleece, Armani, Zegna, and Ralph Lauren (Lauren and University) suits that cost under the $200 ceiling. Some needed alterations but even with alterations costs ($10-$50 depending on extent), I would still be under $200 except for the Zegna. Now some here may say you can't trust the seller but I have found all the suits to be properly labeled with no hint of fraud. I think most of the suits are either from the recently deceased or found in thrift stores. In either case, a good...

No matter what vehicle you decide upon, do yourself, other occupants, and the pet a favor and either put them in a cage or buckle them in properly with a pet harness. Otherwise, they become deadly flying objects seriously harming the human occupants and likely killing the pet in an accident. Here in Germany, it is the law.

Looking at the newsletter website, it appears to employ a timing strategy similar to one in TSPTalk that attempts to use momentum as a primary indicator. It seems reasonable to me for Vanguard to institute a similar policy as TSP - allow only two trades per month. That way Vanguard can minimize the disruption to operations while allowing some mis-guided few to attempt to seek alpha by market timing and not infringing on the free speech of the newsletter (not sure Vanguard could gain an injunction against publication - the bar is extremely high). I prefer to rebalance when my thresholds are tripped to maintain a comfortable risk/reward ratio.

What would be the problem with taking SSA early at age 62 and simultaneously buying a 20 year deferred joint annuity with a principal return guarantee to make up for the loss of mortality credits by delaying SSA until FRA or age 70? It seems you are ensuring you receive SSA while mostly overcoming the buying power loss in later years and still have your heirs receive your principal in the event of premature death. I know insurance companies are making money off of this but I can't see much downside from a consumer's perspective. Is there a catch I am missing?

Before the military: 4 times (Ohio, Texas, Colorado, Maryland) In the military over past 25 years: 14 times and counting (four times to California, twice to Virginia and Europe, Hawaii, Nevada, Virginia, Alabama, Rhode Island, Washington). Never a back-to-back posting. I married well with a very tolerant wife. I agree with a previous poster - not sure if we will ever settle down but we are getting tired of the packing/unpacking. There is a local military Facebook page showing pictures of the movers' description of the contents in the moving boxes - it is quite funny but sometimes you have to read it aloud to understand what they were trying to say. We just go around with marker in hand and write on the other side of the box what is in it. S...

When I tried to create an account on the SSA website to use the ANYPIA, I got locked out for 24 hours. Either it doesn't like overseas military mailing addresses (even though it has APO/FPO in the drop down box) or using a previous US home address. Either way, I will try again tomorrow to see if SSA will let me register. If not, I will wait until I return home next year.

I think it depends on how you would use it and with what speakers. I highly recommend visiting the AVS forums and looking at what others say in both 2-channel and home theater areas of the audio section. I would also go to a real stereo store in the area and just start talking to the folks there. Most are enthusiasts who are happy to share their thoughts. FWIW, I bought a Yamaha 7.1 for our home theater with an Andrew Jones Pioneer speaker system. Is it high end - no but it does just fine in my current situation. With my constant moving, I won't be heart-broken should the movers/shippers destroy it. When we settle down, I am looking at a NAD integrated amp (40wpc) with efficient speakers (Klipsch Heritage or Mirage OMDs) for my man-cave. Bu...

I am one of those who accessed my 401k (actually TSP) via a loan to payoff a high interest rate mortgage (8%). The benefits I see are the opportunity savings of not paying that rate and paying back the loan to myself. The opportunity cost is being out of the market which is minimal in my case since I use TSP G as the money leg of my Permanent Portfolio retirement plan making my rate of return about equal (interest on loan vs. current rate). In addition, I am still maximizing my contributions to TSP while adding the mortgage interest money saved to my IRA. All in all, this was a sound financial decision in my personal case and am glad a loan provision was available. In fact, I should have done it sooner.

I chose other - I try to off-set TSM's inherent market cap weighting by adding to other M* style boxes that get to an approximate equal weighting of style strategy. Riskier but my research leads me to believe alpha gains outweigh the greater risk taken (similiar to the SV premium in the past).

Still own our first RV, a 2004 29' ForestRiver Sunseeker Class C. It was good for our uses but the kids never really enjoyed it. My plan is to increase traveling in it when I retire in a few years with the spouse and pets - no kids, no carping. We will pull a car for mobility once at a site. Gas mileage is 10MPG so there is no real savings versus traveling in a car and staying in a moderately price hotel; but I like my comfortable stuff (bed, food, TV, lawn furniture, etc...) so think it a fair trade to see the country.

Check out Speed Queen top-load washers. Basic, dependable, long-lasting, and thorough - good value for the money

Mackstann: Much obliged to the work you put in. Playing around with the website helps puts diversification (or lack thereof) in an easy to understand perspective.

We are in the same situation (replacing old W/D). My research suggests the Speed Queen brand to be a favorite among many for its sturdiness and value.

I use an Excel 2007 spreadsheet to maintain my portfolio. Until yesterday, I was able to import my Vanguard Variable Annuity fund prices into the spreadsheet with little problem. Now it will not import. I suspect it has something to do with the https domain Vanguard uses for their fund price webpages - I have to click "no" on the security message for each Vanguard https webpage in order to bring up the yellow arrow adjacent to the section I wish to import. Has anyone else experienced this problem? When I google for some insights, I see others have similar problems with https websites but resort to complicated Visual Basic queries. I just want to get the prices but cannot find another, non-https website that shows Vanguard Variable...

What I would be interested in is how the insurance company determines the annuity's actuarial rate on a non-natural person (Roth IRA). I would guess they use the Roth owner's personal details to get a payment rate and limit the annuity to single life only, no joint annuitant or guaranteed period.

Dingle, all I can say is wow. Just because I like to see skill on the ice in a game doesn't translate to how you should enjoy the game. If fighting is your thing, go for it. I also recommend MMA as well. In my line of work, I see enough blood, mayhem, and violence to not need the vicarious thrill of watching it on a hockey rink. To each his own.

Although I never played, I always enjoyed watching the WHA/NHL's skating, passing, defense, and scoring. However, the fighting always turned me off - I know things get chippy on the ice but you deal with it by making a goal. Howe, Hull, and Gretzky were my favorites to watch - they were always thinking of how to score. But, the NHL lost me as a fan when it went to dump, grind, and fight a la the Bobby Clarke Flyers. Then, I went to grad school at Denver University which typically has a competitive team. I reconnected with the game and attribute it to college hockey's focus on the basics. I believe its rule of major team/personal penalties for fighting was a major influencer on the game (it used to be a five minute major and two game suspens...

We cashed out our 1993 EE Savings Bonds to fully fund our 3 kids' pre-paid tuition plans with Washington's Guaranteed Education Tuition plan. I am happy I did as the rate has increased between 7-14% over the past three years, better than I was getting with the bonds. The program is very transportable to non-Washington institutions with no decrement in payout. About the only limiting factor is the relatively small amount you can invest per child - highest WA state university tuition x four years plus 25% equaling about $37k at current rates. So, if the child decides to go to a more expensive school, you are on the hook to pay the difference. Still, the safety factor (full faith and credit of the state) and relatively good rate of return make...

I place the G fund in the cash portion of my Permanent Portfolio.

The other major assumption in many decumulation studies is spending remains constant through-out retirement. Although a couple of decades from retirement, I suspect my spending will decrease over time as I age (e.g. less traveling, less buying of stuff). While medical costs could rise over time, I am less inclined to accept costly, lower quality of life treatments just to be prolonged. How I make that cost-benefit calculus is mine to say in my spouse-consulted living will, not my doctor's, priest's, rabbi's, or the state. As to the orginal item of the thread, it seemed to me to be an industry piece of how FA's provide value-added in the age of index mutual funds/ETFs with the aura of independent, university research. I suspect many FA's wil...

Six times annual income requiring creative financing (80/10/10 interest only 5 year ARMs). Due to job requirements, plan to sell/move prior to ARM period expiring. I knew going in I was highly leveraged but felt it necessary to meet family housing needs. Banking on the come the RE market will rebound to not see a loss.

You should see what happens when the M&A crowd get into the herd. It's all merging and arbitraging til the cows come home.

In addition to income tax, most investment income above certain MAGI thresholds appears subject to a Medicare tax as contained within the recently passed Health Care bill per CNNmoney.com.

Every two weeks to maintain military regs; besides, I start to feel shaggy after three weeks.

Cost varies from free (on the ship) to $12 (incl tip) at a military barber. Normal style is one inch on top fading to skin one inch above the ears. I have had numerous buzz cuts in my career, but they still need to be trimmed after a couple weeks.

1. Bugs
2. Johnny Quest (I wanted to name my second son Race after Race Bannon but the wife nixed the idea)
3. Underdog

Lbill wrote:Here's a problem with using the 200-day moving average timing system to move in and out of PP asset classes...

I only use the 200ma timing system in my stock and gold ETF portions of PP. The other two asset classes I keep within their rebalancing bands.

That generally means directing new cash to cash/bonds as stock/gold ETF prices rise significantly. When stock/gold ETF prices fall below 200ma triggers, then I rebalance the entire portfolio to maintain ~25% proportions. I am able to do this in tax-deferred space so I don't incur taxes on the rebalancing.

Mobile home parks also tend to be leasehold situations. I know of one case in San Diego where the leaseholder gave buy-out offers to park residents to terminate their lease early but a few remained until the bitter end. Then the newspapers and politicos got involved. The story became a greedy owner wants to evict some elderly residents who lived in the park for 20+ years in order to build a strip shopping center. Although the owner may have had contract law on his side, the human interest/social policy factor delayed the transition for years. An effort was made to re-zone the land so that a mobile home park would be the only allowed use of the land but that failed in court. In the end, after a number of years and attorney's fees, the owner ...