Search found 550 matches

by 4th&Goal
Sat Jan 24, 2009 7:46 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: SSA form 521 downside?
Replies: 9
Views: 2400

Avatar purloiner :wink:
by 4th&Goal
Wed Dec 31, 2008 7:58 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: TIAA-CREF ... An oasis in a desert of due negligence
Replies: 233
Views: 50509

New TIAA Traditional Rates

Bob U. was kind enough to post the new TIAA rates on the TIAA-CREF board. Thank you professor.

http://socialize.morningstar.com/NewSoc ... 09645.aspx
by 4th&Goal
Fri Dec 26, 2008 6:59 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: TIAA-CREF ... An oasis in a desert of due negligence
Replies: 233
Views: 50509

TIAA-CREF ... An oasis in a desert of due negligence

Interesting article in Forbes. Always good to see investor friendly companies like Vanguard and TIAA-CREF recognized in the media.
http://www.forbes.com/opinions/2008/12/ ... tiger.html
by 4th&Goal
Fri Dec 19, 2008 9:01 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 403b asset transfer HELP
Replies: 4
Views: 1521

A positive way of looking at it is that you will be paying Oppenheimer only half of the surrender fees you would have paid at the market high. Small consolation I know .... but some consolation.
by 4th&Goal
Wed Dec 17, 2008 2:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity: Best second to Vanguard?
Replies: 30
Views: 6336

mptfan wrote:Because of this difference, Vanguard operates with lower costs overall than any other mutual fund company, and the only way Fidelity can match Vanguard's very low costs with certain Spartan index funds is to make up the difference elsewhere with other funds.
(Emphasis mine) And why should we care as long as the ERs are the same (or lower) than at Vanguard?
by 4th&Goal
Wed Dec 17, 2008 9:56 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity: Best second to Vanguard?
Replies: 30
Views: 6336

The Spartan Funds from Fidelity are fine funds. I see arguments here complaining that Fidelity uses the Spartan Funds asd "loss leaders," but who cares when they offer such low cost index funds. Bogleheads should rejoice low cost index funds regardless of who offers them.
by 4th&Goal
Wed Dec 17, 2008 7:51 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard to offer International Small-Cap Index Fund
Replies: 138
Views: 35160

What is the usual timeline from filing to actually being able to invest in the fund and ETF? When is a ticker symbol assigned?

Thank you,
Mike
by 4th&Goal
Mon Dec 15, 2008 6:39 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 403b etc limits for 2009
Replies: 5
Views: 1719

Answered my own question. This is from a story today on Yahoo Finance"
"Catch-up plan: Once you hit 50, you're allowed to make catchup contributions. Starting in 2009, you can put away an extra $5,500 into your 401(k) every year (raising the ceiling to a total of $22,000 per year)." Fewer than 20% of eligible participants take advantage of that option, according to Vanguard, even though it can be a big boost to savings in the home stretch.

http://finance.yahoo.com/focus-retireme ... reparation
by 4th&Goal
Mon Dec 15, 2008 5:40 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 403b etc limits for 2009
Replies: 5
Views: 1719

I think the extra money we old guys (over 50) are allowed to invest also increases in 2009. I may be wrong.
by 4th&Goal
Thu Dec 11, 2008 8:16 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 403B Choices
Replies: 9
Views: 1896

School districts care not about teachers and teacher unions even less so. The districts are using Information Sharing Agreements as an excuse to "fire" the TIAA-CREFs, Vanguards, and Fidelity's. This leaves only the high fee (and hidden fee) insurance companies for already under paid teachers to use. It is shameful.
by 4th&Goal
Thu Dec 04, 2008 7:35 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help with 403(b) Hell
Replies: 11
Views: 3044

Lbill wrote:Sorry for your plight - I was once in a 403 with limited choices and high fees (has a dead President's last name), and I couldn't wait to get out and back into TIAA-CREF with a new employer.
Unfortunately some of the largest school districts are dropping TIAA-CREF due to Information Sharing Agreement (ISA) problems. The third party administrators are playing games and the result is teachers being forced into high fee insurance company plans.

Just another example of the rule of unintended consequences .... or as they say: "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions."
by 4th&Goal
Wed Dec 03, 2008 7:47 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Milevsky - The "buckets" myth of retirement invest
Replies: 88
Views: 17711

"Buckets" has not changed my allocation. It only changed the way I view my portfolio. It has helped me keep amazingly calm during the recent bear market.
by 4th&Goal
Sun Nov 30, 2008 6:33 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Stock mutual funds reverse outflows
Replies: 23
Views: 4405

kb0fhp wrote:The average investor tends to buy at the high and sell at the low. They let emotion run rampant over their investments. It is not just me that says this. People panic. They see a major downturn and they sell. This is why people that "stay the course" tend to do better than the average investor.
So you consider those putting money in last week to be "buying at the high?"
by 4th&Goal
Fri Nov 14, 2008 9:31 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: New: Fidelity cuts 1,700 more jobs in early '09
Replies: 15
Views: 3002

simplesimon wrote:Let's not get snarky here 4th&Goal.
I always get snarky when someone makes light of mass layoffs six weeks before Christmas.
by 4th&Goal
Fri Nov 14, 2008 5:42 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: New: Fidelity cuts 1,700 more jobs in early '09
Replies: 15
Views: 3002

chaz wrote:Less customer service at Fido.
Chaz,
You say the very same thing whenever a thread about Fidelity layoffs appear here. Do you just like to say it, or do you forget you have already said it?
http://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtop ... t=fidelity
by 4th&Goal
Fri Nov 14, 2008 7:57 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: S&P Scorecard--Index vs. Managed Funds
Replies: 55
Views: 11119

Thanks Taylor. Now if I could just get my 457 committee to read it!
by 4th&Goal
Sat Nov 08, 2008 10:32 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: TSM Approximation with other funds
Replies: 5
Views: 1685

Thanks everyone. I've bookmarked the Boglewiki for future reference.
by 4th&Goal
Sat Nov 08, 2008 7:41 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: TSM Approximation with other funds
Replies: 5
Views: 1685

TSM Approximation with other funds

My daughter now has Signal Shares of Vanguard 500 Index (ER= 0.07%),
Vanguard Mid-Cap Index (ER= 0.10%) and Vanguard Small Cap Index (ER= 0.11%). We have two questions:

1. What percentage of each would come close to approximating TSM?

2. Would it be better to just use the S&P 500 Index and the Small-Cap Index (leaving out the Mid-Cap Index)?

Thank you
by 4th&Goal
Thu Nov 06, 2008 9:02 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Fidelity cuts 1,300 jobs, more cuts to come
Replies: 12
Views: 4016

chaz wrote:
Companies get rid of highly paid workers and replace them with entry level people. That is the way business operates, including customer services workers. So I take with a grain of salt what Crowley said.
I have accounts at Vanguard and Fidelity. Fidelity will have to lose many customer service people before they sink to the level of Vanguard customer service.
by 4th&Goal
Thu Nov 06, 2008 5:51 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Fidelity cuts 1,300 jobs, more cuts to come
Replies: 12
Views: 4016

chaz wrote:There goes some customer service at Fido.
chaz,
You must have missed this in the OP:
Fidelity is privately-held and based in Boston. Crowley said the cuts would be spread evenly throughout its U.S. locations. She said the company is still hiring in the customer services area.
by 4th&Goal
Wed Nov 05, 2008 1:02 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: TIAA-CREF
Replies: 11
Views: 2871

livesoft wrote:I have had a 403(b) with TIAA-CREF for more than 20 years.
So have others but unfortunately TIAA-CREF (and Vanguard) are being removed as options from many school district 403b and 457 retirement plans. No future contributions allowed to these companies after 1/1/2009.
http://www.403bwise.com/
by 4th&Goal
Tue Nov 04, 2008 6:26 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 403b mess
Replies: 17
Views: 5157

Re: limited options

dlz4 wrote:Our district's 403b plans are now managed by an outside agency.....That agency manages many school disticts retirement plans in the area....(New York State). Unfortunately, companies like TIA, vanguard, fidelity are reluctant to sign the Information Sharing Agreement as outlined by this outside agency.
Same story in Nevada. Outside consultants hired by the district made the decision. With the exception of Fidelity, all other options are high fee companies. The teachers union has no problem with this and through promotional events encourages new teachers to sign on with the highest fee companies. Very sad situation.
by 4th&Goal
Mon Nov 03, 2008 9:37 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 403b mess
Replies: 17
Views: 5157

Re: 403b mess

2.) Should I stop the 403b altogether and fully fund a Roth IRA, knowing that I cannot save as much per year in a Roth IRA compared to a 403b. (My wife is also an educator, so we are in the same predicament). I would also obviously lose the tax advantage of investing with a 403b..... If you're in education, you should be able to invest with TIAA/CREF. Most of their funds have extremely low expense ratios, and the company is about as good as it gets. The Clark County School District in Nevada (5th largest district in the USA) is dropping TIAA-CREF as an option for their 403b and 457 plans effective 1/1/2009. According to the district, TIAA-CREF wouldn't sign the Information Sharing Agreement in the way insisted on by the district. Fidelity ...
by 4th&Goal
Mon Nov 03, 2008 8:57 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Terminology: income annuity=SPIA=LPIA=IIA=FIA
Replies: 12
Views: 3047

I think Single-Premium Immediate Annuity (SPIA) describes it best.
by 4th&Goal
Wed Oct 29, 2008 2:34 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: report from SSA Inspector General re SS withdrawals
Replies: 44
Views: 10205

sscritic,
As always, thanks for your help.
Mike
by 4th&Goal
Mon Oct 27, 2008 6:17 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: report from SSA Inspector General re SS withdrawals
Replies: 44
Views: 10205

sscritic,

If a person receives SS Disability for an number of years and then returns to work (government entity not in SS), what amount does he/she receive at full retirement age? The amount received while on disability, or a reworked amount without consideration of the SS Disability years?

Thank you
by 4th&Goal
Mon Oct 27, 2008 5:48 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Larry's new book shipping now
Replies: 14
Views: 3320

Larry's new book shipping now

I received this from Amazon about 20 minutes ago:

The item(s) listed below will actually ship sooner than we
originally expected:
"The Only Guide to Alternative Investments You'll Ever Need: The Way Smart Money Diversifies Risk" [Hardcover]
Estimated arrival date: 11/04/2008 - 11/06/2008
by 4th&Goal
Wed Oct 01, 2008 6:30 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: TIAA Real Estate investors - holding on?
Replies: 14
Views: 6055

I moved all money from TIAA Real Estate to CREF Inflation-Linked Bond (TIPS) Account. I wanted to keep the same percentage of real assets but didn't want to gamble on the future of commercial real estate.
by 4th&Goal
Mon Sep 29, 2008 6:22 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Determining foreign equity asset allocation %
Replies: 15
Views: 4357

Some rationale by Mohamed El-Erian: http://seekingalpha.com/article/93213-thoughts-on-mohamed-el-erian-s-when-markets-collide http://money.cnn.com/2008/08/04/pf/big_idea.moneymag/index.htm?postversion=2008080418 http://soundmoneytips.com/article/80674-el-erian-s-recommended-allocation-vs-harvard-yale?source=mb I don't want a rationale for high percentages of foreign investments; I know they exist and I know some of them. I want an explanation of why, if these rationales are widely accepted , they aren't reflected in the composition of Fidelity and Vanguard's retirement funds, or Malkiel's A Random Walk Down Wall Street , or Bogle's The Little Book of Common Sense Investing , or the suggestions given by Vanguard's automated portfolio analys...
by 4th&Goal
Sun Sep 28, 2008 10:05 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Determining foreign equity asset allocation %
Replies: 15
Views: 4357

Adrian Nenu wrote: I have a rule of thumb based on the '73-'74 and '00- '02 bear markets:

Maximum tolerable loss x 2 = Maximum equity allocation

Good luck!

Adrian
anenu@tampabay.rr.com
Adrian,
Can you give an example of "Maximum tolerable loss x 2 = Maximum equity allocation" in dollars for us mathematically challenged folks?

Thanks
by 4th&Goal
Sat Sep 27, 2008 11:09 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How to add Emerging Mkts to an International Portfolio?
Replies: 4
Views: 1615

Does VWO give exposure to other than large-cap EM?
by 4th&Goal
Mon Sep 22, 2008 8:10 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Total Stock Market & Micro-Caps
Replies: 1
Views: 948

Total Stock Market & Micro-Caps

If one holds a Total Stock Market Fund does he or she also own the market weight of micro-cap stocks? If one owns a micro-cap fund (Bridgeway Ultra Small-Cap for example) would that person be overweight in micro-caps?

Thank you
by 4th&Goal
Sat Sep 20, 2008 8:17 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: TIAA-CREF money market annuity decreased in value
Replies: 10
Views: 3564

nisiprius wrote:I think TIAA customer service reps at the 800 number are some of the best customer service representatives I've ever encountered. Perhaps even the best. Either them or L. L. Bean.
I agree and add that with a relatively small account balance (can be combined accounts of spouses) one is assigned a Wealth Management Advisor (WMA). The WMA expedites questions, requests, and concerns for the account holder and soon becomes a very helpful point of contact with TIAA-CREF.

One of my few frustrations with this board is the desire of some to paint ALL companies besides Vanguard as BAD. I appreciate all the good companies available to me. When it comes to money (and my retirement) I am an investor, NOT a cheering sports team fan.
by 4th&Goal
Fri Sep 19, 2008 6:09 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 50% loss seems like a lot? Look at EM
Replies: 47
Views: 10806

VEMAX on Yahoo Finance:
Net Asset Value: 30.60
Trade Time: Sep 19
Change: 2.42 (8.59%)
Prev Close: 28.18
by 4th&Goal
Fri Sep 19, 2008 6:07 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 50% loss seems like a lot? Look at EM
Replies: 47
Views: 10806

VWO on Yahoo Finance:
Last Trade: 38.97
Trade Time: 4:00PM ET
Change: 4.97 (14.62%)
Prev Close: 34.00
by 4th&Goal
Fri Sep 19, 2008 5:35 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 50% loss seems like a lot? Look at EM
Replies: 47
Views: 10806

Vanguard Emerging Markets ETF (VWO) up 14.62% today.
by 4th&Goal
Fri Sep 19, 2008 4:44 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: TIAA-CREF money market annuity decreased in value
Replies: 10
Views: 3564

Re: TIAA-CREF money market annuity decreased in value

nonjim wrote:Does this mean that it "broke the buck"? I can't think of any other reason why a money market fund would decrease in value.
Thanks,
nonjim
CREF Money Market is a variable annuity account and has never maintained a NAV of $1. What do you find difficult in understanding the CREF Money Market prospectus (or even simpler "Fact Sheet") found at the TIAA-CREF website?
by 4th&Goal
Mon Sep 15, 2008 10:22 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Daughter in IRS trouble, looking for help
Replies: 14
Views: 3237

I wonder if Grandma just feels your daughter isn't ready for the money or if she's using this as a tax-scam. I'd be curious to know how much of your daughter's money has been spent. Doc, my daughter is more mature than her grandmother. Daughter is the most frugal of my children and very level headed. She has a graduate degree in special education and has devoted the past 6 years to teaching disadvantaged autistic children in an inner-city public school. Her grandmother has in the past demonstrated dishonest behaviors but I am trying to prevent future problems without causing family pronlems. My wife (grandma's daughter) has been embarrassed by her mother's behavior in the past and I would like to spare her further embarrassment. I would al...
by 4th&Goal
Mon Sep 15, 2008 8:48 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Daughter in IRS trouble, looking for help
Replies: 14
Views: 3237

chicagobear wrote:
If I were the daughter, I'd contact Dreyfus and find out how the account is styled.
We tried that but they would not discuss a thing until transfer paperwork is submitted by my daughter. My daughter requested and recieved the forms from Dreyfus but the last name on the account is just an initial. The account was opened with my daughter's Social Security number, her first name and just the first letter of her last name.

I don't see how we can obtain the required signature guarantee on the forms so they will be accepted by Dreyfus. I think this is what is meant by being between a rock and a hard place.
by 4th&Goal
Mon Sep 15, 2008 4:24 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Daughter in IRS trouble, looking for help
Replies: 14
Views: 3237

UPDATE

Thanks everyone. I called my daughter today to pass on some of the good advice I received here. She told me that her grandmother sent her the money owed the IRS and she paid the IRS debt.

She learned nothing else from grandma and was only told that this had to do with some money she (grandma) had put away for my daughter. Daughter is happy that IRS is paid and is relieved that grandma will give her any further unpaid tax notices that may be recieved from IRS. I think something is fishy but don't want to come between daughter and her grandmother. I didn't think it could be so easy to open an account in the name of another with onkly a social security number. Kind of troubling.
by 4th&Goal
Mon Sep 15, 2008 9:49 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Daughter in IRS trouble, looking for help
Replies: 14
Views: 3237

Daughter in IRS trouble, looking for help

My adult daughter (30 years old) recently received an IRS notice that she owed considerable taxes on unreported dividend income from her 2006 return. It referred to a Dreyfus 1099 for an emerging markets mutual fund. Although her soc sec number was correct we believed it was an error as none of us has a relationship with Dreyfus and my daughter does not even know the definition of an emerging markets mutual fund. Lo and behold , after some investigation, we learned that my daughter's grandmother has for a long time had an account in my daughter's name (Well, her first name and last initial ... with daughter's SS#). We contacted Dreyfus and they would not say much but did send forms dealing with transfer of ownership of custodial accounts. G...
by 4th&Goal
Sun Sep 14, 2008 5:11 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Worried About my 457(B) with AIG
Replies: 8
Views: 2125

chaz wrote:If possible, leave AIG tomorrow.

Good luck.
Why would mutual funds held at AIG be at risk? I think your response leaves the wrong impression in response to the OP's specific question.
by 4th&Goal
Sun Sep 14, 2008 8:45 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: (HELP) Letter to increase “State Guaranty Association” 1
Replies: 0
Views: 706

(HELP) Letter to increase “State Guaranty Association” 1

Our state legislature soon returns to session and I would like to contact some legislators to see if they would introduce legislation to increase the current 100K “State Guaranty Association” annuity protection to perhaps 300K or more (like some other states).

My writing skills pale by comparison to others here and if someone more articulate than I could help put a few lines together for a draft it would be very much appreciated.

Thank you
by 4th&Goal
Fri Sep 12, 2008 7:22 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Non Traded REITs and the Master Plan
Replies: 17
Views: 5614

overpar wrote:A tidbit for the football fans. Ray Lucia is the father-in-law (perhaps "ex" by now) of Ryan Leaf, the former #2 overall NFL draft choice, generally considered the biggest bust in pro football history
A tidbit for overpar:
Following the 1998 draft, the Chargers signed Leaf to a four-year contract worth $31.25 million, including a guaranteed $11.25 million signing bonus. It was, at the time, the largest signing bonus ever paid to a rookie. Not too shabby.
by 4th&Goal
Thu Sep 11, 2008 1:38 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Teachers - 403b poll
Replies: 16
Views: 5411

Many 403b plans with a Self Directed Brokerage Account (SDBA) option only allow a maximum of 50% of total account value to the the SDBA. If you have 50K in the 403b, only 25K could be transferred to the SDBA.
by 4th&Goal
Sun Sep 07, 2008 6:05 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Need advice for dealing with a prodigal father
Replies: 43
Views: 8707

Re: Need advice for dealing with a prodigal father

[ Personally, I would probably feel very resentful. John John, Your advice is sound but I think I may be missing something in this thread. What is here that would cause resentment? The father is already an old man and apparently has not asked his children for money to date. He is long retired, enjoyed a lavish lifestyle for a VERY long time and has money for many more years (even more if he sells the condo). Seems to me he has a real talent for finance to have enjoyed early retirement and an enviable (and enjoyable) life. Why the worry about something that the odds say will probably never happen. He will likely pass before the money runs out and if he isn't worried about it then nobody should be. NOTE: If he is telling his kids that they w...
by 4th&Goal
Sun Sep 07, 2008 3:00 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 403B choices
Replies: 9
Views: 2462

My ING 403b offers these Vanguard (Signal Shares) funds:
S&P 500 Index Fund (ER .07%)
Mid-Cap Index Fund (ER .10%)
Small-Cap Index Fund (ER .10%)

They also offer Dodge & Cox International (A fund I have always liked)
by 4th&Goal
Sun Sep 07, 2008 1:57 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Need advice for dealing with a prodigal father
Replies: 43
Views: 8707

Re: Inheritance

gweinstn wrote: I would gladly disclaim any inheritance in exchange for eliminating the financial risk of supporting a prodigal parent.

gweinstn.
Then just say it out loud, again and again if necessary, "I disclaim any inheritance and thereby eliminate the financial risk of supporting my prodigal parent." Then get on with your life. Let him spend all his money on plastic surgery for his Pygmalion project and get on with his. Life can be good for everyone. :wink:
by 4th&Goal
Sun Sep 07, 2008 12:48 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Need advice for dealing with a prodigal father
Replies: 43
Views: 8707

Re: father

Write the letter telling him he's on his own. And tell him it's not your responsibility to pay for his self-destructiveness and stupidity. Paul I agree with everything Paul said (as I almost always do). That said, I would be disappointed and outraged to receive such a letter from one of my children. This situation will never play out in my family. I am frugal and have all bases covered. That is my choice. However if I wanted to spend every cent of MY money on cars, fast women or hula hoops it would be my choice. You see, it is MY money. Too often I see children's "genuine concern" for mom and/or dad's financial habits more a concern for their own inheritance than for mom amd dad. I'm not saying that is the case in this instance.