Search found 550 matches
- Sat Jan 24, 2009 7:46 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: SSA form 521 downside?
- Replies: 9
- Views: 2400
- 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
http://socialize.morningstar.com/NewSoc ... 09645.aspx
- 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
http://www.forbes.com/opinions/2008/12/ ... tiger.html
- Fri Dec 19, 2008 9:01 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: 403b asset transfer HELP
- Replies: 4
- Views: 1521
- Wed Dec 17, 2008 2:24 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Fidelity: Best second to Vanguard?
- Replies: 30
- Views: 6336
(Emphasis mine) And why should we care as long as the ERs are the same (or lower) than at Vanguard?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.
- Wed Dec 17, 2008 9:56 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Fidelity: Best second to Vanguard?
- Replies: 30
- Views: 6336
- 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
- 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
"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
- Mon Dec 15, 2008 5:40 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: 403b etc limits for 2009
- Replies: 5
- Views: 1719
- 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.
- Thu Dec 04, 2008 7:35 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Help with 403(b) Hell
- Replies: 11
- Views: 3044
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.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.
Just another example of the rule of unintended consequences .... or as they say: "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions."
- Wed Dec 03, 2008 7:47 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Milevsky - The "buckets" myth of retirement invest
- Replies: 88
- Views: 17711
- Sun Nov 30, 2008 6:33 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Stock mutual funds reverse outflows
- Replies: 23
- Views: 4405
So you consider those putting money in last week to be "buying at the high?"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.
- 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
- 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,chaz wrote:Less customer service at Fido.
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
- Fri Nov 14, 2008 7:57 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: S&P Scorecard--Index vs. Managed Funds
- Replies: 55
- Views: 11119
- Sat Nov 08, 2008 10:32 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: TSM Approximation with other funds
- Replies: 5
- Views: 1685
- 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
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
- 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
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.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.
- 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
- Wed Nov 05, 2008 1:02 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: TIAA-CREF
- Replies: 11
- Views: 2871
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.livesoft wrote:I have had a 403(b) with TIAA-CREF for more than 20 years.
http://www.403bwise.com/
- Tue Nov 04, 2008 6:26 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: 403b mess
- Replies: 17
- Views: 5157
Re: limited options
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.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.
- 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 ...
- Mon Nov 03, 2008 8:57 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Terminology: income annuity=SPIA=LPIA=IIA=FIA
- Replies: 12
- Views: 3047
- 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
- 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
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
- 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
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
- Wed Oct 01, 2008 6:30 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: TIAA Real Estate investors - holding on?
- Replies: 14
- Views: 6055
- 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...
- Mon Sep 29, 2008 10:43 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Determining foreign equity asset allocation %
- Replies: 15
- Views: 4357
- Sun Sep 28, 2008 10:05 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Determining foreign equity asset allocation %
- Replies: 15
- Views: 4357
Adrian,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
Can you give an example of "Maximum tolerable loss x 2 = Maximum equity allocation" in dollars for us mathematically challenged folks?
Thanks
- Sat Sep 27, 2008 11:09 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: How to add Emerging Mkts to an International Portfolio?
- Replies: 4
- Views: 1615
- 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
Thank you
- Sat Sep 20, 2008 8:17 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: TIAA-CREF money market annuity decreased in value
- Replies: 10
- Views: 3564
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.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.
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.
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
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?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
- 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...
- Mon Sep 15, 2008 8:48 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Daughter in IRS trouble, looking for help
- Replies: 14
- Views: 3237
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.chicagobear wrote:
If I were the daughter, I'd contact Dreyfus and find out how the account is styled.
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.
- 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.
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.
- 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...
- Sun Sep 14, 2008 5:11 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Worried About my 457(B) with AIG
- Replies: 8
- Views: 2125
- 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
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
- Fri Sep 12, 2008 7:22 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Non Traded REITs and the Master Plan
- Replies: 17
- Views: 5614
A tidbit for overpar: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
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.
- Thu Sep 11, 2008 1:38 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Teachers - 403b poll
- Replies: 16
- Views: 5411
- 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...
- Sun Sep 07, 2008 3:00 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: 403B choices
- Replies: 9
- Views: 2462
- 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
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.gweinstn wrote: I would gladly disclaim any inheritance in exchange for eliminating the financial risk of supporting a prodigal parent.
gweinstn.
- 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.