Search found 1769 matches

by Flobes
Fri Dec 29, 2023 1:58 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Converting Inherited IRA Funds to Roth?
Replies: 5
Views: 546

Re: Converting Inherited IRA Funds to Roth?

No. Inherited IRAs cannot be converted to Roth.
by Flobes
Fri Dec 29, 2023 1:29 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Inherited RMD help...today?
Replies: 19
Views: 1699

Re: Inhereted RMD help...today?

Yikes! So we have to take 2023 rmd today it seems. How do we quickly calculate what we need to take? The total amount in the inherited IRA is of today is $16,971.92. We don't know what it was at end of 2022. Realistically, you can breathe and let the "Yikes!" go for today. If her RMD was not satisfied for 2023, yes it should be taken by end-of-year. RMD shortfalls result in heavy 25% penalties for the missed amount. However, Form 5329 allows you to appeal to the IRS for a missed RMD penalty waiver. These waivers are almost always granted. You'll write a penalty waiver letter as essential part of your request, outlining your situation and explaining why you missed this RMD: "It was the first year, and we didn't understand the...
by Flobes
Fri Dec 29, 2023 12:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Charitable Donation of Stock
Replies: 8
Views: 633

Re: Charitable Donation of Stock

Cosmicpony wrote: Fri Dec 29, 2023 12:07 pm Simple yes or no question.
Are you asking about donating from an IRA? Are you asking about donation from taxable? You've so far told us both. The answers and process are different.
Cosmicpony wrote: Fri Dec 29, 2023 12:07 pm Can I donate stock from an IRA to a charity without it being considered a distribution? I suspect no, but wanted to ask.
Yes if you are 70.5 or olde; it is actually reported as distribution, but you label it as QCD on your tax return.
If you are younger, then no.
Cosmicpony wrote: Fri Dec 29, 2023 12:30 pmIt will come from taxable.
Yes, you can donate stock, but it too will be reported and adjusted. Are you a tax itemizer?
You charity must be able to accept stocks.
by Flobes
Thu Dec 28, 2023 6:50 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Tax-Loss Harvesting
Replies: 2
Views: 321

Re: Tax-Loss Harvesting

TriStar wrote: Wed Dec 27, 2023 10:59 pm (can I skip years?).
No.
by Flobes
Tue Dec 26, 2023 12:05 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Credit card recommendation: one card to rule them all?
Replies: 95
Views: 13875

Re: Credit card recommendation: one card to rule them all?

Looking for recommendations on a credit card... - fly out of a United hub and travel several times a year for pleasure. Generally loyal to United/Star Alliance I am in United territory as well. The Chase United Explorer card is a pretty decent deal for regular united flyers. $0 and 60k miles to sign up and then $95 a year. Includes free bag for each flyer and two club passes. Also includes free TSA Precheck to Global Traveler card, priority boarding, no foreign transaction fees. And some travel insurance bennies, included trip interruption, lost luggage, trip and baggage delay, travel accidents, etc. Some perks at home too, like free DoorDash. - is there "one card to rule them all" for us? I too am married to United. I have and u...
by Flobes
Sat Dec 23, 2023 9:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Winter vacation, not skiing
Replies: 8
Views: 1693

Re: Winter vacation, not skiing

rich126 wrote: Sat Dec 23, 2023 8:40 pm Any suggestions for a place out west with nice scenery, snow, snowmobiling, reasonable cost and fairly easy airport access? We are currently living in the Phoenix area.
Fly direct Phoenix to Aspen (ASE).

Stay in Glenwood Springs, way more reasonably priced.

All the winter sports (skiing, snowmobiling, horses, snowshoes, etc), magnificent scenery, great food, hot springs, day spas, caves, adventure park, varied accommodations, etc.
by Flobes
Wed Dec 20, 2023 2:29 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Alliant Credit Union woes
Replies: 17
Views: 1588

Re: Alliant Credit Union woes

I'm curious if any fellow community members have had a similar experience as myself this week regarding their member & card services. Is this just a one-off? I don't expect somewhere else to be wildly better, but as a responsible member I am put off by the whole experience this week. I had a different but equally frustrating ('tho more consequential) kerfuffle with Alliant Credit Union and its credit card. What I learned is that Alliant does not actually own its credit card nor manage card services but rather it's a contract arrangement with an outside vendor. When all is smooth with Alliant Credit Union card, it's a lovely 2.5% incentive. But if any little thing runs off the main track on the credit card side, you're left to deal with...
by Flobes
Thu Dec 14, 2023 2:11 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New to Costco
Replies: 239
Views: 58333

Re: Just got a Costco gift membership

You might want to read BH conversation from a few days ago: New to Costco . Right now it has 174 posts.
by Flobes
Sun Dec 03, 2023 11:55 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Inherited IRA distributions confused
Replies: 19
Views: 1868

Re: Inherited IRA distributions confused

Paullmas wrote: Sun Dec 03, 2023 8:21 am This requirement that I take a distribution has nothing to do with Secure Act 2.0 nor IRS Notice 2023-54, correct?
Correct.
Paullmas wrote: Sun Dec 03, 2023 8:21 am I have to take this distribution because my father passed away before taking his, correct?
Correct.
Paullmas wrote: Sun Dec 03, 2023 8:21 am ... is the amount whatever his RMD would have been?
Yes.
Paullmas wrote: Sun Dec 03, 2023 8:21 am (multiplied by my beneficiary percentage)?
No. It's his RMD, not yours. He did not yet take it, so now you have to meet his obligation.
krafty81 wrote: Sun Dec 03, 2023 11:33 am No rmd reqd until next year. IRS delayed it again.
Incorrect.

OP's father's RMD must be taken this year.

However, once this IRA is transferred to OP as an inherited IRA, rules for OP's RMDs are in limbo with IRS.
by Flobes
Mon Nov 27, 2023 1:44 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Taxes: savers credit: worth it?
Replies: 8
Views: 1595

Re: Taxes: savers credit: worth it?

…while saving a fair amount in savers credits. Anybody ever heard of anybody doing this? I have always drooled over the savers credit, and wondered how a person might accomplish this … YES Savers Credit is free money. BUT its maximum benefit is limited $1000 credit/person/year. AND it a narrow needle to thread re income limits. BUT even if you income qualify for the maximum benefit of $1000 credit for $2000 contribution for each of you (with $4000+ earned income), it is highly unlikely you’ll have a $2000 joint tax liability. AND it is a non-refundable “Use it or lose it” credit. YES I accomplished maximum Savers Credit for a couple of years awhile ago. I don’t remember the details of my high tax liability on minimal income; maybe I had se...
by Flobes
Sun Nov 26, 2023 10:52 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: SSA and Pension
Replies: 4
Views: 1058

Re: SSA and Pension

1. WEP reduces my SSA because of my pension? If you receive a pension from employment where you did not pay into SS, then you are subject to WEP. WEP changes how your benefits are calculated, reducing the first bend point from 90% to 40%. WEP ding is mitigated by 5% for each year >20, and WEP disappears > 30 “substantial” years. Do you have more than 20 “substantial” years of SS earnings history? You can review specific amounts of “substantial” for each of your SS working years on SSA website. 2. GPO reduces my spousal SSA, which would be ½ of her benefit to begin with, by another ⅔ , so I would end up receiving ⅓ of my spousal benefit, because of my pension? No. If you are subject to GPO, spousal (and survivor) reductions are based on the...
by Flobes
Sat Nov 18, 2023 1:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Amazon package lost - more expensive to reorder
Replies: 16
Views: 2601

Re: Amazon package lost - more expensive to reorder

I ordered some items from Amazon, to be delivered by Amazon's delivery service. It appears the items are lost and Amazon says I can ask for a refund. The problem is I want to reorder those items and the prices have increased. I'm wondering if it's worth the effort to call them and ask for the original prices… I can't be the only one to have this happen. When you have an Amazon order problem, resolve by phone. Dial directly with order # handy: ‭(888) 280-4331‬ or (866) 216-1072‬ or (206) 922-0880. Amazon will refund an amount equal to whatever your original order price. Or send a replacement, only if available, and generally not if Seller was not Amazon. Amazon does not price match. BUT the CSR can and will issue Amazon “courtesy credit” to...
by Flobes
Thu Nov 16, 2023 2:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Social Secuirty claiming with WEP-GPO issue
Replies: 3
Views: 570

Re: Social Secuirty claiming with WEP-GPO issue

regular guy wrote: Thu Nov 16, 2023 10:46 am
My question is the optimum time to claim hers? I have read that the lower earning spouse should claim at 62 and the higher earning spouse should wait until 70 but I am wondering if the Windfall Elimination and Government Pension Offset change that?
Do you understand the mechanics of WEP and GPO? Or only that her SS benefits are impacted? Yes, there are special strategic considerations.
by Flobes
Tue Nov 14, 2023 12:23 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Challenges of Large Tax Deferred Retirement Accounts Balance
Replies: 66
Views: 8610

Re: Challenges of Large Tax Deferred Retirement Accounts Balance

HipCoyote wrote: Mon Nov 13, 2023 9:27 pmthe pension wiped that out. I get zero.
I sent you a private message.
by Flobes
Mon Nov 13, 2023 2:18 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Challenges of Large Tax Deferred Retirement Accounts Balance
Replies: 66
Views: 8610

Re: Challenges of Large Tax Deferred Retirement Accounts Balance

HipCoyote wrote: Mon Nov 13, 2023 1:07 pm We're in the same boat as you (both public safety pensions), except we don't get ss. The small amount of SS I would be getting is eliminated by the Windfall Elimination Act...so all SS funds (not a lot) were simply paid with no benefit. Not a biggie.
WEP does not eliminate your SS. It changes the SS calculus, reducing amount you’ll receive, and amount of WEP ding is limited.

GPO affects your ability to collect spousal and survivor SS benefits; it is based on size of your pension and GPO impact can be total.
by Flobes
Sat Oct 28, 2023 7:06 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Roth IRA
Replies: 9
Views: 1782

Re: Roth IRA

So if the person earned $1,000 but received $500 in tips do they have to report the tip money to the IRS as income? Yes. From the IRS: " You must report tips you received (including both cash and noncash tips) on your income tax return. Any tips you reported to your employer are included in the wages shown in box 1 of your Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement. Add to the amount in box 1 only the tips you didn’t report to your employer as required. " You can only contribute earned income, so if you earn $1,000, you can only contribute $1,000. Note that all income is not earned income. Wages, salaries, commissions, tips, bonusses, or self-employment income qualify. If that person meets requirements, they may qualify for Savers Credit ....
by Flobes
Mon Oct 23, 2023 3:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Frankfurt: 18+ hr overnight layover
Replies: 83
Views: 7699

Re: Frankfurt: 18+ hr overnight layover

talzara wrote: Mon Oct 23, 2023 1:18 pm
Flobes wrote: Mon Oct 23, 2023 11:31 am
  • I deliberately chose long overnight layover as a much better option than 6 hours here, 5 hours there, with inconvenient arrival at home airport on late-night often-cancelled flight.
I would've done a same-day connection in Munich. A 6:50 PM arrival in Denver isn't that late.
Yes, but... Denver is not my final destination. It's my next connection for yet another flight to my home airport, which is then 40 miles drive to my house. So 6:50 pm Denver arrival is both late and dicey.
by Flobes
Mon Oct 23, 2023 11:31 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Frankfurt: 18+ hr overnight layover
Replies: 83
Views: 7699

Re: Frankfurt: 18+ hr overnight layover

Thanks so much for all the replies. Got the picture: • FRA airport is hardly hassle-free, not passenger friendly, and can be stressful to navigate, • city is not special enough to warrant a cold dark evening outing, • nearby locales are more interesting, but not realistically convenient for a quicky overnight visit, • airport hotels are just fine and easy-walk accessible. So new plan: have dinner in a lounge, sleep in pre-reserved hotel room, check into flight early, get breakfast in the lounge. I'm flying United / Lufthansa (paid!) business class. Lounge suggestions? What are FRA protocols to/from hotel: leave airport as well as re-entry? I'll be arriving from Athens (Lufthansa), departing for Denver (United). Any experience with My Cloud ...
by Flobes
Sun Oct 22, 2023 10:06 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Frankfurt: 18+ hr overnight layover
Replies: 83
Views: 7699

Frankfurt: 18+ hr overnight layover

Seeking ideas how to best enjoy layover in Frankfurt from 4:30 pm arrival to 11 am departure, late November, homeward after a month of solo travel. I've never visited Germany.

Stay somewhere in city? Special dinner? See some sight(s)?

Or simply get a room in the transit hotel within the airport? And go lounge hopping?
by Flobes
Thu Oct 19, 2023 9:38 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Multifocal lenses after cataract surgery
Replies: 33
Views: 4634

Re: Multifocal lenses after cataract surgery

I sent you a private message...
by Flobes
Thu Oct 19, 2023 9:15 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tipping on expensive prix fixe dinner
Replies: 157
Views: 16753

Re: Tipping on expensive prix fixe dinner

Kaizen Soze wrote: Thu Oct 19, 2023 8:43 am Do you tip on expensive prix fixe meals? And if so, how much?

Yes, we're going together and some of the proceeds go to charity.
As this is a charity event, it is probable that organization is paying all the tips.

I've hosted and organized numerous charity dinners and galas at myriad venues. We always pay all the tips, included within the event contract.

For clarification, you might ask the charity or the dinner sponsor directly.

After, send a lovely thank you note, personalized with meal details, with whatever gift.
by Flobes
Wed Sep 27, 2023 8:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Social Security timing couples and windfalls
Replies: 11
Views: 1697

Re: Social Security timing couples and windfalls

Trying to do right wrote: Wed Sep 27, 2023 6:29 pm We both have very good pensions. My social security will be very small (around $600) and his will be very large (around $3000). Neither of us will get survivors benefits due to our pensions being too high.
Just confirming: You are subject to GPO that will eliminate your spousal and survivor SS benefits, because you are receiving a pension from a job where you did not pay into Social Security. FYI: If you paid Social Security taxes on your earnings during the last 60 months of government service, the GPO will not apply.

Are you are subject to WEP (Windfall Elimination Provision) which will change calculus and reduce your own SS benefits? This too effects from receiving a pension from a job where you did not pay into SS.
by Flobes
Wed Sep 27, 2023 7:56 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Social Security timing couples and windfalls
Replies: 11
Views: 1697

Re: Social Security timing couples and windfalls

2ball wrote: Wed Sep 27, 2023 7:48 pm
Trying to do right wrote: Wed Sep 27, 2023 6:29 pm Neither of us will get survivors benefits due to our pensions being too high.
I am still learning. I didnt know that a pension could make you not eligible to collect social security survivor benifits.

at what amount does that start happening?
If you receive a pension from a government job where you did not pay into Social Security, then you may be subject to GPO (Government Pension Offset).

GPO cuts spousal and survivor benefits by two-thirds the amount of the pension, and those SS benefits may be totally wiped out if pension amounts are high.

It starts with the first dollar of the pension. GPO has only to do with the size of pension, not the amount of or eligibility for the SS benefits.
by Flobes
Wed Sep 27, 2023 3:56 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Selling Car Deceased Parent and Bank Withdrawals
Replies: 24
Views: 2206

Re: Selling Car Deceased Parent and Bank Withdrawals

Can anyone tell me the best way to sell a car once a parent is deceased... I have an unsigned title to his car... Will a car dealer take the car with just a death certificate? Some people believe that to be true. My mom died very suddenly. I simply gave the dealer the unsigned title and a death certificate. They handled everything, as they apparently do routinely with personal contacts at DMV. Although I was executor, it was done way before a Letter of Testimentary was even issued to me. Dealer simply believed my story, and asked for no proof I was entitled to that car. (It probably helped that Mom and I had the same last name.) This was in New York State. Later, I went to DMV to turn in the old license plates as is required there. Insuran...
by Flobes
Sun Sep 17, 2023 11:38 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: can 1099 income be used for SEP-IRA or individual 401k?
Replies: 14
Views: 1770

Re: can 1099 income be used for SEP-IRA or individual 401k?

The answer is maybe your 1099 income can be used to fund retirement accounts.

How are you reporting this income on your taxes? Are you filing Schedule C for each side business? Are you paying Self Employment Tax?

Do you have W2 jobs? Are you funding other retirement accounts through other work and/or through personal tIRAs or Roth?

How much is "small" 1099 income? (to evaluate i401k vs SEP vs SIMPLE)
by Flobes
Sat Sep 16, 2023 12:39 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do you need to carry your health insurance card?
Replies: 75
Views: 7331

Re: Do you need to carry your health insurance card?

I have a personal medical factsheet of everything you need to know if you find me unconscious or in medical distress.

Headline "I have medical directives" followed by "In Case oF Emergency" contacts phone numbers, my Primary Care Physician's details, my allergies, and all my insurance #s.

Original is 8.5x11, a shrunken version is in my glove box, there's one in my passport case, and a miniaturized (credit-card size) edition is in my wallet.
by Flobes
Tue Sep 12, 2023 6:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medicare and HSA
Replies: 23
Views: 1896

Re: Medicare and HSA

livesoft wrote: Tue Sep 12, 2023 6:09 pm And just because you have Medicare does not mean you cannot have an HSA. It means you cannot contribute to the HSA, but can withdraw from the HSA.
And, until you start to collect SS, you can even use your HSA stash to pay for your Medicare B and Medicare D premiums (but not Medigap supplement).
by Flobes
Tue Sep 12, 2023 4:22 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Social Security and survival benefits
Replies: 14
Views: 2197

Re: Social Security and survival benefits

I'm 64 and I won't work past 65. My wife is 56 and will work at least next years, in order to get pension from the work. My understanding that our best SS strategy is for me to wait until 70 and she will claim at 62, later she will get my SS as survival benefits. Is she paying into Social Security while working for her pension? If answer is no, then she may be subject to the GPO (Government Pension Offset) which will reduce her SS survivor and spousal benefits. Impact calculus is half the amount of her pension (which might even eradicate these SS benefits). Thank you for mentioning this, it is the situation that I will be in. Confirming: • She is working at a job where she does not contribute to Social Security, AND • She will be drawing a...
by Flobes
Mon Sep 11, 2023 4:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Snakes in Weep Holes
Replies: 13
Views: 2162

Re: Snakes in Weep Holes

And we've stuffed chewing gum into holes, gaps, etc. Very malleable and dries very hard. In the sun and the elements, it's been in place for about 15 years without cracking or dissolving.
by Flobes
Mon Sep 11, 2023 4:01 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help Understanding Colorado PERA Pension Program
Replies: 5
Views: 1079

Re: Help Understanding Colorado PERA Pension Program

Do you have links to anything regarding this hybrid option? There's no mention of it under the Leaving Employment section of the COPERA website and I couldn't find anything useful on Google. I was totally surprised when the "hybrid" (my moniker) was presented as an option while I went to collect my PERA benefits in 2021. I'd never seen nor heard of it, even after years of carefully following PERA as it related to my own journey and decisions. I thunk there were two paths -- lump sum or monthly payments -- with some choices about spouses and beneficiaries. But there it was! I know with certitude because I chose it, and it implemented somewhat easily, despite its never having presented in all the PERA explanations and plans and mem...
by Flobes
Mon Sep 11, 2023 11:04 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Social Security and survival benefits
Replies: 14
Views: 2197

Re: Social Security and survival benefits

I'm 64 and I won't work past 65. My wife is 56 and will work at least next years, in order to get pension from the work. My understanding that our best SS strategy is for me to wait until 70 and she will claim at 62, later she will get my SS as survival benefits. Question: What if I die before 70? ... she won't be eligible for surviving benefits? Just raising a possible hiccup: Is she paying into Social Security while working for her pension? If answer is no, then she may be subject to the GPO (Government Pension Offset) which will reduce her SS survivor and spousal benefits. Impact calculus is half the amount of her pension (which might even eradicate these SS benefits). If it's a private pension or a public pension from a job where she p...
by Flobes
Mon Sep 11, 2023 1:38 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Donating a car
Replies: 19
Views: 1455

Re: Donating a car

Rudedog wrote: Sun Sep 10, 2023 9:44 pm Any suggestions for donating a car?
This topic frequently comes up on the Forum. You might try the search box to review the many prior threads.

Here's my perennial answer:
* Donate your car to the school district's industrial arts program.
* Future mechanics will spend hours taking it apart, then putting it back together.
* It's more than OK if it needs repairs: mechanical or structural or cosmetic. Fixing is a goal.
* They are always in need of cars.
* And society gets well-trained mechanics.
by Flobes
Mon Sep 04, 2023 1:58 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Checkwriting on an inherited IRA [Fidelity]
Replies: 7
Views: 867

Re: Checkwriting on an inherited IRA [Fidelity]

Fidelity permits checkwriting on traditional IRAs, but not on inherited, simple, or Roth IRAs. Can anyone think of a rational reason why they would have this policy? Inherited IRAs have particular rules and requirements, different from traditional IRAs. Distributions from inherited IRAs are never eligible for Roth conversion. The 60-day rollover is not allowed. There are unique RMD mandates. Checkwriting makes it all too easy to take distributions and do 60-day rollovers. And make Roth conversions. And RMD/QCD errors, especially for those far from retirement years. These become sources of customer support headaches and unhappy customers, even they're uninformed unforced errors by account owners themselves. Seems that one by one, institutio...
by Flobes
Sun Sep 03, 2023 5:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: SSA Payments and Stopping Payments after Death
Replies: 31
Views: 2845

Re: SSA Payments and Stopping Payments after Death

I have attempted to call SSA and it is impossible. Do any of you have experience with this? Contact your US Senator or Representative's office. First time I reached out to my Senator was as an executor for my aunt's estate, befuddled with her Social Security payments. On a Friday, I conversed with a professional, well-informed and charming "constituent service representative" at Senator's regional office. Monday morning at 7:30 am, a Social Security manager called me. "I am calling at the request of Senator Goodguy..." Mission accomplished in mere minutes! Wednesday, received an email from Senator's office inquiring about whether SS reached out to me, asking if it was satisfactory and if more assistance was needed. FWIW...
by Flobes
Sun Sep 03, 2023 5:13 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help Understanding Colorado PERA Pension Program
Replies: 5
Views: 1079

Re: Help Understanding Colorado PERA Pension Program

My girlfriend works for the Colorado state government and I am trying to help her understand her options through the state's pension program (PERA). I'm hoping that someone else has experience with this program and can share their perspectives... Welcome to the Forum. I'm a CoPERA retiree: left after five years of employment, chose "hybrid" plan 13 years later. Most important thing to understand: CoPERA modifies its rules and regulations and standards etc somewhat regularly. I could recount my saga of how many times and ways changes were made after I'd left the job: redefining vesting, increasing ages of qualifications, recalculating to much-lowered benefit amounts (I missed the "Grandfather" by 92 days!), etc. PERA thr...
by Flobes
Fri Sep 01, 2023 11:05 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: [Offensive term removed] by FedEx…
Replies: 49
Views: 6049

Re: [Offensive term removed] by FedEx…

My Amazon packages include a photo of the delivery. Any more info that can be gleaned? I love Amazon. I love that they take a picture where it was delivered. That way I know they did their job. Meaning if they said it was dropped off I can see my front door and see that it was in fact dropped off. If it is missing, it is not their problem. The Amazon photo solves nothing security-wise. The delivery person can pick it back up, a neighbor or passerby can take it, etc. Just today, posted on NextDoor neighbors blog, is a query "Anyone recognize this porch?" photo, from someone whose correctly-addressed FedEx package shows "delivered" but the image is not of their house. It's a small town, yet so far no replies... I saw the ...
by Flobes
Fri Sep 01, 2023 7:16 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: [Offensive term removed] by FedEx…
Replies: 49
Views: 6049

Re: [Offensive term removed] by FedEx…

My Amazon packages include a photo of the delivery. Any more info that can be gleaned? I love Amazon. I love that they take a picture where it was delivered. That way I know they did their job. Meaning if they said it was dropped off I can see my front door and see that it was in fact dropped off. If it is missing, it is not their problem. The Amazon photo solves nothing security-wise. The delivery person can pick it back up, a neighbor or passerby can take it, etc. Just today, posted on NextDoor neighbors blog, is a query "Anyone recognize this porch?" photo, from someone whose correctly-addressed FedEx package shows "delivered" but the image is not of their house. It's a small town, yet so far no replies...
by Flobes
Fri Sep 01, 2023 6:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Retirement income at Medicaid/ACA threshold - what's best?
Replies: 31
Views: 1838

Re: Retirement income at Medicaid/ACA threshold - what's best?

FishTaco wrote: Fri Sep 01, 2023 6:25 pm
livelovelaugh00 wrote: Fri Sep 01, 2023 5:19 pm Assuming the medicaid coverage is comparable good in your state, does state claws it back in the end?
My understanding is the clawback period is age 55-64, but before then - no clawback.
Here, the clawback is only for long-term health care costs. And the clawback is against the estate, not the individual.
by Flobes
Fri Sep 01, 2023 6:19 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Retirement income at Medicaid/ACA threshold - what's best?
Replies: 31
Views: 1838

Re: Retirement income at Medicaid/ACA threshold - what's best?

For those of you who retired before being medicare-eligible, what has been your experience with either medicaid or ACA plans just above the medicaid threshold? I've heard conflicting reports of which one is optimal and... I danced that limbo line. And I sought the advice of my primary care physician. She said, where we live, everyone takes everything: hospitals, doctors, clinics, etc. So here it's free Medicaid vs low-cost ACA. In many places, this is not the case, where access to health care via Medicaid is not at all good. However, my physician elaborated that Medicaid has more limitations of what is covered, and restricts some of what she is able to order or prescribe as well as some treatment options. So I chose ACA, and got my income ...
by Flobes
Thu Aug 31, 2023 3:11 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Donating I bonds to avoid capital gains tax
Replies: 33
Views: 3206

Re: Donating I bonds to avoid capital gains tax

Question: If IBonds are Inherited by a charity, are there taxes due on all the interest earned? If yes, are the taxes assessed to the estate? Or does it become tax free?
by Flobes
Sun Aug 27, 2023 4:00 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Curious Amazon Fraud?
Replies: 26
Views: 4167

Re: Curious Amazon Fraud?

Wanderingwheelz wrote: Sun Aug 27, 2023 3:52 pm Jeff@amazon.com is soon to be urban legend.

It’s spitting out automated replies based on AI, and has been for some time. True, it used to be the way to get your concern handled by a human being, but no more.
Ah... so sad.

Worked for me as always, not too long ago. In the back and forth some humanity comic levity was added, but maybe that was indeed AI.

Guess we'll have to hang on the Forum to learn where Amazon will be sequestering the real humans in the future, for we may still need them when weirdness pops up from time to time.
by Flobes
Sun Aug 27, 2023 3:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Curious Amazon Fraud?
Replies: 26
Views: 4167

Re: Curious Amazon Fraud?

So, somehow someone ordered something and it got crossed with my account, credit card and address, yet it didn't register in my account and I received none of the usual emails associated with a purchase. I logged on to Amazon to try and report this but, of course, you can only check from a preselected list of choices none of which applies to this case. Welcome to the Forum. Email jeff@amazon.com. Send a polite, succinct message describing the entire situation, including pertinent details. That email address is monitored by real and helpful humans. Expect a prompt (w/in 24-hrs, usually far less), complete and kind response. "Jeff" has more authority, resources and capabilities than do CSRs when you call call or chat online. "...
by Flobes
Sun Aug 27, 2023 2:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Soc Sec WEP - Pension Amount
Replies: 41
Views: 5183

Re: Soc Sec WEP - Pension Amount

ApeAttack wrote: Sun Aug 27, 2023 11:05 am Thanks for all your help so far.
You're most welcome.

I sent you a private message.
by Flobes
Sun Aug 27, 2023 8:45 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Soc Sec WEP - Pension Amount
Replies: 41
Views: 5183

Re: Soc Sec WEP - Pension Amount

I started working at my full time job where I pay both into a pension (CalPERS) and social security at age 30. If I retire at 60 and exceeded the "substantial earnings" limit each year (30 years of paying into SS), does that mean WEP doesn't apply to me? If so, then would I have no reduction in my SS benefit? You contributing to a non-covered pension means YOU are subject to WEP... No. You are not subject to WEP. WEP applies only when you receive a pension from a job where you did not contribute to SS (or meet other criteria). And your pension is covered; you are contributing to Social Security at this job where you are garnering the future pension. (Plus you'll have the bonus of 30 "substantial" years that eliminates W...
by Flobes
Sat Aug 26, 2023 11:47 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Soc Sec WEP - Pension Amount
Replies: 41
Views: 5183

Re: Soc Sec WEP - Pension Amount

Awesome. Now I just have to understand how the government pension offset would impact my spouse if I pass away. When it is applicable, GPO impacts your ability to collect survivor and spousal benefits based on your spouse's income. Your spouse's collecting spousal (while you're alive) or survivor (when you're dead) SS benefits that are based on yours is only subject to GPO if that spouse is collecting a "non-covered" pension. When you are collecting a pension from a job where you did not contribute to Social Security (aka "non-covered"), GPO can reduce spousal/survivor benefits by two-thirds of the amount of the pension. This is not you: you are "covered" by your SS contributions. A pension from a job where So...
by Flobes
Sat Aug 26, 2023 9:44 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New car extended warranties
Replies: 68
Views: 5250

Re: New car extended warranties

There are plenty of gotchas in those agreements. A major one is their definition of wear and tear items is much broader than yours. You are not getting the warranty coverage that you think you are getting. Another Gotcha: Honda extended warranties are based on two discrete factors: mileage or age. Meaning certain prescribed maintenance must be performed either at so many miles OR before the anniversary date of your ownership. I put very few miles on mine. Keeping Honda warranties in effect forced me into unnecessary annual expenses for services required not for the health of the car but for the health of the warranty. I spoke with Honda corporate about this: even if a car sits in a garage for an entire year without moving, failure to do an...
by Flobes
Sat Aug 26, 2023 8:35 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Soc Sec WEP - Pension Amount
Replies: 41
Views: 5183

Re: Soc Sec WEP - Pension Amount

ApeAttack wrote: Fri Aug 25, 2023 11:05 pm I only recently found out about WEP, and it's a bit confusing for me.

I started working at my full time job where I pay both into a pension (CalPERS) and social security at age 30. If I retire at 60 and exceeded the "substantial earnings" limit each year (30 years of paying into SS), does that mean WEP doesn't apply to me? If so, then would I have no reduction in my SS benefit?
Yes, exactly.

Under current law, once you have 30 "substantial" years of SS earnings then WEP no longer applies to you, and receiving your pension will not create any impacts or reductions to your SS benefits.
by Flobes
Mon Aug 21, 2023 10:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Keeping in touch from Europe
Replies: 59
Views: 4219

Re: Keeping in touch from Europe

CtScrtDsse wrote: Mon Aug 21, 2023 1:05 pm Do you have any recommendations on where to start? Go to Verison or AT&T and ask about their international plans?
My TMobile 55+ Plan (for those older than 55) includes free data and text in more than 200 countries. It's worked flawlessly in Europe, the Middle East, SE Asia, Japan, Australia.

international phone calls are just 25 cents a minute. No roaming charges.

No changing SIMs or adding eSIMs or purchasing extra international benefits are required.

I mostly use WhatsApp for free longer voice conversations to friends and family.
CtScrtDsse wrote: Mon Aug 21, 2023 1:05 pm Or do these cruises carry Wi-Fi that she could log on to a computer and send a quick email?
Yes.
by Flobes
Mon Aug 21, 2023 11:15 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How do Long Term Travelers and Nomads handle housing and their stuff?
Replies: 14
Views: 2560

Re: How do Long Term Travelers and Nomads handle housing and their stuff?

Last year, for 11-week Dec-Feb travel, I left my home in the Colorado mountains. how do maintain your car while you are away? It stays in the garage, plugged into a battery maintainer. Your plants? Fill bathtub with @5" of water. Soak and mist the plants. Place plants on stands so they are above (not in) the water. Set the shower curtain so they have some but not much light. Leave cacti and succulents on east facing window ledge. Water before departure; after that they're on their own. I made up the system, and it works amazingly well. I lost but 1 of 20+ plants I abandoned. Your lawn? Problem is snow. Nothing screams abandoned house like virgin accumulations, and it needs to be kept up to be manageable. My guy shovels and plows at his...
by Flobes
Thu Aug 17, 2023 10:34 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Israel Travel Questions
Replies: 55
Views: 5394

Re: Israel Travel Questions

It looks like I'll be able to make a side trip from Istanbul to Jerusalem. Yeah, I'll basically have three full days in Israel, so may consider going to The West Bank the 2nd day. Three days is barely enough time to visit a significant city, let alone a diverse country, let alone two countries. What are you most interested in seeing and doing? You've not yet told us. Share, and we can offer suggestions. It is probably best to not plan on visiting The West Bank but maybe keep it open as a possibility if there's a defrosting going on in early October when I am planning to be in Jerusalem. In 2019, a "defrosted" time, I visited the West Bank for six days. Visited many meaningful historical sites, some lovely villages, olive and date...