Search found 18 matches

by want2er
Fri Nov 19, 2010 4:33 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Anyone in the New Orleans area?
Replies: 39
Views: 16652

Baton Rouge.
by want2er
Fri Nov 19, 2010 4:33 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Anyone in the New Orleans area?
Replies: 39
Views: 16652

Baton Rouge.
by want2er
Thu Sep 16, 2010 2:51 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 100% Fixed Income in Pimco Total Return
Replies: 27
Views: 5918

OK, here I go, showing my lack of knowledge AGAIN! Why the difference in expense ratios for the same fund? Is this related to the size of the employer or the size of the company they've chosen to manage the retirement fund or both or other factors?

TIA!
by want2er
Thu Sep 16, 2010 1:53 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 100% Fixed Income in Pimco Total Return
Replies: 27
Views: 5918

Re: 100% Fixed Income in Pimco Total Return

CoderDude wrote:Would you feel safe having 100% of your fixed income in the Pimco Total Return fund? The fund is available in my 401k with a low expense ratio of 0.27%.
Thoughts?
Fund envy! Pimco Total Return is the only bond fund offered in my 403b, but with an expense ratio of 0.71%!
by want2er
Tue Sep 14, 2010 6:33 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Term Life Insurance for Gastric Bypass patient
Replies: 15
Views: 3317

am wrote:I hate to say this, but would it not be much easier to just eat less, exercise more, and become educated about nutrition than to undergo a life threatening surgery with potential post-op complications? I don't think you have to report a history of obesity to the insurance company if you are a healthy weight (could be wrong).
I hate to say this, but wouldn't it be easier to just say less, show compassion more, and become educated about obesity before you offer an opinion that doesn't even address the poster's question?
by want2er
Sun Sep 12, 2010 10:50 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Roth Beneficiary Designations - Estate Tax vs. Income Tax
Replies: 44
Views: 4347

then the Will will be left with the house and about $100k in non-qualified funds. And we would largely lose the capture of two marital deductions (estate tax on circa $500k as of 1/1/2011). Of course, if Congress raises the threshold for estate taxes above $2mm, that problem goes away. BH....I'm no expert, but I think this is incorrect. You do not need a trust to capture the 2 marital deductions. How many wives does he have? When he dies, he can leave as much as he wants to his wife because of the unlimited marital exemption. That is marital number one. Marital number two is when his wife dies and leaves everything to her new husband. Is that what you both have in mind? Sscritic, OOPS! I meant to say "two tax exemptions" not &quo...
by want2er
Sun Sep 12, 2010 9:24 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Roth Beneficiary Designations - Estate Tax vs. Income Tax
Replies: 44
Views: 4347

BHChinook wrote:then the Will will be left with the house and about $100k in non-qualified funds. And we would largely lose the capture of two marital deductions (estate tax on circa $500k as of 1/1/2011). Of course, if Congress raises the threshold for estate taxes above $2mm, that problem goes away.
BH....I'm no expert, but I think this is incorrect. You do not need a trust to capture the 2 marital deductions.
by want2er
Sat Sep 11, 2010 10:20 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Roth Beneficiary Designations - Estate Tax vs. Income Tax
Replies: 44
Views: 4347

[/quote]

Doesn't this support the idea that spouse should get the TIRA and pay
taxes at her lower bracket? and that kids should get Roth?[/quote]

Agree. Plus the Roth will be more valuable if stretched over the kids' longer life expectancy. See Ed's books for examples of the tremendous compounding of Roth for young beneficiaries.

BH.....I suggest that you post your questions in the forum on Ed's website. I would like to see the feedback there.
by want2er
Sat Sep 11, 2010 10:00 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Roth Beneficiary Designations - Estate Tax vs. Income Tax
Replies: 44
Views: 4347

BHChinook wrote: As I mentioned before, I already have a Roth and a TIRA, both about equal in amount. I'm not asking about whether to convert or not. I'm asking whether it's better to have my kids direct beneficiaries to the Roth or to the TIRA (the other would stay under my spouse's control). My new attorney said the Roth; it seems to me it should be the TIRA. My spouse would almost certainly be in a lower tax bracket than my kids.
[/quote]

BHChinook....

Yes, your 2 accounts are equal in AMOUNT ($700k each) but they are NOT equal in VALUE since Uncle Sam hasn't taken his portion of the TIRA yet!
by want2er
Sat Sep 11, 2010 4:19 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Roth Beneficiary Designations - Estate Tax vs. Income Tax
Replies: 44
Views: 4347

The issue of this thread is: How do you interact a Roth with a Bypass trust in a Will to reduce estate taxes? I understood my "new" attorney to say that making a Roth beneficiary the "Trustee of a Trust Created Under a Will..." would result in the Roth being distributed at the time of my death. My intent would be to have the Roth transferred to the beneficiaries of the Trust (my wife and then my children). Is there a wording that will achieve this? This is QUESTION 1. The answer is YES a trust can be the beneficiary of your Roth. When you set it up, you will instruct the trust on how/when to pay out the money...lump sum, stretch, anything inbetween. However, if you're willing to give your beneficiaries full access to th...
by want2er
Sat Sep 11, 2010 12:36 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Roth Beneficiary Designations - Estate Tax vs. Income Tax
Replies: 44
Views: 4347

Ed Slott's website is www.irahelp.com

My understanding is that the purpose of a trust is to exercise post-death control.

2 quick quotes from Ed....

"....there is no tax benefit that can be gained with a trust that cannot be gained without one!"

"The only reason to name a trust as the beneficiary of your IRA is for personal (nontax) reasons, such as restricting access....."
by want2er
Sat Sep 11, 2010 12:28 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Roth Beneficiary Designations - Estate Tax vs. Income Tax
Replies: 44
Views: 4347

Ed Slott's website is www.irahelp.com

My understanding is that the purpose of placing an IRA in a trust is to exercise post-death control.

2 quick quotes from Ed....

"....there is no tax benefit that can be gained with a trust that cannot be gained without one!"

"The only reason to name a trust as the beneficiary of your IRA is for personal (nontax) reasons, such as restricting access....."
by want2er
Thu Sep 02, 2010 3:05 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Can I Roll Money Out of 401k while still participating?
Replies: 11
Views: 1898

Interesting. I have a 403b through employer (hospital). Heard from another employee that we can do "in-service" roll-over to TIRA at age 59 1/2 of portion we contributed, not matching from employer. I have an appointment tomorrow with rep from investment company & plan to confirm details. Seems like a good idea to move if/when I can.
by want2er
Thu Sep 02, 2010 3:02 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Can I Roll Money Out of 401k while still participating?
Replies: 11
Views: 1898

Interesting. I have a 403b through employer (hospital). Heard from another employee that we can do "in-service" roll-over to TIRA at age 59 1/2 of portion we contributed, not matching from employer. I have an appointment tomorrow with rep from investment company & plan to confirm details. Seems like a good idea to move if/when I can.
by want2er
Fri Aug 27, 2010 5:12 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: creating small TIPS ladder in Roth????
Replies: 6
Views: 932

[/quote]

I like the TIP etf and oatmeal raisin cookies.[/quote]

Thanks to all for the recommendations.

P.S. I prefer chocolate chip cookies. :D
by want2er
Fri Aug 27, 2010 3:25 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: creating small TIPS ladder in Roth????
Replies: 6
Views: 932

Thanks, Al. I'll look into Fidelity. I know that many say MF & ETF holding treasuries would work the same but I would prefer to stick with the actual TIPS as much as possible (I think??? :? ).
by want2er
Fri Aug 27, 2010 2:52 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: creating small TIPS ladder in Roth????
Replies: 6
Views: 932

creating small TIPS ladder in Roth????

Late to the game. Just learning & looking for some feedback. I'm single, soon be 54, thinking that I'll be working 8-9 more years. SS, 403b, small Roth, and small taxable savings will be sources of income. I'm planning to fully fund my Roth each year until retirement ($6000/yr). Anyone have an opinion on buying TIPS at auction each year until retirement so that I slowly create a (very small) "ladder"? The past few years have convinced me that I want more security & less risk.

Thanks!
by want2er
Tue Aug 10, 2010 10:39 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: The best time to buy......
Replies: 14
Views: 4475

I prefer Canon & they have huge rebates every October. Watch their website for details.