So the $0 credit line means she has nothing left to access on the reverse mortgage?morsetaper2 wrote: Thu Feb 06, 2025 6:00 pm$418,000 is the latest "Loan Balance". IOW, the amount to payoff and free her from the rev mortgage loan.delamer wrote: Thu Feb 06, 2025 5:41 pm
So what does the $418,000 loan balance refer to in your original post?
Search found 19154 matches
- Thu Feb 06, 2025 7:42 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Understanding My Mother's Reverse Mortgage Situation
- Replies: 20
- Views: 1369
Re: Understanding My Mother's Reverse Mortgage Situation
- Thu Feb 06, 2025 7:39 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Notice that SS check debited for past due medical insurance premiums
- Replies: 8
- Views: 759
Re: Notice that SS check debited for past due medical insurance premiums
It’s possible that that notification will arrive soon. With handoffs between and within agencies, one may process a change before the other has notified you.
But the notice would be that I owed IRMAA in 2023 (based on 2021 MAGI) and 2024 (based on 2022) income. So it seems like it is already a year late.
And this would upend everything I thought I knew about IRMAA after your spouse passes away. Maybe I needed to file an appeal redetermination due to the death of a spouse.
Let’s say my income was as follows:
2021 MFJ $150k
2022 MFJ $150k (this is the year the spouse passes)
2023 Single $75k
2024 Single $75k
Maybe I should have asked that my 2023 and 2024 be determined based on 2023 and 2024. I didn’t think that was necessary ...
- Thu Feb 06, 2025 5:41 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Understanding My Mother's Reverse Mortgage Situation
- Replies: 20
- Views: 1369
Re: Understanding My Mother's Reverse Mortgage Situation
So what does the $418,000 loan balance refer to in your original post?morsetaper2 wrote: Thu Feb 06, 2025 3:42 pmI do have the most recent statement in hand.bsteiner wrote: Thu Feb 06, 2025 3:35 pm How much is the credit line on the reverse mortgage as of now? It should be on the most recent statement.
These lines referring to "Credit Line" are taken from the statement:
Original Credit Line: $0.00
Current Gross Credit Line: $0.00
Unsch. Credit Line Disb. Bal. (-): $0.00
Net Credit Line Set Aside (=): $0.00
OK, I guess that answers my question #1?
- Thu Feb 06, 2025 5:34 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Notice that SS check debited for past due medical insurance premiums
- Replies: 8
- Views: 759
Re: Notice that SS check debited for past due medical insurance premiums
It’s possible that that notification will arrive soon. With handoffs between and within agencies, one may process a change before the other has notified you.SuzBanyan wrote: Thu Feb 06, 2025 5:29 pmI did wonder about that. But wouldn’t I have gotten a letter at some point? And if it did kick in, it would have to be because I was filing as a Single in 2023 and 2024 but my combined income with deceased husband when we filed MFJ in 2021 and 2022 exceeded the IRMAA limits for those filing Single.delamer wrote: Thu Feb 06, 2025 5:21 pm Any chance that IRMAA kicked in without the SSA/Medicare catching it on a timely basis?
- Thu Feb 06, 2025 5:27 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Applying for Senior Living facilities for parents
- Replies: 18
- Views: 1245
Re: Applying for Senior Living facilities for parents
I’d leave off the farm, especially since it is an illiquid asset.
I’m assuming that they aren’t attesting to information that will be given to a government entity for any reason.
I’m assuming that they aren’t attesting to information that will be given to a government entity for any reason.
- Thu Feb 06, 2025 5:21 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Notice that SS check debited for past due medical insurance premiums
- Replies: 8
- Views: 759
Re: Notice that SS check debited for past due medical insurance premiums
Any chance that IRMAA kicked in without the SSA/Medicare catching it on a timely basis?
- Thu Feb 06, 2025 9:56 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Understanding short-term investing vehicles
- Replies: 6
- Views: 539
Re: Understanding short-term investing vehicles
This is the option that we use: https://investor.vanguard.com/investmen ... ofile/vgsh
It gets corporate bonds out of the mix.
It gets corporate bonds out of the mix.
- Wed Feb 05, 2025 10:01 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Potential Job Loss Questions
- Replies: 29
- Views: 3502
Re: Potential Job Loss Questions
It’s a tough time to be a fed.
Cutting your spending to the bone for the foreseeable future is the most effective action you can take for now.
No eating out, coupon cutting & shopping sales for groceries, no new clothes, no travel, no streaming services, turn down the thermostat (assuming you are in a winter climate), and likely others that I’m forgetting.
If you don’t have a budget or track your expenses currently, then you can use your recent credit card bills and checking account withdrawals to determine what you’ve been spending and how you’ve spent it. And, going forward, spend a lot less.
Finally, have a serious talk with your wife about finding work and developing a career going forward. Unless you have a significant life ...
Cutting your spending to the bone for the foreseeable future is the most effective action you can take for now.
No eating out, coupon cutting & shopping sales for groceries, no new clothes, no travel, no streaming services, turn down the thermostat (assuming you are in a winter climate), and likely others that I’m forgetting.
If you don’t have a budget or track your expenses currently, then you can use your recent credit card bills and checking account withdrawals to determine what you’ve been spending and how you’ve spent it. And, going forward, spend a lot less.
Finally, have a serious talk with your wife about finding work and developing a career going forward. Unless you have a significant life ...
- Wed Feb 05, 2025 8:24 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Need for spousal consent to withdraw from 403b ERISA plan New: TIAA POA info
- Replies: 11
- Views: 1233
Re: Need for spousal consent to withdraw from 403b ERISA plan
Have you contacted the 403b custodian to see of they will accept a general POA?Katietsu wrote: Wed Feb 05, 2025 8:12 pm OP here. I understand the requirement for the spousal consent. My question is what happens if a spouse is incapacitated and unable to give consent. It seems like a water water everywhere and not a drop to drink situation where the account owner could be destitute with no access to their own funds. I am wondering if a general POA would allow the account holder to also sign the spousal consent. Otherwise, it seems that every married person with ERISA 403bs should move their accounts to an IRA.
- Wed Feb 05, 2025 7:22 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: UGMA for grandchild at Vanguard
- Replies: 4
- Views: 512
Re: UGMA for grandchild at Vanguard
That’s what I am uncertain about, the mechanics.Makefile wrote: Wed Feb 05, 2025 7:15 pm It is UTMA (the 1986 revision), not UGMA (the 1966 equivalent)
Presumably the child's parent just opens the account and gives you the account number. You've ruled out discussing anything else about it unless someone can speak to the mechanics of transferring shares.
You may be right that my child needs to be the one to set up the account.
- Wed Feb 05, 2025 12:24 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: RMD
- Replies: 26
- Views: 2459
Re: RMD
So the annuity is inside a Traditional IRA?
I know that if you own a Traditional IRA and a 401(k), that any RMD must be taken from each according to its balance. You can’t sum the required amounts and take them from just one account.
But if you have multiple traditional IRAs, then you can determine that RMD for each but take the total required amount from any one (or more).
I don’t know if the annuity changes that. Interested to find out.
I know that if you own a Traditional IRA and a 401(k), that any RMD must be taken from each according to its balance. You can’t sum the required amounts and take them from just one account.
But if you have multiple traditional IRAs, then you can determine that RMD for each but take the total required amount from any one (or more).
I don’t know if the annuity changes that. Interested to find out.
- Wed Feb 05, 2025 12:10 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: UGMA for grandchild at Vanguard
- Replies: 4
- Views: 512
UGMA for grandchild at Vanguard
We want to establish a UGMA at Vanguard for our (very) minor grandchild.
Here’s the particulars:
We plan to fund the account by transferring shares — of an individual stock, ETF, mutual fund, or some combination — from my Vanguard taxable account.
Our child and child-in-law will be the custodian and successor custodian. Our child already has accounts at Vanguard (not sure about CIL).
While I will not be a custodian, I want to be able to continue to make contributions of shares over time to the UGMA. (I assume this is not a problem since I transfer shares to my child’s taxable account each year. I have no ownership or custodianship of that account either.)
Our grandchild’s parents have approved the plan, and are aware of tax ...
Here’s the particulars:
We plan to fund the account by transferring shares — of an individual stock, ETF, mutual fund, or some combination — from my Vanguard taxable account.
Our child and child-in-law will be the custodian and successor custodian. Our child already has accounts at Vanguard (not sure about CIL).
While I will not be a custodian, I want to be able to continue to make contributions of shares over time to the UGMA. (I assume this is not a problem since I transfer shares to my child’s taxable account each year. I have no ownership or custodianship of that account either.)
Our grandchild’s parents have approved the plan, and are aware of tax ...
- Wed Feb 05, 2025 10:43 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Investment for 26-year-old
- Replies: 10
- Views: 467
Re: Investment for 26-year-old
To answer your question — no, very little.
Either choice is good.
My personal preference is to have some international exposure, but Bogleheads can reasonably disagree about that.
Either choice is good.
My personal preference is to have some international exposure, but Bogleheads can reasonably disagree about that.
- Wed Feb 05, 2025 10:34 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Need for spousal consent to withdraw from 403b ERISA plan New: TIAA POA info
- Replies: 11
- Views: 1233
Re: Need for spousal consent to withdraw from 403b ERISA plan
You can move it to an IRA.
The regulations are in place to protect the spouse from being financially damaged by the account owner, through not being made aware of withdrawals.
Are you sure about moving money from the 403b to an IRA without spousal consent? Once the money is in an IRA, there's no required spousal consent, so how would the spouse's interest be protected?
RM
I didn’t intend to suggest the there was no spousal consent required to do a rollover out of the 403b. I don’t know, and it may vary by plan (see link below).
Once the rollover is completed though, you won’t have to deal with spousal consent for future withdrawals. That’s the work around.
There isn’t any spousal protection with an IRA that I’m aware of; it’s ...
- Tue Feb 04, 2025 10:14 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Need for spousal consent to withdraw from 403b ERISA plan New: TIAA POA info
- Replies: 11
- Views: 1233
Re: Need for spousal consent to withdraw from 403b ERISA plan
You can move it to an IRA.
The regulations are in place to protect the spouse from being financially damaged by the account owner, through not being made aware of withdrawals.
The regulations are in place to protect the spouse from being financially damaged by the account owner, through not being made aware of withdrawals.
- Tue Feb 04, 2025 10:08 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Best non-Tesla EV?
- Replies: 140
- Views: 9960
Re: Best non-Tesla EV?
I have a 2023. Also problem free.Vogatrice wrote: Mon Feb 03, 2025 3:13 pm I’m really enjoying my all-electric Volvo XC-40. I’ve had it a year now and it’s been flawless. Cost a bit more than you suggested, but if you have a bit of wiggle room, take a look.
You can get a used one now in the low $30’s.
The range is not great, however. About 230 miles as long as the temperature is 50 degrees plus. When it’s colder, it’s more like 180 miles. So a significant drop.
- Tue Feb 04, 2025 6:06 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: What Investments Should Retiree Liquidate to Buy Vacation/Investment Home
- Replies: 19
- Views: 1644
Re: What Investments Should Retiree Liquidate to Buy Vacation/Investment Home
Possibly some combination of the above, although touching Roths is frowned upon here if not absolutely necessary.
We can’t give good advice without knowing about your other income, your income tax brackets (federal, state, local), and the capital gains in your taxable account.
You can use a tax calculator to test out various scenarios, in terms of federal taxes: https://www.dinkytown.net/java/1040-tax-calculator.html
We can’t give good advice without knowing about your other income, your income tax brackets (federal, state, local), and the capital gains in your taxable account.
You can use a tax calculator to test out various scenarios, in terms of federal taxes: https://www.dinkytown.net/java/1040-tax-calculator.html
- Tue Feb 04, 2025 5:52 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Simplicity
- Replies: 7
- Views: 1422
Re: Simplicity
Here are some options from the Bogleheads’ wiki: https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Lazy_portfolios
You can adjust the allocation percentages to reflect the level of equities (US & international) that you are comfortable holding.
Keep in mind that you will eventually need to take RMDs, assuming you don’t hold all Roth IRAs. You won’t need to spend the RMDs, but you will have to pay income taxes on them.
You can adjust the allocation percentages to reflect the level of equities (US & international) that you are comfortable holding.
Keep in mind that you will eventually need to take RMDs, assuming you don’t hold all Roth IRAs. You won’t need to spend the RMDs, but you will have to pay income taxes on them.
- Tue Feb 04, 2025 5:45 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Money is there, WTB WTB [Want to Buy, What to Buy]
- Replies: 5
- Views: 704
Re: Money is there, WTB WTB
Or a Vanguard LifeStrategy Fund: https://investor.vanguard.com/investmen ... gy-funds#/
(Not knowledgeable about fees for non-Fidelity funds there.)
- Tue Feb 04, 2025 1:54 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Investment Advice for my 77 y/o Father with 2m
- Replies: 66
- Views: 10817
Re: Investment Advice for my 77 y/o Father with 2m
That’s correct about deferring the first RMD until April 1 of 2026. But he’ll also have to take his 2026 RMD in the calendar year too. And that doubling up can cause some people to be bumped into a higher tax bracket.HawaiiFiveO wrote: Tue Feb 04, 2025 1:39 pm It is also his first year taking RMDs with his main account.
Fidelity said by the end of 2025 but an article from 2024 I read said:
"Your first withdrawal has to be made by April 1st of the following year"
"If you fail to make the withdrawal, the penalty is 50% of the amount"
- Tue Feb 04, 2025 1:38 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: 1st post: 80 year old newbie with concerns about entering the market during these unsettled times
- Replies: 39
- Views: 3439
Re: 1st post: 80 year old newbie with concerns about entering the market during these unsettled times
That may be fine in the short term. But the OP is concerned about the finances of his considerably younger wife if he dies first
First thing is to determine what his wife’s Social Security benefit will be if she survives him. Probably, it is the larger of the two benefits that each is receiving now. But that can be verified.
Then determine what his wife’s expenses will look like after he’s gone. Some things will obviously decrease, like food and medical premiums. But others, like expenses for the house — if she stays in it — will not drop significantly.
Once they know how much she’ll need to withdraw from their portfolio to cover her expenses, they can make better decisions about their asset allocation. A low withdrawal rate might ...
- Tue Feb 04, 2025 11:06 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Automotive Branded Credit Card?
- Replies: 5
- Views: 670
Automotive Branded Credit Card?
I’m interested in finding out about credit cards issued through automotive companies, and whether one is worth considering.
I’ve tried to research this online, but the information I found is pretty old in terms of finding out about multiple cards in one place. Have not researched by brand.
I’m particularly interested in whether it’s feasible to accumulate enough points for significant savings on vehicle purchases, leases, and repairs.
We charge roughly $100,000/year, although we probably wouldn’t shift all of it to a new card.
We tend toward luxury brands, like Audi, Volvo, Mercedes.
Charges are paid off every month.
Any recommendations, pro or con?
I’ve tried to research this online, but the information I found is pretty old in terms of finding out about multiple cards in one place. Have not researched by brand.
I’m particularly interested in whether it’s feasible to accumulate enough points for significant savings on vehicle purchases, leases, and repairs.
We charge roughly $100,000/year, although we probably wouldn’t shift all of it to a new card.
We tend toward luxury brands, like Audi, Volvo, Mercedes.
Charges are paid off every month.
Any recommendations, pro or con?
- Tue Feb 04, 2025 10:43 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Joint credit card with DW a neccesity (after passing)?
- Replies: 56
- Views: 3851
Re: Joint credit card with DW a neccesity?
I still have an AT&T Universal Card from that era! It’s in my name only; I wasn’t yet married when I got it and I never added my husband to it.22twain wrote: Mon Feb 03, 2025 7:45 amLikewise with our Citi Rewards+ Mastercard. It was originally our AT&T Universal Card, issued 1991, back when joint cards were apparently more common. All our (my) other cards are individual ownership/responsibility.jdubsdubs wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 10:45 am our joint Fidelity Rewards Visa (issued by Elan Financial/US Bancorp), Experian lists a “Responsibility” field and the field says “Joint”.
- Tue Feb 04, 2025 10:31 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: 1st post: 80 year old newbie with concerns about entering the market during these unsettled times
- Replies: 39
- Views: 3439
Re: 1st post: 80 year old newbie with concerns about entering the market during these unsettled times
If I’m reading your post right, your SS covers your expenses and you have 1/3 left over. Why take on any additional risk?
That may be fine in the short term. But the OP is concerned about the finances of his considerably younger wife if he dies first
First thing is to determine what his wife’s Social Security benefit will be if she survives him. Probably, it is the larger of the two benefits that each is receiving now. But that can be verified.
Then determine what his wife’s expenses will look like after he’s gone. Some things will obviously decrease, like food and medical premiums. But others, like expenses for the house — if she stays in it — will not drop significantly.
Once they know how much she’ll need to withdraw from their ...
- Tue Feb 04, 2025 10:13 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Federal Employees Nearing Retirement (5-8 years): Should We Adjust Our 80/20 Asset Allocation Amid Job Uncertainty?
- Replies: 61
- Views: 8092
Re: Federal Employees Nearing Retirement (5-8 years): Should We Adjust Our 80/20 Asset Allocation Amid Job Uncertainty?
Given your concerns, I’d put a couple years of expenses in your after-tax account. You could either reduce your G Fund allocation to keep bonds/cash at 20% or allow the bonds/cash allocation to drift up.
Being able to cover your expenses for awhile with no tax consequences is a good position to be in. And if you are unemployed for a significant amount of time, you can tap the G Fund and pay little in taxes.
Good luck; between the job uncertainty and (for many) the loss of work-from-home opportunities, feds are not in a good place now. I’m expecting to get word that a lot of my former colleagues are retiring ASAP.
We could have a side-discussion about this strategy, but I wouldn't do this. I'm one of those who was convinced by ...
- Sun Feb 02, 2025 5:23 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: roll my own target date fund to save cost?
- Replies: 10
- Views: 1175
Re: roll my own target date fund to save cost?
Note also that the TDF is an actively managed fund, while your other options are index funds.
I agree with earlier suggestions of picking one of the index funds, consistent with your desired overall retirement portfolio allocation, and putting everything in it. You can easily rebalance later as the account grows.
I agree with earlier suggestions of picking one of the index funds, consistent with your desired overall retirement portfolio allocation, and putting everything in it. You can easily rebalance later as the account grows.
- Sun Feb 02, 2025 10:55 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Simplifing daughters taxable brokarage account
- Replies: 11
- Views: 522
Re: Simplifing daughters taxable brokarage account
You might be correct, but my initial impression was the same as lazynovice’s.chrisdds98 wrote: Sun Feb 02, 2025 10:50 ami think you're misinterpreting the post. I think its supposed to be 70k in value, not cap gains.lazynovice wrote: Sun Feb 02, 2025 10:44 am In one part of the post, you say there are 70K in capital gains for VFSUX but then you say later there is a loss of 4K?
And I agree with Watty that the 40-year-old “girl” should be posting herself.
- Sun Feb 02, 2025 10:44 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Does an Annuity make sense?
- Replies: 28
- Views: 2019
Re: Does an Annuity make sense?
Thanks for all the replies!
I am glad I asked, it reinforced my initial thoughts. Other than these annuities I have liked and agreed with most of what he has said (we have only met with him twice). I am curious what he will suggest in detail, and I plan to ask a lot of questions and see how he reacts when I tell him to take annuities off the table. He already knows that we want to manage our own funds but are open to allocation/fund suggestions within our existing accounts (TSP, Fidelity and T Rowe Price). I am really only looking for advice on a Roth conversion plan and preparing for a withdrawal strategy once I retire. We are doing fee only with him so we can stop anytime.
I'll report back after our meeting.
Glad to hear that you ...
- Sun Feb 02, 2025 10:39 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: [Should I change my asset allocation?]
- Replies: 6
- Views: 432
Re: [Should I change my asset allocation?]
Have you ever heard anyone say “the markets are calm now and sill be for the foreseeable future?”
Of course not. People always think the markets are volatile, and so many look for a solution to protect themselves from that volatility.
The best way to do that is to find an allocation that you can live with and stick with, regardless of what’s going on with the markets.
Maybe 30% stocks and 70% bonds, with a healthy dose of short-term Treasuries in the bonds?
Two core Boglehead principles are “Never Try To Time The Market” & “Stay The Course.”
https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Boglehe ... philosophy
Good luck.
Of course not. People always think the markets are volatile, and so many look for a solution to protect themselves from that volatility.
The best way to do that is to find an allocation that you can live with and stick with, regardless of what’s going on with the markets.
Maybe 30% stocks and 70% bonds, with a healthy dose of short-term Treasuries in the bonds?
Two core Boglehead principles are “Never Try To Time The Market” & “Stay The Course.”
https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Boglehe ... philosophy
Good luck.
- Sun Feb 02, 2025 10:28 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: FEHB Retirees can now delay Medicare B w/o Penalty?
- Replies: 41
- Views: 4027
Re: FEHB Retirees can now delay Medicare B w/o Penalty?
Look, no one should believe everything they read on the internet.archii wrote: Sun Feb 02, 2025 9:52 amtwo seperate reps, spread 6 months apart, and the original poster who was told through a medicare training seminar.tj wrote: Sun Feb 02, 2025 9:49 am![]()
The GS-5 (or contractor) must have been confused.
If that major loophole was true, everyone would know about it and not just the one rep who told you.

And you’re the one who bears the consequences if you act based on bad information.
But, to use an unfortunate metaphor, you are beating a dead horse. You are misinformed.
- Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:28 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Does an Annuity make sense?
- Replies: 28
- Views: 2019
Re: Does an Annuity make sense?
Thanks!
When he mentioned annuities, I knew little about them other than I heard they were not a good idea. He said that the bad ones were variable and SPIA (Single Premium Immediate) and that Fixed Annuities (MYGA), Indexed Annuities (Growth) and Indexed Income Annuities were better.
I thought he was a fiduciary, but I will ask again.
We meet again next week to see the details of what he is proposing. I think he wants to leave the majority of our portfolio in equities where I currently have them ( T Rowe Price, Fidelity and TSP) but put some money in a 'protected' area where he is suggesting these annuities for peace of mind.
I was already leery of annuities and based on the responses even more so. I am curious to see the details ...
- Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:20 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: FEHB Retirees can now delay Medicare B w/o Penalty?
- Replies: 41
- Views: 4027
Re: FEHB Retirees can now delay Medicare B w/o Penalty?
Only if you are an active employee. Retiree plans don't count.
If you are retired, you don't have an employer.
To confirm, I just spoke to a medicare representative today. She in fact did say that as long as I am insured (FEHB) and there is no break in coverage, I do not need to be employed to be able to defer, without penalty, taking part B as long as desired. This confirms what I had researched before. I was concerned after reading this thread, but she assured me that there will be no penalty IF I decide to sign up for Part B later, much later in fact. I even asked her that "if I am retired, on FEHB, and waited ten years, would I be assessed a penalty when I sign up for part B?" No is what she told me. Several times to be exact ...
- Sat Feb 01, 2025 6:11 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Does an Annuity make sense?
- Replies: 28
- Views: 2019
Re: Does an Annuity make sense?
Also, you can buy an annuity directly through the TSP without commissions.
https://www.tsp.gov/publications/tspfs24.pdf
If your pensions and social security cover your basic expenses, then you don't even need an annuity. But that is a separate question.
The bolded comment is absolutely correct. Your original plan is good — use your assets to make up the shortfall before your SS starts.
He’s trying to sell you a product that makes him a hefty commission, but isn’t in your best interest. If you haven’t given this guy access to your funds yet, don’t. If you have given him access, tell him you’ve changed your mind and you are going to manage your own money.
In addition, someone with a portfolio that is so large relative to their ...
- Sat Feb 01, 2025 5:51 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Married filing jointly
- Replies: 19
- Views: 1458
Re: Married filing jointly
It is a negotiation. It depends on how integrated your want your finances to be. And one part of the negotiation could be whether one partner having an AUM advisor whose actions that neither of you controls is in your joint best interest.
You always can file separately, but that’s probably going to mean that your total taxes paid will be higher.
You always can file separately, but that’s probably going to mean that your total taxes paid will be higher.
- Sat Feb 01, 2025 5:29 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Market volatility versus stay the course
- Replies: 37
- Views: 4285
Re: Market volatility versus stay the course
This chart showing the historical concentration of the top 10 stocks in the S&P500 is interesting: https://globalfinancialdata.com/s-p-market-concentration-hits-a-new-all-time-high
It looks like the range has been from about 15% to 36%. Seems like 25% or more is not unusual.
Your link is dead but it's currently at ~36%, not 25%.
https://i.ibb.co/ym0zQVDx/Image.png
It doesn’t tell us anything about the industry concentration level though.
Obviously past performance does not predict future performance but the last time concentration of the SP500 was so high was the nifty 50 era in the 60s. The unwind of that bubble led to an ~80% decline in nifty 50 over the course of 6 years. This also corresponds to the period where the 4 ...
- Sat Feb 01, 2025 12:14 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Bernstein makes me wonder if I'm doing bonds all wrong? Seeking advice.
- Replies: 93
- Views: 9951
Re: Bernstein makes me wonder if I'm doing bonds all wrong? Seeking advice.
He specifically says in the quote that Treasury ETFs are fine, and uncomplicated, during accumulation.
And TIPS funds work OK for decumulation if you want to avoid complications.
We use Treasury ETFs and some individual treasuries. We are retired but not doing withdrawals due to adequate pension & Social Security income.
We are following his advice on bonds and avoid corporates.
And TIPS funds work OK for decumulation if you want to avoid complications.
We use Treasury ETFs and some individual treasuries. We are retired but not doing withdrawals due to adequate pension & Social Security income.
We are following his advice on bonds and avoid corporates.
- Sat Feb 01, 2025 11:57 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Should my parents pay for a financial planner in retirement?
- Replies: 31
- Views: 2793
Re: Should my parents pay for a financial planner in retirement?
It totally depends on the amount of handholding they need/want and their ability to do things like use a computer to engage in financial transactions and email. I have relatives who pay 1% and use every penny of it. They want multiple in person meetings every year to review everything in detail, constantly fret about money, are bad with tech and struggle with simple bill payments, could not be trusted to follow instructions on raising cash, etc. People here consistently fail to realize that investing your assets is only a small part of the service offered by a FA.
If your parents ask your opinion (and only if they do) let them know about less expensive options. But the choice is not yours, no matter how angry it may make BHs.
This is ...
- Fri Jan 31, 2025 7:31 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Joint credit card with DW a neccesity (after passing)?
- Replies: 56
- Views: 3851
Re: Joint credit card with DW a neccesity?
Is that an absolute?
Our principal reward card is in my husband’s name, with me as authorized user. And I’d like to keep it if he goes first.
I do have a card in my name as the sole user and we have another that actually is joint. So I wouldn’t be “creditless.”
- Fri Jan 31, 2025 5:52 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Investment Advice for my 77 y/o Father with 2m
- Replies: 66
- Views: 10817
Re: Investment Advice for my 77 y/o Father
Slight correction:
You don't take out more RMDs. The RMD is the minimum you MUST withdraw, but you can
withdraw more.
You cannot convert the RMD to Roth, but you can convert any additional withdrawal.
The advantage of withdrawing extra is that though it increases the tax in the current year,
there are no RMDs on whatever you have converted, which would allow for a lower RMD
in the next tax year.
What may interest your father more if he hates taxes:
If your father contributes to charity, he can make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD).
This can count as part of the RMD. QCDs are not taxed, and you don't have to itemize.
I would do that early in the year. QCDs can be made after age 70 1/2 , so he is eligible.
This ...
- Fri Jan 31, 2025 3:35 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: VTI for stock ETF in Merrill Edge taxable?
- Replies: 11
- Views: 825
Re: VTI for stock ETF in Merrill Edge taxable?
Looking globally, it depends on what your goal and timeframe is.
If you are saving for a house downpayment that you’ll spend within 2 years, then you don’t need a stock fund at all.
If you are saving for retirement in 30 years, sure.
If you are saving for a house downpayment that you’ll spend within 2 years, then you don’t need a stock fund at all.
If you are saving for retirement in 30 years, sure.
- Fri Jan 31, 2025 3:30 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Met with a CFP today.
- Replies: 63
- Views: 6610
Re: Met with a CFP today.
Why do you think you need a CFP now?
Bogleheads don’t lean toward stocks. We lean toward creating an appropriate portfolio for your needs, using index funds for each part of the allocation. Although some of us aren’t that keen on bond funds.
Bogleheads don’t lean toward stocks. We lean toward creating an appropriate portfolio for your needs, using index funds for each part of the allocation. Although some of us aren’t that keen on bond funds.
- Fri Jan 31, 2025 1:48 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: $80k long term capital gain this year
- Replies: 27
- Views: 2953
Re: $80k long term capital gain this year
Again, use the calculator linked above to assess the federal tax impact.fivedots wrote: Fri Jan 31, 2025 1:46 pm I expect to make $85k in W2 income this year. And also another $4k or 5k from mostly qualified dividends and a little interest.
- Fri Jan 31, 2025 1:47 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Conflicted on Accord- whether to repair or buy new
- Replies: 22
- Views: 1779
Re: Conflicted on Accord- whether to repair or buy new
Buy a newer vehicle with more safety features, like blind spot warning.
That’s how I think it through.
That’s how I think it through.

- Fri Jan 31, 2025 1:43 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Capital Gaines, Divideds, taxes and withdrawals.
- Replies: 15
- Views: 1485
Re: Capital Gaines, Divideds, taxes and withdrawals.
It doesn’t affect your annual taxes, but are you having dividends paid out in cash but capital gains distributions reinvested?
- Fri Jan 31, 2025 1:36 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: $80k long term capital gain this year
- Replies: 27
- Views: 2953
Re: $80k long term capital gain this year
The effect still will differ depending on shether you make $75,000 ot $750,000, or something in between.fivedots wrote: Fri Jan 31, 2025 1:32 pm My taxes are pretty simple. All income is from W2 and I only get a standard deduction. I max-out RothIRA, HSA, and Roth401k.
- Fri Jan 31, 2025 1:31 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: $80k long term capital gain this year
- Replies: 27
- Views: 2953
Re: $80k long term capital gain this year
Try this calculator to get some real numbers in the event you 1) change nothing else or 2) do some tinkering: https://www.dinkytown.net/java/1040-tax-calculator.htmlfivedots wrote: Fri Jan 31, 2025 1:27 pm Yes, I do get a state tax deduction for 529s.
The unrealized losses on everything else amount to about $2,000 dollars, not much to tax loss harvest.
- Fri Jan 31, 2025 1:24 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: $80k long term capital gain this year
- Replies: 27
- Views: 2953
Re: $80k long term capital gain this year
To state the obvious, you should have asked these questions before you sold the shares.
Do you get a state tax deduction for 529 contributions? Do you have a need for an education fund?
Have you run an estimated tax return to see what the effect will be on your taxes owed? It depends on your other income, but it’s unlikely you’ll owe more than $12,000 (although the NIIT could come into play) in federal taxes on the gain.
Do you get a state tax deduction for 529 contributions? Do you have a need for an education fund?
Have you run an estimated tax return to see what the effect will be on your taxes owed? It depends on your other income, but it’s unlikely you’ll owe more than $12,000 (although the NIIT could come into play) in federal taxes on the gain.
- Fri Jan 31, 2025 10:38 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Should my parents pay for a financial planner in retirement?
- Replies: 31
- Views: 2793
Re: Should my parents pay for a financial planner in retirement?
Have they been managing their own investments up until this point?
Do they hold a combination of tax-advantaged accounts [like IRAs and 401(k)s] and taxable accounts?
They are currently “set it and forget it” investors. They buy QQQ when it dips and never sell. Yes, they’ll have a mix of taxable and non-taxable accounts in retirement.
If they are amenable, I agree with the suggestion that you post their information on this forum and get recommendations.
Depending on the number of accounts that they have and the number of assets held within those accounts, it might be a relatively simple portfolio to right size and self manage (or use a service like Vanguard PAS). Or it could be very complex and might need a professional’s hand ...
- Thu Jan 30, 2025 9:14 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Should my parents pay for a financial planner in retirement?
- Replies: 31
- Views: 2793
Re: Should my parents pay for a financial planner in retirement?
Have they been managing their own investments up until this point?
Do they hold a combination of tax-advantaged accounts [like IRAs and 401(k)s] and taxable accounts?
Do they hold a combination of tax-advantaged accounts [like IRAs and 401(k)s] and taxable accounts?
- Thu Jan 30, 2025 4:33 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Dad going into long term care (expensive) - how to adjust parents portfolio
- Replies: 47
- Views: 7901
Re: Dad going into long term care (expensive) - how to adjust parents portfolio
Some dementia is caused by disease that reduces the sufferer’s lifespan. So asserting that dementia patients do not have a significant reduction in life expectancy, without any qualifiers, is overstating.CaptainT wrote: Thu Jan 30, 2025 1:32 pm 1. Dementia patients do not have a significant reduction in life expectancy so may live like this for a decade
2. Look after mom who probably has not lived alone in decades if ever
3. Can mom also downsize at same time decrease overall cost? Do they own a house? If so what value?
4. Is dad a veteran? There are some programs that pay for veteran assistance
But it is true that some dementia patients live a decade or more.