Search found 51 matches

by apk
Fri Oct 09, 2015 11:48 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Roth Conversions and the Vanishing 25% and 28% Tax Bracket
Replies: 59
Views: 12837

Re: Roth Conversions and the Vanishing 25% and 28% Tax Bracket

One additional matter to consider is how much will be in your regular IRA when you must take RMD. If your regular IRA is likely to be large, e.g., one million or more, your RMD may surprise you. It may be a lot higher than you had expected. Converting to a Roth is one way to drive down your RMD. There are RMD calculators that can estimate a future RMD.
by apk
Thu Sep 24, 2015 2:05 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Too many credit cards?
Replies: 46
Views: 6026

Too many credit cards?

I currently have three credit cards that I use with some regularity, i.e., each month. I am a member of Costco and in several months they will be changing which credit card they will accept for purchase in their stores. Right now, it is American Express. I think it will be Visa when the change is made. Right now, I don't have a Visa card. I really don't want a fourth credit card. Can I deactivate one of the three cards I currently use without affecting my credit score. I have a high credit score and don't want to endanger it. I seem to remember that if you stop using one of your cards, your credit score could be affected.
by apk
Fri Jul 17, 2015 2:11 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Medicare Rx at Costco
Replies: 8
Views: 1230

Re: Medicare Rx at Costco

If your wife has a prescription, she should be able to pay cash even if the drug is included in her Part D plan. The insurance company is not requiring your wife to use its service. Maybe she didn't bring the prescription with her to Costco? If she has a prescription and is willing to pay cash, Medicare should not care at all.
by apk
Fri Jul 10, 2015 12:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: [Trust beneficiary - Adviser not acting in best interest, investments]
Replies: 14
Views: 2097

Re: [Trust beneficiary - Adviser not acting in best interest, investments]

If the trustee can justify investments under the "prudent person" rule, then you won't have any success with your challenge. The trustee does not have to produce outsize returns. All the trustee must demonstrate is that he/she/it is acting as a prudent person.
by apk
Sat Mar 07, 2015 9:45 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard Utilities Index
Replies: 5
Views: 1179

Vanguard Utilities Index

For 2015 this fund is down around 5 percent. I know this is a very short time frame, but does anyone know why it is so far down. I know it is down because utility stocks are down. So my real question is: Why are utility stocks down so much in such a short period of time.
by apk
Fri Dec 19, 2014 12:07 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Buying Vanguard Energy Index
Replies: 22
Views: 4300

Re: Buying Vanguard Energy Index

Previously, I owned shares of Vanguard Energy Index. At some point I realized how volitile this fund was (is?), so I sold all my shares. I've never looked back.
by apk
Sat Nov 29, 2014 9:31 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Question re Medicare bills?
Replies: 13
Views: 2795

Re: Question re Medicare bills?

Your father might be eligible for a program called Medicare Savings Program. Call your state SHIP office to find an agency that will help him apply. If his only income is Social Security and if his resources (saving account, checking account. stocks, bonds, etc.) are minimal, the MSP could be a big help.
by apk
Fri Oct 24, 2014 11:33 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: NJ - Buying house in flood zone (FEMA)?
Replies: 48
Views: 8071

Re: NJ - Buying house in flood zone (FEMA)?

I live in a floodway fringe in Indiana. Flood insurance is mandatory. It is based on the balance of your mortgage. As you pay off your mortgage, your flood insurance prmium should decrease. This decrease is not, however, automatic. You must confirm that you want your premium adjusted to your lower mortage balance.
by apk
Fri Oct 17, 2014 1:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: [Confused with Medigap Options]
Replies: 39
Views: 3753

Re: [Confused with Medigap Options]

Call SHIP in North Carolina. These are volunteers who help people with Medicare questions. They are unbiased.
by apk
Tue Oct 07, 2014 9:02 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Financial crises are inevitable
Replies: 3
Views: 682

Financial crises are inevitable

If you believe that financial crises are inevitable, e.g., financial institutions will be reckless because they believe they will always be bailed out, how do you build these crises into your investment strategy? My guess is that there is no way to avoid a loss when a crisis occurs, but do you have a strategy in place to minimize the loss?
by apk
Sat Sep 06, 2014 8:37 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: IEX and Flash Boys
Replies: 2
Views: 812

IEX and Flash Boys

Does anyone know if Vanguard uses IEX to broker its buy and sell orders? In Michael Lewis' book, Flash Boys, IEX is considered the only stock market exchange that really treats buyers and sellers fairly. Most of my holdings are in Vanguard index funds. This should mean that the only time Vanguard has to buy or sell shares of specific companies is when those companies are added to or deleted from the index. This should mean that Vanguard is only likely to be on the short end of the stick when indexes change membership. In those instances (when a new company must be added or deleted), Vanguard is forced to buy or sell. IEX is new, so Vanguard could not have used it 5 or or years ago. But it is now available and I'm wondering in Vanguard is ta...
by apk
Tue May 20, 2014 7:59 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Tax question
Replies: 6
Views: 508

Tax question

This year, I intend to sell between 10K and 12K to cover certain expenses I will have. My two choices are my taxable Total Stock Market fund account and my I bond account. I am in the 25% marginal tax bracket. I think this means that if I use my taxable TSM account, this sale will be taxed at 15%. I'm not clear on what the tax would be if I sold I bonds. Which, if either, of these two choices will cost me the least in tax due?

Thanks.
by apk
Sun Mar 30, 2014 11:39 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Redrawn flood zone map puts portion of property in FZ
Replies: 25
Views: 7517

Re: Redrawn flood zone map puts portion of property in FZ

Do you have a mortgage? If you do, then you will have to have flood insurance. The amount of flood insurance you must carry depends on the size of your mortgage. The lower your mortgage, the lower coverage you must carry. If you are mortgage free, then you don't have to have flood insurance.
by apk
Fri Jan 10, 2014 2:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Special Needs Trust and Attorney Suggestions
Replies: 13
Views: 1699

Re: Special Needs Trust and Attorney Suggestions

Contact your state ARC. It might operate its own special needs trust. If not, it should be able to give you the names of several attorneys.
by apk
Sat Nov 23, 2013 11:02 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Masters in Mental Health Counseling
Replies: 21
Views: 2028

Re: Masters in Mental Health Counseling

I don't want to be the voice of doom, but this work is thankless. The pay is low. The mental health system is designed to fail. She might be better off choosing another vocation and volunteering for this kind of work. Volunteering once a week for a couple of hours might give her fulfillment. Doing this 40 hours a week is a whole different story.
by apk
Tue Nov 12, 2013 10:09 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: If you were retired, how would you spend your time?
Replies: 90
Views: 12962

Re: If you were retired, how would you spend your time?

I am retired. My day works great for me, but probably won't work for many others. In the morning I read several newspapers online. In late morning I exercise. In warmer weather I either walk 2-3 miles or I ride my bike -- around 10-12 miles. (I used to ride around 20 miles, but my body is no longer willing.) In winter, I keep walking about the same amount or ride an indoor bike for between 40 minutes and one hour at a time. I exercise between 4 and 6 days a week.

Around noon, I eat lunch. Then, for the rest of the afternoon I read a book and take naps.

Come evening, I spend time with my wife.

Like I said, this is a great retirement for me, but probably won't work for many others.
by apk
Mon Oct 14, 2013 10:35 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Healthcare.gov: Can now view plans without account.
Replies: 49
Views: 7379

Re: Healthcare.gov: Can now view plans without account.

SSN688 wrote:The most consistent number I'm getting for equivalent coverage, deductible, OOP fees, etc using various calculators (including Kaiser Foundation) is running about 75% higher than I'm currently paying under a separate private Blue Cross/Blue Shield plan. Thank you, Washington DC, for making my life easier.
Are you comparing comparable plans? As I understand it, many private plans currently in effect are not as comprehensive as the plans required under the ACA. You might be paying more for an ACA plan, but it may be much richer in benefits.
by apk
Sun Oct 13, 2013 12:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Extra year-end cash from RMD
Replies: 6
Views: 908

Extra year-end cash from RMD

I think I will have around $5,000 in cash after taking my RMD for this year. I see two options: (1) put the $5,000 in a taxable account, maybe Total Stock Market; (2) convert $20,000 from my traditional IRA to my Roth IRA and use the $5,000 to pay the tax. My marginal tax rate is 25%. Which of the two options would you recommend? Or do you have a third option for me to consider? Thanks.
by apk
Tue Sep 17, 2013 9:21 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Spousal benefits
Replies: 10
Views: 1471

Spousal benefits

I am retired and began collecting Social Security when I was 63. I am now 71. My wife is 65 and has not yet started collecting Social Security. She intends to wait until she is 70 before collecting. Here is my question: Is there any value in her applying for spousal benefits when she is 66? Would this have a negative impact on what she would collect if she waited to collect her full benefit at age 70? We are fortunate. We don't need additional Social Security to make ends meet. The reason I'm asking this question is my (mis)understanding of the spousal benefit makes it look like a free lunch. As an example, if my wife would collect $300 a month as a spousal benefit and my Social Security check remains the same, we are $300 to the good. Then...
by apk
Wed Jul 31, 2013 8:45 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Homes as Investments?
Replies: 101
Views: 9635

Re: Homes as Investments?

My wife and I bought our home in 1995 for $217,000. Let's assume we sold it today for $317,000. That looks like a profit of $100,000. But it really isn't. We had a 30 year mortgage. If we kept the home for all 30 years, the interest from the mortgage would result in a total cost of $405,398. Because we paid off our mortgage after around 10 years, our total cost -- down payment plus monthly mortgage payments came to a total of $279,086. So our "real gain" is $62,086. This, of course, does not include property tax, maintenance, etc. And if we had kept our home for the full 30 years we would need a sales price of at least $405,398 just to break even. I have always thought it odd that people simply compare the buying price with the se...
by apk
Fri Jul 19, 2013 2:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medigap or Advantage? Lots of info/Lots of questions.
Replies: 119
Views: 11817

Re: Medigap or Advantage? Lots of info/Lots of questions.

Are you sure about the timeframes for upgrading and downgrading Medicare supplements? Maybe the information you have is from a specific insurer? I am under the impression that each insurer is open to doing what they want once the initial enrollment period is over.
by apk
Fri Jul 19, 2013 12:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medigap or Advantage? Lots of info/Lots of questions.
Replies: 119
Views: 11817

Re: Medigap or Advantage? Lots of info/Lots of questions.

orlandoman wrote:For those that say that the MA plans are a lot more expensive to taxpayers .... you you please support that with data that represents the current state of affairs?
Take a look at any of the annual MedPAC reports. MedPAC is congressionally mandated to comment to Congress on Medicare and related issues. It consistently reports that MA is more costly than regular Medicare.

Just consider, for example, the "free" dental care, eye care, and gym memberships available to MA members. Those services are not free. Someone is paying for them. Guess who?

Also, to my knowledge, Medigap is fiscally self-sufficient. Unlike MA or Part B or Part D, all of whom rely on taxpayer subsidies, Medigap sinks or swims on it own.
by apk
Fri Jul 19, 2013 11:30 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medigap or Advantage? Lots of info/Lots of questions.
Replies: 119
Views: 11817

Re: Medigap or Advantage? Lots of info/Lots of questions.

MA plans are often less costly to individual policy holders, but they are a lot more expensive to taxpayers. If all recipients of MA received, instead, regular Medicare, the savings to taxpayers would be in the BILLIONS. Like others have said previously, there is no free lunch. It might be free on the micro level for the individual but it is certainly not free on the macro level to the taxpayer.
by apk
Mon Jul 15, 2013 1:12 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: AARP Medigap Plan F. - Your experience w. rate increases?
Replies: 29
Views: 22058

Re: AARP Medigap Plan F -- your experience w. rate increases

I tried sending this earlier, but it did not seem to go through...so I'm trying again. AARP has a unique premium price when first enrolling. You receive a 30% discount. This discount disappears over a ten year period, three percent each year. Premium wise what this means is that if your regular premium increase would be 2%, then you total premium increase for the year would be 5%. When you initially choose your Medigap plan, there is no medical underwriting. Each year thereafter, so long as you stay with the same company and the same plan, their is no underwriting. Pay your premiums and you remain covered. However, as I understand it, if you want to choose a different plan with the same insurer, the insurer has the option of asking about me...
by apk
Thu Jun 06, 2013 2:31 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard's Bogle: Yesterday Sound & Fury Signifying Nothing
Replies: 16
Views: 3142

Re: Vanguard's Bogle: Yesterday Sound & Fury Signifying Noth

I'm amazed that they keep inviting him back. What he says goes against what they hype. But he does say it politely. Maybe they don't understand what he is saying?
by apk
Thu May 16, 2013 2:37 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard Flagship Phone Problem
Replies: 6
Views: 1179

Re: Vanguard Flagship Phone Problem

Flagship service has been good. No complaints from me. I would think, however, that your Flagship rep would probably have been unable to respond to a tax question.
by apk
Sun May 12, 2013 9:18 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to protect against big medical bills?
Replies: 41
Views: 7615

Re: How to protect against big medical bills?

No, I understand the limits are separate and the drug part technically has no limit on your costs. I just meant the drug co-pays become pretty minimal at the catastrophic stage, so there is almost a cap on that part. For example in my area the AARP-UHC complete plan covers both drugs and medical with no extra premium and if you get to the catastrophic stage the drug co-pays are $2.65, $6.60, or 5%. The medical has max out of pocket of $4450 and the drugs have that a sort of max of $4700, so your combined maximum cost is sort of $9150 plus the $103 or whatever the standard medicare premium is (with only the additional small drug co-pays after that). Medicare, without a supplement, is truly open ended, you pay 20% for most medical costs, wit...
by apk
Sat May 11, 2013 11:10 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to protect against big medical bills?
Replies: 41
Views: 7615

Re: How to protect against big medical bills?

I think a Medicare Advantage cap is limited to Part A and Part B -- the medical costs. If the MA plan also covers prescription drugs, that part of the plan is unlimited. For example, if the cap is set at $4,500, that covers medical costs, not prescriptions. Prescription costs is open-ended. Well, sort of... Once you've spent $4,700 out-of-pocket for the year, you're out of the coverage gap. Once you get out of the coverage gap (Medicare prescription drug coverage), you automatically get "catastrophic coverage." It assures you only pay a small coinsurance amount or copayment for covered drugs for the rest of the year. http://www.medicare.gov/part-d/costs/catastrophic-coverage/drug-plan-catastrophic-coverage.html I'm probably doing...
by apk
Thu May 09, 2013 10:03 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to protect against big medical bills?
Replies: 41
Views: 7615

Re: How to protect against big medical bills?

Check with your state SHIP office to find out which, if any, insurance companies offer Medigap policies to people under 65 and disabled. In Indiana, for example, effective June 1, 2013, no insurance company will offer Medigap policies to people under 65 and disabled. They will have to wait until age 65 to be eligible for a Medigap policy in Indiana.
mur44 wrote:Consider getting the best health insurance so that your Out-Of-Pocket (OOP)is close to zero (0). You can do this by buying supplemental (Medigap) planfor him as he is on SSD. You can purchase Medicare Part D plan.
by apk
Thu May 09, 2013 7:58 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to protect against big medical bills?
Replies: 41
Views: 7615

Re: How to protect against big medical bills?

I think a Medicare Advantage cap is limited to Part A and Part B -- the medical costs. If the MA plan also covers prescription drugs, that part of the plan is unlimited. For example, if the cap is set at $4,500, that covers medical costs, not prescriptions. Prescription costs is open-ended.

You might try NeedyMeds.com. This is non-profit. It lists companies you can apply to for help paying for prescriptions.
by apk
Sat May 04, 2013 1:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Q for Medicare Experts
Replies: 47
Views: 5240

Re: Q for Medicare Experts

I live in Indiana, the Indianapolis area, and have had no problem finding doctors when I need them. Perhaps the Medicare logjam might focus on primary care doctors? I can see where the new law might create problems for people receiving Medicare and looking for a primary care doctor, but I would be surprised if there are frequent logjams waiting to see specialists, surgeons, for example.
by apk
Sun Apr 28, 2013 7:15 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Q for Medicare Experts
Replies: 47
Views: 5240

Re: Q for Medicare Experts

DM 200, I hope you are right about the taxpayer costs for regular Medicare and MA coming more into line over the next several years, but the skeptic in me says taxpayers will continue to pay a lot more for MA recipients. According to MedPAC (Medicare Payment Advisory Committee) taxpayers now pay 6 billion more for MA recipients than they do for recipients of regular Medicare. If all MA recipients were in regular Medicare, it would cost taxpayers 6 billion less. Even though you would think this is a no brainer, no one -- neither Congress nor the president (and certainly not insurance companies) -- wants to do anything that would seriously hurt MAs bottom line. MA recipients may love the extra benefits they receive, but these benefits are not...
by apk
Sat Apr 27, 2013 8:17 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Q for Medicare Experts
Replies: 47
Views: 5240

Re: Q for Medicare Experts

If you choose a MA plan when you first turn 65 and then, sometime within the first 12 month of joining, decide you want to switch to the Original Medicare Plan, you can do so and purchase any Medigap plan A through L sold in your area. This is a special trial right period . Your Medigap agent should be familiar with it. If your MA plan also includes drugs, when you drop the MA plan you also drop drug coverage. You can purchase a Part D plan. Some agents might tell you that you can't purchase a drug plan until the next open enrollment period. Tell them to look up "Other SEP 65" or "OTH SEP 65." This is a relatively new option that allows you to choose a drug plan under the trial right period. Some Part D agents might be u...
by apk
Thu Apr 11, 2013 8:40 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Sanity check a newbie portfolio, special needs trust
Replies: 2
Views: 564

Re: Sanity check a newbie portfolio, special needs trust

Once your child becomes of age he/she might be eligible for benefits like Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). These benefits are intended to pay for basics like food, shelter, and medical care. A special needs trust is designed to pay for costs not paid by benefits such as Medicaid and SSI. You might want to contact the Arc in your state. It may offer a special needs trust or it may know of others who offer this kind of trust.
by apk
Sat Apr 06, 2013 7:53 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: VGHAX vs. VHCIX
Replies: 2
Views: 4507

VGHAX vs. VHCIX

For many years I have owned shares in Vanguard health care funds. Initially, I owned shares in VGHCX -- Vanguard's Health Care fund investor shares. More recently I have owned shares in VGHAX -- Vanguard's Health Care fund Admiral shares. Would it be worthwhile to exchange my VGHAX shares for VHCIX -- Vanguard's Health Care Index Admiral shares? I know the primary advisor for VGHAX has retired and that is a motivator for thinking about this switch. I would be going from an actively managed fund to an index -- an index that focuses in the same area. To reach the minimum required for the Admiral Index Health Care fund, I would need to sell some of my other holdings to reach its minimum. I am not troubled about having to sell other funds. I ex...
by apk
Mon Apr 01, 2013 6:46 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Worst case planning for Social Security
Replies: 16
Views: 1983

Re: Worst case planning for Social Security

My wife and I never factored Social Security into our retirement. But, boy, it has made all the difference between a decent standard of living during retirement and a comfortable standard of living.
by apk
Sun Mar 31, 2013 11:34 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Any recent changes to VTINX?
Replies: 17
Views: 4121

Re: Any recent changes to VTINX?

SSCritic: I profit from many of your comments, but this one seemed unnecessarily nasty.
by apk
Sat Mar 09, 2013 9:39 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: SSDI => Medicare
Replies: 8
Views: 1386

Re: SSDI => Medicare

Another issue for your friend to consider is health insurance for what Medicare does not pay. Typically, Medicare pays 80 percent of the bill. Your friend would pay the other 20 percent. Your friend could choose a Medicare supplement, but she won't have much choice until she is 65. For some reason there are not many supplement options until she is 65. Then, she can choose any supplement she wants. Normally, I don't like Medicare Advantage plans, but in this instance a MA plan might be your friend's best option. Most MA plans include prescription drugs. If she doesn't want a MA plan, or if the one she wants does not cover prescriptions, she would be eligible for a Part D (prescripton drug) plan. She could, of course, self-insure paying the c...
by apk
Fri Feb 15, 2013 10:59 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medigap Plan G vs Plan F?
Replies: 107
Views: 35675

Re: Medigap Plan G vs Plan F?

Correct me if I am wrong, but if you are choosing a Medigap policy, then you can use any doctor you want. The limit on doctors only applies if you are choosing a Medicare Advantage plan. With Medigap, the only potential limit on doctor choice is if the doctor you want does not accept Medicare as payment in full. Then, you would have to pay the difference between what Medicare pays (including your Medigap policy) and what the doctor charges. Some Medigap policies also cover the excess cost.
by apk
Thu Feb 14, 2013 3:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medigap Plan G vs Plan F?
Replies: 107
Views: 35675

Re: Medigap Plan G vs Plan F?

I think Kaiser Health just did a study on Medigap policies. One of its conclusions was that the monthly premium for the same plan varied dramatically from company to company. Calling a slew of companies is time-consuming. Also, in many cases you are asked for your name, address, and phone number. An agent will eventually call you back. Recently I went through this process for my wife. With some companies, I did not have to give my name, etc. I was able to immediately speak with an agent and the agent was low-key, i.e., he/she did not try to sell me a plan. He/she responded to my question about the monthly premium by giving me the premium cost. Here are several companies along with their toll-free numbers: Aetna - 1-888-436-9678. Humana - 1-...
by apk
Tue Jan 29, 2013 6:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Saving [by] Reducing Standby Power
Replies: 36
Views: 4606

Re: Saving [by] Reducing Standby Power

I have been using Power Strip for maybe a decade. One Power Strip is for my computer, computer screen, and printer. I have another for my tv, dvr, and speakers. When I first plugged them in, I did keep track of electric usage. I don't remember the specifics, but I did save energy. I also saved money, but I was more interested in saving energy. I cannot do much to fight the utility companies when they raise their rates. What I can control somewhat is the amount of power I use.
by apk
Tue Dec 18, 2012 3:28 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Do You Regret Buying Individual Bonds/Treasuries/TIPS/Munis?
Replies: 23
Views: 3510

Re: Do You Regret Buying Individual Bonds/Treasuries/TIPS/Mu

I started buying individual 10 year TIPS when they first came out. Each year, as one batch matured, I bought another batch. I've been happy with this approach. This year, however, I will not buy new 10 year TIPS. My reason has nothing to do with its rate of return. Recently, I started investing in the Target Retirement 2010 fund. This fund includes TIPS. At this point in my investing life, that is an easier approach for me. Now, as my existing TIPS mature, I intend to use some of them to meet my RMD.
by apk
Thu Dec 13, 2012 8:40 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: TurboTax - How many returns?
Replies: 14
Views: 15176

Re: TurboTax - How many returns?

Do the answers above also apply for people who get TurboTax through Vanguard's Flagship service? I think this use of TurboTax is at no cost. Can users still get up to five federal tax returns?
by apk
Fri Oct 12, 2012 12:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Choosing part D. Same drug, same pharmacy, $6.50 vs $111?
Replies: 27
Views: 3818

Re: Choosing part D. Same drug, same pharmacy, $6.50 vs $111

I do not use my insurance for drugs anymore. Many food stores/pharmacies sell 90 day supplies of generics for $10-$12. Simvastatin included. Often when they put my ins info in, it comes back costing more. I don't use CVS, its the most expensive of all. I never signed up for part d. For what it's worth, you may want to sign up for Part D, but continue using the food store/pharmacy where you get your 90 day supply for $10 - $12. You would choose the Part D plan with the least expensive montlhy premium. Or you might combine the least expensive premium with the least expensive deductible. (Many plans have a $0 deductible.) Why would you do this? If you get sick during the year and need a brand name drug(s), you would have to pay for full cost ...
by apk
Fri Oct 12, 2012 8:52 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Choosing part D. Same drug, same pharmacy, $6.50 vs $111?
Replies: 27
Views: 3818

Re: Choosing part D. Same drug, same pharmacy, $6.50 vs $111

I don't remember the exact percentages (short-term memory lose) but a few days ago I read about renewals for Part D coverage. A significant percentage of Part D recipients were unaware that they could change plans between 10/15 and 12/8. Another significant percentage never bothered to compare plans. They simply kepts the same plan each year. The smalled percentage (I suspect) actually compared plans.

In using the Plan Finder, did you see any other plans that offered the same meds, but at lower total cost to you?
by apk
Thu Oct 11, 2012 2:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: The Long-Term Care Insurance Gamble
Replies: 81
Views: 7117

Re: The Long-Term Care Insurance Gamble

I'm going on memory, so take what I am about the share with a grain of salt. Concerning whole life policies and applying for Medicaid, if the policy has a cash value, the cash value counts as a resource to the applicant and must be spent on care before Medicaid will pay. If the policy is term life, then there is no cash value and the policy will not count as a resource in determining eligibility for Medicaid.
by apk
Sat Sep 22, 2012 10:20 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medicare Medigap policy cost
Replies: 68
Views: 38077

Re: Medicare Medigap policy cost

You can go to the Medicare webcite for information on Medigap supplemental plans. The cite gives you a listing of all the plans and describes what they cover. Once you pick a specific plan, e.g., Plan F, you can get a listing of all the companies that sell this plan. The hard part is contacting several of these companies to compare prices. Attained age is least expensive when you are younger, but automatically becomes more expensive each year as you age. Issue age is more expensive when you are younger, but increases less dramatically as you age. My personal preference was to go with issue age. I've talked to too many people who went with attained age and now, because of their age, are having a difficult time with their premiums.
by apk
Wed Jul 04, 2012 7:52 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Is being too conservative just as risky
Replies: 24
Views: 3411

Re: Is being too conservative just as risky

I am paraphrasing, but I think Peter L. Bernstein (Against The Gods: The Remarkable Story Of Risk) defines risk as "Not having the money you need when you need it." That's worked for me.
by apk
Wed Jul 04, 2012 7:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Recumbent exercise bike recommendations needed
Replies: 26
Views: 7924

Re: Recumbent exercise bike recommendations needed

Is there a used sports equipment store near you? If so, why not try out the used recumbent bikes they have in shop? I did this and bought the used bike that worked best for me. It was a Pro-Form. I don't remember reading reviews on this particular bike, but I have had it for three or four years and I'm not sorry. The big thing for me was trying it out and feeling comfortable with it. It was the best of the bikes I tried that day.
by apk
Tue Jun 19, 2012 10:03 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medigap F for folks with "conditions"?
Replies: 25
Views: 4198

Re: Medigap F for folks with "conditions"?

An insurance company cannot turn you down during your Medigap Guaranteed Issue Priod, also called the Open Enrollment Period. This period lasts for 6 months. It starts on the first day of the month in which you are both 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this time, the insurance company cannot deny you any Medigap policy it sells or charge you more than the standard rate for any Medigap policy because of your health problems (medically underwrite your policy). In succeeding years, so long as you continue paying your premium, the insurance company cannot drop you. For example, if you develop an expensive health problem, your company cannot drop you. However, let's say several years go by and you want to switch companies. You...