Search found 94 matches

by bill88
Mon Jan 24, 2022 6:32 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Happy 98th Birthday to Taylor Larimore 🎂🍰🎉🎊❤️🎁⭐️
Replies: 264
Views: 19638

Re: Happy 98th Birthday to Taylor Larimore 🎂🍰🎉🎊❤️🎁⭐️

Happy Birthday, Taylor!

Thank you for all your great advice over the years. I wish I'd followed more of it! :happy
by bill88
Fri Apr 24, 2020 6:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Costco Delivery
Replies: 41
Views: 6719

Re: Costco Delivery

We're an hour from one Costco and half an hour from another. We can only get the 2 day stuff via UPS. Yes to Kleenex (rarely), never for TP. Not since day 1. Once in a while, we find an item NOT marked Out of Stock, we click Add to Cart, and get this message: "The item is temporarily unavailable to deliver to [your] zip code. Inventories frequently change. Please check back later." So...the item is available, just not where I live. Makes no sense; delivery is UPS, which delivers here daily, including for Costco. I do think Costco gives preference to the in-store shelves and shorts inventory for online order fulfillment. Maybe they're worried about angry customers who wait on line at the store and then can't find TP on the shelves?...
by bill88
Sun Jan 20, 2019 12:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Who's flying?
Replies: 83
Views: 12498

Re: Who's flying?

I wonder what the overall rate of attrition is. Calling in sick in just one potential problem. But these are relatively high turnover jobs, and I doubt people are clamoring to get hired on (if they’re even allowed to hire during a shutdown?) to fill new vacancies. This could be a problem even if people aren’t leaving positions at a higher than normal rate. Well, today it's 8%, up from a normal 3%. Put another way, TSA is working at 92% capacity, down a bit from a normal 97%. Could worsen over time. But the logjam could break in the next week or two. I thought there was an attempt at passing a bill to pay government workers during the shutdown. Failed, but if things continue, such a bill might pass. I'm not sure that TSA staffers are or wil...
by bill88
Sun Sep 23, 2018 11:25 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Ventilated car seats?
Replies: 61
Views: 7093

Re: Ventilated car seats?

We have a 2017 Lincoln MKC reserve trim and a 2017 Porsche Macan Turbo with ventilated seats. I live in Texas and they are s wonderful to have. When your I get in the car on a hot day it cools the seats down fast. It keeps your bottom and back dry as well from sweating. I highly recommend them in hot climates. Agree. At least in my 12yr. old Lincoln LS, works pretty quick. Hi, medium and low settings. It basically blows cold air through the seat up at your rear end, and out the seat back at your back. If your car is parked in 100 degree sun, it will take a few minutes to overcome the overall heat, but it's quite effective, very noticeable, and very nice. It's been very reliable in this and an earlier Lincoln. Same system in some Fords. Not...
by bill88
Thu Aug 16, 2018 12:40 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Seattle- mandatory affordable housing units affect single family home values?
Replies: 47
Views: 4426

Re: Seattle- mandatory affordable housing units affect single family home values?

Cycle wrote: Thu Aug 16, 2018 6:53 am If it were up to NIMBYs, all housing would be SFOs... And all cities would be horrible unwalkable places, requiring cars to drive our lazy selves everywhere.

People want their own personal version of everything. Why do I need public transit when I can have a 4000lb piece of machinery fabricated every 10 years and let it sit unused 95% of the time? Why do I need a park when I can put a swing set in my big yard? Why do I need a local hotel when I can just build a few extra bedrooms that sit unused 99% of the time? Etc etc
Wait! I've got a solution. Cycle, why don't you buy OP's friend's house. That way, you can be the virtuous YIMBY, living in the shade of the 7-story edifice behind you! :D Problem solved!
by bill88
Thu Aug 16, 2018 12:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Seattle- mandatory affordable housing units affect single family home values?
Replies: 47
Views: 4426

Re: Seattle- mandatory affordable housing units affect single family home values?

No home buyer ever asks their realtor to find them a house with a 7-story building looming over the backyard. So it's hard to see how the house resale value doesn't take a hit. And it could make it a lot harder to sell, even at a lower price. She should get her realtor's feedback on the current and future value of the home. And perhaps explore that job transfer, if she has the option. Assume the 7-story building is a known fact to all realtors in the area, so assume her potential buyers will know about it. Still, better to sell now than after construction begins or the building is up. It's one thing to know the building will come, it's another to actually see it, :shock: and the impacts from it -- on neighborhood traffic, and anything else....
by bill88
Sat Aug 11, 2018 1:13 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Junk Mail
Replies: 28
Views: 3365

Re: Junk Mail

Writing "RTS" on the mail, arrow to return address, and crossing off the zip code of YOUR address works pretty well. But, fyi, lots of mail is from rental lists. Good luck tracking that down, if the people you talk to even know. It's like talking to Verizon. Well, not that bad, but... The thing is, direct mail (junk mail) works, or they'd stop doing it. It costs a ton of money, and the rates go up every year. My guess is if mailers could figure out which people wanted to buy their stuff, they'd mail just to them. Right? I do get that unwanted mail clogs up your mailbox. But there's a flip side — jobs for all the people that produce this stuff. Designers, graphic artists, typographers, writers, editors, marketers, managers, paper m...
by bill88
Sun Apr 15, 2018 3:11 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anti-siphon valve making noise (irrigation system)
Replies: 6
Views: 15485

Re: Anti-siphon valve making noise (irrigation system)

My backflow valve (20+ yrs. old Wilkins 700 Dual Check) is making the same rattling/buzzing noise, quite loud. The only thing that stops it is turning off the shut-off valve for the sprinkler system.

My guess, and it's only that, is your problem is your Febco valve, and not anything else in your sprinkler system. Repairing or replacing your valve should fix it.
by bill88
Tue Feb 13, 2018 12:59 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: RMD Two in One Year
Replies: 15
Views: 2224

Re: RMD Two in One Year

Similar situation. FWIW, here's our query to our cpa, and her reply: "RMD question -- I turn 70.5 in 2019. [wife] turns 70.5 THIS year. (her RMD for 2018, if she takes it, is $31.4k) She can wait to take her first distribution in 2019, but then she would take TWO distributions in 2019. (And in 2019, I have MY first RMD, unless I double up the following year -- 2020.) I 'THINK' it makes sense for her to take her first RMD THIS year, instead of doubling up next year. Does that make sense to you? And does my RMD 'logic' still make sense if we wind up selling this house and buying another one, in 2018?" cpa's reply: "...agree on the RMD—assuming similar income in 2018/2019 as in prior years. We should review again once your 2017 ...
by bill88
Wed Feb 07, 2018 12:06 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Visiting SAN FRANCISCO
Replies: 53
Views: 11660

Re: Visiting SAN FRANCISCO

Another + for Scoma's in Sausalito. Not a huge restaurant, but pleasant wait staff and excellent food. The caprese was superb. (Produce was top-drawer everywhere we went.) Our early August day there was cold, mildly foggy and not too windy. First time back since our honeymoon in '73. Things have changed a bit! Lots more people! Quite a bit more congested, for one thing. Views still spectacular. Curb parking possible with some patience.
by bill88
Tue Sep 19, 2017 5:51 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: ChexSystems site not secure?
Replies: 7
Views: 1471

ChexSystems site not secure?

I went to the site yesterday, and tried Safari, Firefox and Chrome. Chrome says my connection is not private, and tells me it might be a misconfiguration (sloppy security certificate) or an attacker intercepting my connection. Firefox says my connection is not secure, and is more specific: "chexsystems.com uses an invalid security certificate." and "The owner of chexsystems.com has configured their website improperly. To protect your information from being stolen, Firefox has not connected to this website." When I look at the certificate detail, it says the organization is Fidelity National Information Services, which seems legit. Safari said the certificate is invalid when I just typed in ChexSystems.com. But when I typ...
by bill88
Sat Dec 31, 2016 12:47 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Vanguard inherited annuity -- pay tax for it in 2016 or 2017
Replies: 8
Views: 1040

Re: Vanguard inherited annuity -- pay tax for it in 2016 or 2017

Thanks, Bill and Plannerman.

So far, I talked to my CPA, who concluded we could sell the annuity any time in 2017.

Then talked to Vanguard Annuity Dept., who said you have until Maturation Date of Jan. 2, 2017, to sell.

Then posted here.

Finally, called Vanguard Annuity Dept. today, talked to a different staffer, who said Vanguard would automatically sell the annuity on the Maturation date. And since the market is closed that day, they would sell it on the next trading day, Jan. 3, 2017.

So that's our plan. :happy
by bill88
Fri Dec 30, 2016 12:07 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Vanguard inherited annuity -- pay tax for it in 2016 or 2017
Replies: 8
Views: 1040

Re: Vanguard inherited annuity -- pay tax for it in 2016 or 2017

Thanks, Dale and Gill. Not the answer I was hoping for, but that's life.

Cheers,
Bill
by bill88
Thu Dec 29, 2016 7:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Vanguard inherited annuity -- pay tax for it in 2016 or 2017
Replies: 8
Views: 1040

Re: Vanguard inherited annuity -- pay tax for it in 2016 or 2017

It is taxable in 2016 regardless of your election because you had an unconditional right to the proceeds in 2016. Gill Gill, I'm not sure I get it. When my wife's dad passed away, we had the choice to cash it in, annuitize it over the life of my wife, or take a five year period, during which we'd have to sell it. We've sold a portion each of the previous years, but my understanding is we could have sold it all at any point during the five years. The five-year period ends January 2, 2017, but we can't sell the remaining balance in 2017 because the markets and Vanguard are closed. (Not a crisis; it's not a huge amount, and if we have to, we can recognize the remaining balance in 2016. I was just hoping we could recognize it in 2017 if Vangua...
by bill88
Thu Dec 29, 2016 6:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Vanguard inherited annuity -- pay tax for it in 2016 or 2017
Replies: 8
Views: 1040

Vanguard inherited annuity -- pay tax for it in 2016 or 2017

When we sell my wife's inherited annuity, tomorrow, Dec. 30th, we can either have Vanguard direct the proceeds to a Vanguard taxable account -- or they can mail us a check.

If we opt for a check, we won't get it until 2017. Does that mean she won't have to declare it on her taxes until 2017? Or does the 2016 sell date govern?

Anyone know?

Bill

P.S. Per Vanguard's Annuity Dept., maturation date is 5 years from date of death, so Jan. 2, 2017.

Stock Market and Vanguard closed Jan. 1 (Sunday) and Jan. 2 (New Years Day holiday - observed).
by bill88
Fri Nov 18, 2016 12:44 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Vacation spots on Alabama's Gulf coast
Replies: 27
Views: 6964

Re: Vacation spots on Alabama's Gulf coast

surfhb wrote:
wtjbatman wrote:
bradshaw1965 wrote:
RoadHouseFan wrote:Gulf Shores! Alabama is a wonderful state filled with patriotic people.
I'd love to see your highly opinionated map of patriotic people, because you sure have an opinion about it.
Right, but it's an opinion thread. Did he say something wrong?
Yes, because being patriotic (whatever that means) as nothing to do with the subject. Besides, this guy often brings up politics is several past threads.
Nice state, nice, friendly people. And, yes, by and large, patriotic. Not a deterrent for me. Have family near Gulf Shores. They're nice, and friendly, and patriotic. But most important is they put us up whenever we stop by.
by bill88
Thu Aug 11, 2016 12:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Transamerica GLWB Annuity - transfer to Vanguard?
Replies: 31
Views: 3146

Re: Transamerica GLWB Annuity - transfer to Vanguard?

Bill, I have succeeded in my objective of stimulating your thinking and laying out a framework by which you can try to understand this product. I also tried to give you some ways of doing rough comparisons but as you can see everything is a moving target. But it is what it is. I am very confident that your Brother-In-Law will come up with a good decision. You are getting a crash course in Variable Annuities and Living Benefits! The problem is that everything in personal finance is imperfect and imprecise. There are good solutions and good answers but objections can be raised about anything. So you pick a good solution customized to your Brother-In-Law's personal situation. Unfortunately, there is no answer key. But I think you are on the r...
by bill88
Thu Aug 11, 2016 12:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Transamerica GLWB Annuity - transfer to Vanguard?
Replies: 31
Views: 3146

Re: Transamerica GLWB Annuity - transfer to Vanguard?

Bill, changing the allocation now will not help much, at this time, towards retirement income. Allocation will affect any remainder for liquidation/death benefit. Why? One of nuances of the GLWB is When you make the allocation and in What. Currently the Actual acct is $218,992. The Income Acct is $248,860. The Income Acct is 13.6% ahead of the Actual Acct. Thus in a flat Market, to the next anniversary, Mar 2017, the Actual Acct has to increase to the match the current Income acct Plus the 5% annual minimum guarantee stepup, or to 13.6% + 5.0%=18.6%. The fees have already been discounted after stepup (ours, on previous year anniversary). In a balanced allocation, this will be difficult to do (Vanguard/TransAmerica "Secure Income"...
by bill88
Thu Aug 11, 2016 12:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Transamerica GLWB Annuity - transfer to Vanguard?
Replies: 31
Views: 3146

Re: Transamerica GLWB Annuity - transfer to Vanguard?

Thanks, rrppve. That's another one of those moving parts. :shock: If BIL changes the underlying fund to a somewhat more aggressive offering, my guess is the expenses go up. Cheers, Bill Your BIL's CPA ought to be able to do some calculations for him but I bet that BIL can do it himself. Probably not too difficult on Excel. What I would do is keep upping the rate of return on the Vanguard and current annuity portfolios (factoring in the fees) and calculate the rate of return the markets would have to generate for the new Vanguard annuity to beat the current Morgan Stanley annuity. My guess is that it would be higher than the 5% guarantee on the current annuity Withdrawal base. My further guess is that it would be significantly higher. You a...
by bill88
Wed Aug 10, 2016 11:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Transamerica GLWB Annuity - transfer to Vanguard?
Replies: 31
Views: 3146

Re: Transamerica GLWB Annuity - transfer to Vanguard?

rrppve wrote:
bill88 wrote:
Be careful on including the 1.31% Acquired fund fees and expenses. They're really not fund expenses, but rather expenses incurred by some of the holdings in the portfolio.
Annuities are complicated. It's hard to understand what they are really worth given the complex contracts.
Thanks, rrppve. That's another one of those moving parts. :shock: If BIL changes the underlying fund to a somewhat more aggressive offering, my guess is the expenses go up.

Cheers,
Bill
by bill88
Wed Aug 10, 2016 11:45 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Transamerica GLWB Annuity - transfer to Vanguard?
Replies: 31
Views: 3146

Re: Transamerica GLWB Annuity - transfer to Vanguard?

------------------------- Expense ratio & fees: 0.20% Management fees 0.25% Distribution and service (12b-1) fees 0.08% Other expenses 1.31% Acquired fund fees and expenses ====================== 1.84% Total annual fund operating expenses —————————————————— 1.25% GLWB Rider (% of 'Total Withdrawal Base', so can be "…substantially more than 1.25% of your policy value if TWB is higher than your policy value." ====================== 3.09% Total ER (or substantially more, depending! Plus any fees I may have missed.) Have BIL ask the Morgan Stanley rep what the total charges are. My suspicion is the 4.45% but make certain you aren't double counting something. Also note that GLWB Rider 1.25% fee is on the Withdrawal base and not on...
by bill88
Wed Aug 10, 2016 1:36 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Transamerica GLWB Annuity - transfer to Vanguard?
Replies: 31
Views: 3146

Re: Transamerica GLWB Annuity - transfer to Vanguard?

Well, it is what it is. BIL (and SIL) I think mainly wanted to 'pension-ize' a chunk of their investment portfolio, to provide a reliable, predictable stream of income in retirement -- maybe 7 years from now, when the annual 5% bumps to Total Withdrawal Base end. BIL will be 67 then, and with luck, holding off taking Social Security until 70 if practical, or maybe somewhere in between. My tentative conclusions so far ... 1. As Ned and GL have pointed out, BIL's annuity is a weak investment , but a stronger income/pension vehicle. The 4.35% ER :moneybag :moneybag :moneybag kills it as an investment vehicle, but matters less as an income/pension vehicle because of the 5% compounding of the Total Withdrawal Base (TWB). 2. The trick is to let t...
by bill88
Wed Aug 10, 2016 11:22 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Transamerica GLWB Annuity - transfer to Vanguard?
Replies: 31
Views: 3146

Re: Transamerica GLWB Annuity - transfer to Vanguard?

More numbers... (reading from BIL's L-Shares prospectus, and not the current May 2016 L-Shares prospectus posted online at the Transamerica site, for prospective new customers) 1.35% Mortality and Expense Risk Fee (same as online). I'm assuming this fee is separate from and in addition to the other expenses (see below) totaling 3.09%. If so, that brings BIL's ER up to 4.45% (!) and this from BIL's prospectus... "The withdrawal base may increase by a growth rate, currently 5% annually until the 10th rider anniversary." The new online prospectus quotes 5.5%, but BIL's appears to be 5%. It ends in 7 years, when he's 67. More comments to follow, but thought I'd add these updates. :shock: Bill ------------------------- Expense ratio &...
by bill88
Tue Aug 09, 2016 9:22 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Transamerica GLWB Annuity - transfer to Vanguard?
Replies: 31
Views: 3146

Re: Transamerica GLWB Annuity - transfer to Vanguard?

nedsaid wrote:Bill88, giving this another bump hoping that others will respond. I actually would like to hear back. Best wishes, Ned.
Thanks, Ned. Will do. But am still digesting all your good info, and from itstoomuch as well. And the prospectus and Transamerica site. Starting to get a better idea of how it works, but as you say, lots of moving parts.

Cheers,
Bill
by bill88
Sun Aug 07, 2016 11:49 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Transamerica GLWB Annuity - transfer to Vanguard?
Replies: 31
Views: 3146

Re: Transamerica GLWB Annuity - transfer to Vanguard?

It really boils down to a question of whether the guaranteed lifetime withdrawals are worth the extra fees. Good question. And I'd welcome any comments on that. I'd also welcome any thoughts on whether a transfer to Vanguard makes sense. And am I reading the numbers right? In that his current Withdrawal Base has built up to $250k -- quite a bit more than his contributions ($192k) or Policy Value. And all of this in just 3 years? If BIL transfers his annuity to Vanguard, does he lose that built-up Withdrawal Base, and essentially have to start over again? The same (or similar) Transamerica GLWB annuity AT VANGUARD will have a MUCH lower ER -- maybe 0.60% for the underlying fund and 1.20% for the GLWB rider, for a total of 1.80% approx. (vs....
by bill88
Sun Aug 07, 2016 1:16 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Transamerica GLWB Annuity - transfer to Vanguard?
Replies: 31
Views: 3146

Re: Transamerica GLWB Annuity - transfer to Vanguard?

nedsaid, thanks for the bump!

I don't think it's two annuities; it seems to be just the one annuity with one sub account in a Vanguard ETF. But I could be wrong; will ask BIL.

He can withdraw without penalty at the end of the fourth year from the last deposit. He'll wait. :annoyed

But it looks like he could have a somewhat more aggressive equity allocation -- 60 to 70% instead of roughly 50%.

What I know about variable annuities and GLWB riders would fill a thimble, so this is very educational, for me. (And BIL.)

Cheers,
Bill
by bill88
Sat Aug 06, 2016 2:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Transamerica GLWB Annuity - transfer to Vanguard?
Replies: 31
Views: 3146

Transamerica GLWB Annuity - transfer to Vanguard?

Brother-in-law (BIL) bought a GLWB annuity (Transamerica) from MorganStanley 3 yrs. ago at age 57.  It's about 1/4 of his (and spouse's) investment assets/retirement nest egg -- most in 401s, IRAs, and a bit in Roths. Wife will have a $14,500/yr. pension. Other than that, no pensions except Social Security. BIL intends to work another 5-6 years, freelancing and consulting work. Will try to hold off on SS until maybe 68 if the gods are kind. Wife teaches, good health insurance, wants to work another 8 years, then collect SS. My questions: 1. Should BIL transfer to Vanguard?   He can after 4 years from the last contribution (in 2013).  And he can pull out 10% a year before then. 2. Any downside to exchanging to a Vanguard annuity? Does he 'lo...
by bill88
Sat Apr 09, 2016 9:38 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Dallas suburbs or Northern Virginia for me?
Replies: 87
Views: 13734

Re: Dallas suburbs or Northern Virginia for me?

I was a little shocked to read these articles. How can one of the wealthiest counties in the country like Fairfax with the median family income of 110K have no money to fix a broken bridge or a crack that is a safety hazard on a playground? And why did the number of residents below the federal poverty level spike so high and how do they afford to live in this expensive county? I make a healthy income but feel too poor to move to Fairfax! Horrors. A crack in a playground's asphalt. The county's doomed! :shock: :happy Big county. Huge budget. Lots of competing priorities. Some inefficiencies, certainly. I'd take the local paper's stories (on everything, not least the impending fall of Fairfax) with a great big grain of salt. They've got lots...
by bill88
Sat Mar 26, 2016 6:30 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: MedicareRX - pricing biologics
Replies: 17
Views: 1885

Re: MedicareRX - pricing biologics

It's frustrating if you want plan for how much to spend or verifying that the pharmacy didn't make a billing error. It's a negotiation. :-) The first time we called the health insurance company, they quoted about $366 a month, for a 3-month prescription. Discussed again with rheumatologist; called back, but talked to their "specialty drugs section" (don't remember exact name). The rep we got was sharp, articulate, could think, and basically submitted our exact meds using our exact insurance info, and got us an exact price -- which was almost 3x the first quote. We'd consider moving to Canada, but I think there are too many people in line ahead of us, for entirely different reasons. :!: :!: :!: But it's too cold for us, anyway, so...
by bill88
Sat Mar 26, 2016 5:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: MedicareRX - pricing biologics
Replies: 17
Views: 1885

Re: MedicareRX - pricing biologics

PS: I don't recommend halving the dosing without the ok of the rheumatologist. There is no point in paying for the drug if a half dose is too weak to work. A common misconception about drugs is that if one pill works, two pills work twice as well and that's almost never the case. Messing with the dosing when you don't really know how the drug works can lead to all sorts of problems. Agree completely. We discussed with rheumatologist; he initially said weekly; my wife said she might be better able to 'handle' every other week. She's on lots of other meds and feels there's a limit to how much her system can take. That's separate from the cost. Rheumatologist seemed a bit surprised at prices we quoted. I think most of his patients are either ...
by bill88
Thu Mar 24, 2016 11:13 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: MedicareRX - pricing biologics
Replies: 17
Views: 1885

Re: MedicareRX - pricing biologics

MindBogler wrote:Go to the website of the manufacturer of this drug and see if they have any payment assistance plans. Many of them offer large subsidies directly for biologics. I don't know about the manufacturer of Orencia, but this is the case for others that I am aware of.
We've been checking. My impression is that some of the funding can run out pretty quickly each year. But our income is too high to qualify -- at least for the folks we've talked to so far.

But we didn't know about mur44's sources, so we'll knock on their doors as well.

Thanks!
by bill88
Thu Mar 24, 2016 7:13 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: MedicareRX - pricing biologics
Replies: 17
Views: 1885

Re: MedicareRX - pricing biologics

whaleknives wrote:The Medicare Plan Finder does list Orencia injections. That site will give you costs for stand-alone drug plans, and (I think) Advantage plans with drugs.
Thanks, I'm looking at it now. Hope springs eternal! :happy
by bill88
Thu Mar 24, 2016 7:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: MedicareRX - pricing biologics
Replies: 17
Views: 1885

Re: MedicareRX - pricing biologics

Well, the medical insurance system certainly has a big chunk of uncertainty, which makes planning and budgeting tough. Sorry to hear about your situation with UHC. We were stuck with them before Medicare, paying massive premiums which increased double digit every year. I thought once we were on Mediacare, there would be some tamping down of the 'whatever the market will bear' rate increases -- and there were, somewhat, for Plan F. But when the RX plans go to percentage copays for higher tier drugs, it's a real financial risk.
by bill88
Thu Mar 24, 2016 4:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: MedicareRX - pricing biologics
Replies: 17
Views: 1885

MedicareRX - pricing biologics

Wife has pretty heavy duty RA. Rheumatologist advises a biologic, Orencia. Got Orencia quote (injectables, not infusion): 3-month supply is $3,000 (round numbers), so $1,000 a month. That's 12 shots — one a week. My wife is thinking she might try every other week. That's $6k a year if she does every other week; $12k a year if weekly. Either way, we consider this a lot of money. :shock: We don't qualify for any of the assistance programs. This year, our MedicareRX is thru AARP/United Healthcare, but if there's a better price, we can change next year. Has anyone comparison-shopped biologics with different insurance companies? Or do they all charge pretty much the same? And would a Medicare Advantage plan offer better drug prices? Thanks, Bill
by bill88
Tue Feb 16, 2016 3:49 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Transferring nondeductible IRA -- keep as separate account or add to rollover?
Replies: 2
Views: 408

Re: Transferring nondeductible IRA -- keep as separate account or add to rollover?

Thanks, Alan.

Looking to retire soon, so situation #2 is highly unlikely.

Need to consider the creditor protection issue, though. I 'think' we'd be mostly covered, given the numbers (and would hope and expect never to have to find out), but things don't always play out the way you think they will. We'll keep the account separate, for now.

Thanks again,
Bill
by bill88
Tue Feb 16, 2016 2:54 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Transferring nondeductible IRA -- keep as separate account or add to rollover?
Replies: 2
Views: 408

Transferring nondeductible IRA -- keep as separate account or add to rollover?

Am transferring a small nondeductible IRA from Tweedy, Browne to Vanguard brokerage IRA (not Roth).

I can transfer it to a new Vanguard IRA account, or to my rollover IRA brokerage account. Simplicity says to just add it to the existing rollover IRA account, but is there a reason to keep a nondeductible IRA separate?

Thanks!
by bill88
Sat Feb 06, 2016 12:59 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: upgrade OS on older MAC?
Replies: 33
Views: 3682

Re: upgrade OS on older MAC?

Both machines work flawlessly.

Since you've got two Macs, you could keep the flawless 10.6.8 on your '08, and consider a newer OS on your '09. A split system is a bit of a nuisance, but you could keep your older software -- at least for a while -- while enjoying the new OS's benefits.

10.6.8 is (IMO) Apple's 2nd best OS, OS 9 being the best. My OS9 G4 is still going strong, which is a good thing, since iI'm still using PageMaker 7 to do periodic page layouts. :-)

And I can still run Now Contact, the best contact manager software of all time, on my 10.6.8 MacPro (year 1).

Using Yosemite on my last year's iMac; so far so good.


Cheers,
Bill
by bill88
Sat Jun 20, 2015 12:00 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: SPIA or Vanguard fund for income at 80?
Replies: 35
Views: 8883

Re: SPIA or Vanguard fund for income at 80?

With an immediate annuity those high initial payments come at a price. If you live long enough, those payments won't match up to what you would get with a normal portfolio of bonds and stocks. If you live long enough that is likely to be just when you need more income than what the annuity pays at a fixed rate. Do everything you can to live off of 4% now so that you can have 10% or more later when you really need the extra money. The insurance company always comes out the winner. Your return on investment will be either zero or very low (if you live long enough). Your beneficiaries will either get nothing or a zero return on investment Well, I agree that the insurance company must cover its costs, and will always try to provide themselves ...
by bill88
Fri Jun 19, 2015 7:15 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: SPIA or Vanguard fund for income at 80?
Replies: 35
Views: 8883

Re: SPIA or Vanguard fund for income at 80?

David Jay wrote:
bill88 wrote:formerly Bill99
When do you become Bill77? :wink:
Well...my plan was, when WikiLeaks or Russian/Chinese/North Korean hackers penetrate my incredibly sophisticated password system, that's when I'd move to bill77.

Oh, wait! You've spilled the beans!! Hmm...I may have to vaporize my computer system (see 'Enemy of the State', or basement servers run by former Secretaries of State). Then I'll move to an undisclosed location.

Or maybe I'll just get one of those password programs. 8-)
by bill88
Fri Jun 19, 2015 12:08 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: SPIA or Vanguard fund for income at 80?
Replies: 35
Views: 8883

Re: SPIA or Vanguard fund for income at 80?

Bill, I think your aunt needs a different perspective on her situation. I'm assuming the portfolio is pretty much the same as what you posted last year, but you should update a bit of the cash amount is now lower. Aunt A wants 65k/ year and also wants to protect money for heirs. Aunt has ~2M, and at 80 a conservative safe withdrawal rate is 5%, or 100k/year for Aunt A. So, 65k/year is quite easy. It's a 3.25% withdrawal rate. From that perspective, Aunt A has several choices. She could buy a SPIA for 100k now and a second one for another 100k when rates rise. That provides the 65k, diversifies the income, and she still has almost 2M left. On the other hand, Aunt A doesn't really need a SPIA. She can withdraw 65k from cash for 14 years with...
by bill88
Thu Jun 18, 2015 11:45 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: SPIA or Vanguard fund for income at 80?
Replies: 35
Views: 8883

Re: SPIA or Vanguard fund for income at 80?

Perhaps she could use that $30k to pay for the drug and 20% medigap (or Medicare Advantage which might be cheaper and closer to what she has now) for a lot of years. I am just suggesting this as keeping a special pot for this in her mind, because it really doesn't matter what pot it comes out of. (I am hoping she does already have the Part B taken out of her SS automatically.) There may be a high deductible policy that would suit her needs to cover extreme costs. The Medicare website or your state's senior advocate may have information for you, or just ask here if you care to give the state she is in. This page has links to both Part C and Part D: http://www.medicare.gov/your-medicare-costs/costs-at-a-glance/costs-at-glance.html The proble...
by bill88
Thu Jun 18, 2015 11:26 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: More income for my 78 yr. old aunt
Replies: 32
Views: 6876

Re: Vanguard Personal Advisor Service

Bill: If this were my Aunt, I would not attempt to tell her how to invest her money--especially when she sets conditions such as "she won't sell her stocks," "she want's her money to work harder." etc.. There are multiple changes you could recommend with many involving tax-consequences, health issues and estate planning. There will be a lot of work involved. Whatever you recommend will have periods of underperformance or be wrong. You will feel responsible for her portfolio the rest of her life. . If she were my Aunt, I would not want that responsibility. I would recommend a professional advisor whom she can trust. A first choice, if you don't have a good advisor in mind, would be Vanguard with it's low-cost (0.3%), con...
by bill88
Thu Jun 18, 2015 11:14 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: More income for my 78 yr. old aunt
Replies: 32
Views: 6876

Re: More income for my 78 yr. old aunt

$60,000 TOTAL $60,000 AXXA Equitable Annuity (Invested $63,000 (10 yrs. ago?); has withdrawn $13,000 over time, with $60,000 remaining. I think I have that right.) Perhaps this would do better if converted to a low cost SPIA (or even a lower cost variable annuity or other kind through V as I expect it has high fees). Top it off with other cash to $100k. This could even go into a Target Retirement Income fund if she is willing. I LIKE THE IDEA; WILL SUGGEST IT. Have some of the government bonds matured and quit paying interest? Vanguard might have CDs that are better than those low rate bank CDs she has, if she doesn't want them in an on-line bank. THANKS FOR THIS; WILL LOOK INTO IT. Paying 0.3%/year for the Vanguard adviser may be a good i...
by bill88
Tue Jun 16, 2015 7:38 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: More income for my 78 yr. old aunt
Replies: 32
Views: 6876

Re: More income for my 78 yr. old aunt

jjface wrote:I started to reply and then realised the opening post was in Jan 2014! Not sure why this one was revived.
I think because I posted it as a link to her portfolio, to provide some context to the current discussion, titled SPIA or Vanguard fund for income at 80?, here:

Code: Select all

https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=167738
But I appreciate the additional, helpful comments/advice.

Bill
by bill88
Tue Jun 16, 2015 11:28 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: SPIA or Vanguard fund for income at 80?
Replies: 35
Views: 8883

Re: SPIA or Vanguard fund for income at 80?

dodecahedron wrote:Does she have a favorite charity? If she still has those highly appreciated single stocks in her portfolio, she could contribute them to the charity and get a charitable annuity. That could be a very tax-efficient way for her to support the charity of her choice AND generate an income stream, plus it gets that concentrated single-stock risk out of her portfolio.
Thanks, I wasn't aware of this. Although I think Aunt A's first choice for beneficiaries would be family.

The stocks are a no-go. Bought long ago with late husband. They are truly a buy and hold investment. :happy
by bill88
Mon Jun 15, 2015 9:38 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: SPIA or Vanguard fund for income at 80?
Replies: 35
Views: 8883

Re: SPIA or Vanguard fund for income at 80?

Setting up something for monthly or annual deposits to checking account should be relatively easy and any of the methods suggested would work. Unless she has MA with drug coverage or Medigap and Part D, perhaps the SPIA would be wise as that might be what remains if she is hit with expensive drug or hospitalization costs. Here are a few links to Medicare. Be sure to check out what if anything she has now and whether that is considered coverage by Medicare. Her $30k could be wiped out quickly. If she is covered by his work insurance, she may easily pick these up or she may not need to do so. But if she is not covered by insurance accepted by Medicare, it may be more difficult, and the sooner it is done the better. Thanks for this. We discus...
by bill88
Sun Jun 14, 2015 6:33 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: SPIA or Vanguard fund for income at 80?
Replies: 35
Views: 8883

Re: SPIA or Vanguard fund for income at 80?

Here's a rough look at Aunt A's portfolio, in a post a year and a half ago. Some modest changes, but still roughly the same...

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=129927

She and I have been discussing this a lot. :-) And, apparently, neither of us are quick decision-makers!
by bill88
Sun Jun 14, 2015 4:20 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: SPIA or Vanguard fund for income at 80?
Replies: 35
Views: 8883

Re: SPIA or Vanguard fund for income at 80?

kenner wrote:
bill88 wrote:
kenner wrote:What will her income tax rate be in 10 years?

She want to bump her income up from current $46k, by about another $65k, over time. Her assets are heavily in cash, lesser amounts in bonds and cds, and a chunk of legacy stocks from which she takes the distributions. Plus a very small Social Security.

Currently, cash and near-cash investments pay very little, so it is doubtful that Aunt A can more than double her income anytime soon.

OOPS! I mis-typed. She wants to bump her current $46k income up to about $65k -- so she's looking for another $19-$20k a year, not another $65k!
by bill88
Sun Jun 14, 2015 4:09 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: SPIA or Vanguard fund for income at 80?
Replies: 35
Views: 8883

Re: SPIA or Vanguard fund for income at 80?

dhodson wrote:If she has lots of assets including lots of cash then she doesn't need a SPIA. Insurance works best if u need the insurance.
Agree. She could easily draw down on large assets, but prefers to preserve and even grow the bulk of them for heirs. Annuity appeal is getting a return of nearly 10% (even though it's a return of your own money), while not reducing the other assets. In effect, the annuity is seen as a pension.
by bill88
Sun Jun 14, 2015 3:59 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: SPIA or Vanguard fund for income at 80?
Replies: 35
Views: 8883

Re: SPIA or Vanguard fund for income at 80?

If you eliminated that five year certain period you'd get a better payout. Gill Agree. Got these Vanguard phone quotes (thru Annuity Access, from Principal Financial [Vanguard 'shops' the policy to 4 or 5 A-rated companies to get the best rate] a few days ago... $856/mo. Lifetime with NO certain. $827/mo. Lifetime with 5yr. certain. (works out to 9.924%, based on female, age 80) $744/mo. Lifetime with 10yr. certain. Aunt A's bias is full protection for the heirs (i.e. 10yr. certain). Since the $100k is a small fraction of her assets, heirs don't need protecting, and she has excellent health and good longevity prospects. Of course, you never know. If you want some heir protection, 5yr. certain isn't bad. Payout is close to the 'no certain' ...