Search found 176 matches

by bill99
Wed Feb 13, 2013 3:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Lexus RX 300. Timing belt. $884.
Replies: 55
Views: 18363

Re: Lexus RX 300. Timing belt. $884.

Non-luxo cars can be pricey, too. This is my repair note for my '98 Subaru Outback, 4cyl.:

Replace timing belt, water pump, timing belt tensioner, all 4 cam seals and front crankshaft seal; install new fan belts. Coolant.
(timing belt kit) $953.40.

Repair done by non-dealer small shop, top rated in local consumer magazine.

I can't remember is the cam seals and crankshaft seal were integral to the belt replacement, part of the kit, or something added to try to stop slow oil leaks? If this was a TV game show, I'd bet on "part of the kit." Final answer. :)

Cheers,
Bill

P.S. Edit note: Repair was 5 years ago; would probably cost more now. Subaru had 76M on it.
by bill99
Fri Feb 08, 2013 12:28 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Stopping Junk Mail
Replies: 51
Views: 7385

Re: Stoping Junk Mail

I don't see how these reasons make it right for Junk Mailers like you advised you are attempting to make money by invading our mailboxes with unwanted junk. It is much different than TV ads, radio commercials,and even email etc, which are easy to turn off and do not require disposal. To say that junk email is worse than a mailbox a hundred feet from my front door full of unwanted paper every day is just not accurate. Hi, Diogenes. I don't consider myself the Defender of the Direct Mail Industry (which mails Presort Standard mail, otherwise known as bulk, third class or "junk" mail). I'm a writer/editor/publisher. But to earn a living, I have to SELL the stuff. No marketing, no income. My choices are: 1. Direct mail (you say "...
by bill99
Fri Feb 08, 2013 12:19 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Stopping Junk Mail
Replies: 51
Views: 7385

Re: Stopping Junk Mail

Can you show me some evidence of this? I've been searching and all I can see are unsupported claims both ways. The law says that each class of mail must cover its own expenses, which suggests each class is revenue neutral, but I did find a 2010 OIG report (pdf) that states that the price breaks given for various types of pre-processing associated with other than first class mail were largely unjustified. Read the Postal Inspector General's remarkably mind-numbing report. Apparently, the government's excellent Plain Language campaign ( http://www.plainlanguage.gov ) hasn't made much of an impression on Postal management. The Post Office (USPS) is large, bureaucratic, and not extremely efficient. (Just read this report and management's respo...
by bill99
Wed Feb 06, 2013 6:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Stopping Junk Mail
Replies: 51
Views: 7385

Re: Stoping Junk Mail

Of all the things in this world to complain about I never understood people who get so upset about unsolicited mail. Do you get equally upset when a tv commerical comes on during one of your programs? Do you get upset when you see an advertisement in the newspaper or magazine you're reading? The difference is that newspaper, magazine and TV ads all help subsidize the cost of the content. It's a fair and conscious trade, I get a reduced price on what I want to read or watch and they get some minimal amount of my attention. If I want to avoid the ads, I can (and have) used higher cost, but ad-free, substitutes like books, member-supported magazines (such as Consumer Reports, Undercurrent (a scuba magazine), and Cook's Illustrated) or DVDs. O...
by bill99
Tue Feb 05, 2013 6:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Macintosh tech/repair firms in DC-Metro area?
Replies: 4
Views: 746

Re: Macintosh tech/repair firms in DC-Metro area?

Polar_Ice wrote:Is it a hardware or software related problem?

http://arlingtonvacomputerrepair.com/ap ... repair.php
Both! Some software issues, email set ups, better networking, upgrading some of the older macs, and maybe a new mac. What to do about Now Contact, which works with Lion, I hear, but not Mountain Lion.

No immediate crises, but a fairly healthy punchlist.
by bill99
Tue Feb 05, 2013 4:47 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Macintosh tech/repair firms in DC-Metro area?
Replies: 4
Views: 746

Macintosh tech/repair firms in DC-Metro area?

Our current Mac tech has become unreachable. He wasn't cheap, but he was good, and made house calls.

Looking for a new Mac repair/service outfit that will come to our (home) office.

Any recommendations?

Thanks,
Bill
by bill99
Tue Jan 29, 2013 9:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Got my Mac repaired at Apple Store
Replies: 1
Views: 1089

Re: Got my Mac repaired at Apple Store

Thanks for sharing your repair experience, Rupert. Didn't think the genius bar folks could actually fix things. Good to know.

Bill
by bill99
Thu Oct 11, 2012 9:09 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Long Term Care (LTCi): Should we get it? Ways to cut cost?
Replies: 54
Views: 6282

Re: Long Term Care (LTCi): Should we get it? Ways to cut cos

BruDude wrote:If you don't accept this policy, you also won't be able to reapply for a 10-pay with Genworth later on. They removed that option about a month ago.
Forgot that. I'm not sure why they dropped 10-pay. They get their premium revenue front-loaded and can invest it for decades.
by bill99
Thu Oct 11, 2012 6:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Long Term Care (LTCi): Should we get it? Ways to cut cost?
Replies: 54
Views: 6282

Re: Long Term Care (LTCi): Wife declined

Wife declined by Genworth. No surprise, my misplaced optimism aside. The missus expected to be declined, knows she has health issues, but certainly wasn't happy to have an insurance company agree with her so emphatically. :annoyed Her thinking now is we ought to go ahead and get LTCi for me, based on: 1. We can -- at least now. 2. If something happens to me, she feels she might not be able (physically) to take care of me. 3. We can manage the premium. The new quote for me is $3,603. Policy specs are: Genworth Priviledged Choice Flex. 10pay. 3yr. benefit period > stays the same $180,000 pool; $5,000 monthly benefit. 365 day elimination period. 5% Equal (non-compound) inflation protection. Tax-qualified Includes 100% home care, but only after...
by bill99
Wed Oct 10, 2012 9:30 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Account for Long Term Care?
Replies: 8
Views: 917

Re: Account for Long Term Care?

lucky3 wrote:The federal government was going to propose a long term care allowance/policy but decided they could never get it through so they dropped it.
Academic point, but my understanding is they already had the CLASS Act thru, then dropped it because they just couldn't make the numbers work. And that was last year. :)
by bill99
Tue Oct 09, 2012 9:41 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 5yr. annuity payout - which Vanguard funds?
Replies: 3
Views: 685

Re: 5yr. annuity payout - which Vanguard funds?

Decided to tone it down a bit, and add a small money market portion, in case we need to start pulling money out before year-end.

Portfolio now looks like:


60% Short Term Investment Grade Portfolio
10% High Yield Bond Portfolio
20% Balanced Portfolio
10% Money Market Portfolio
by bill99
Sat Oct 06, 2012 1:07 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 5yr. annuity payout - which Vanguard funds?
Replies: 3
Views: 685

Re: 5yr. annuity payout - which Vanguard funds?

dickenjb wrote:Assuming you have other assets I would treat this as tax advantaged space and fill it with bonds and own the equities elsewhere in taxable. So as not to convert CG to ordinary income.
Well, we're close...maybe 75-80% with the above portfolio. Good point, though, about converting cap. gains. Everything coming out of the annuity will be ordinary income.
by bill99
Sat Oct 06, 2012 10:47 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 5yr. annuity payout - which Vanguard funds?
Replies: 3
Views: 685

5yr. annuity payout - which Vanguard funds?

After much sturm und drang*, we're going with the 5yr. deferred option for my wife's inherited annuity. We have a bit over 4 years to withdraw all the funds, but would like to grow it a bit if we can in that fairly short time. And we're willing to take some downside risk. We'll have to make withdrawals over the next 4 years so we don't have one large lump sum withdrawal right at the end, which would bump up our tax bracket. What's your take on this portfolio? 60% Short Term Investment Grade Portfolio 10% High Yield Bond Portfolio 30% Balanced Portfolio Balanced and High Yield are run by Wellington. Balanced is 60-70% stocks, so the portfolio is roughly 20/80 stock/bond, or, say, 25/75 if you count High Yield as half-equity. Any thoughts? Bi...
by bill99
Sun Sep 30, 2012 11:51 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Inherited Vanguard Annuity - 5-year or life annuity?
Replies: 10
Views: 1529

Re: Inherited Vanguard Annuity - 5-year or life annuity?

Bill, if you would like to be assured of getting "all of your money back, but not more ", your wife may be able to choose a "Payment for a Designated Period" option. The payments can probably be made over 10-30 years, but might not be available for a period greater than your wife's life expectancy. My contract shows a 20 year payment about 16% greater than the payment for a 65 year old female with 240 months certain. In the event of death, the remaining payments will go to a named beneficiary. I've advise my heirs to take this option, but they get to select Designated Period. Dale Hi, Dale. Hmm...interesting thought. Will get the exact numbers from Vanguard. On the plus side, $325/mo. would bump up to $377/mo. for 20 ye...
by bill99
Fri Sep 28, 2012 7:00 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Inherited Vanguard Annuity - 5-year or life annuity?
Replies: 10
Views: 1529

Re: Inherited Vanguard Annuity - Interest Rate

FWIW, the "guaranteed internal rate of return" = 3.25%, plus Life Expectancy, plus Amount Annuitized. The amounts they quoted above are based on a 65yr. old Virginia female.
by bill99
Tue Sep 25, 2012 9:53 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Inherited Vanguard Annuity - 5-year or life annuity?
Replies: 10
Views: 1529

Re: Inherited Vanguard Annuity - 5-year or life annuity?

Dale, thanks very much for explaining the finer points of the life annuity. Much appreciated. The good folks at Vanguard's Annuity Dept. did try to explain them to me, but despite their best efforts, some of it just didn't click. I assumed, for instance, that $5.13/month/K meant a 5% interest rate. :? Clearly not correct. If there's no free lunch in investing, there surely isn't in insurance. These guys have thought of everything . I'll find out what my wife's interest rate would be, but from your checking, it sounds like less than 4%, and maybe a bit more than 3.5%. So perhaps the only way to improve on that with a variable portion would be to go with an all equity fund or a balanced fund. It might outperform over the long haul, but at the...
by bill99
Mon Sep 24, 2012 8:28 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Inherited Vanguard Annuity - 5-year or life annuity?
Replies: 10
Views: 1529

Annuity Payout -- Fixed, Variable or a Mix?

Has anyone with a Vanguard annuity chosen a variable payout, or a combination of variable (based on investments in Vanguard funds) and fixed?

If you have, can you give me some sense of how it's worked out?

Thanks,
Bill
by bill99
Mon Sep 24, 2012 5:48 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Inherited Vanguard Annuity - 5-year or life annuity?
Replies: 10
Views: 1529

Re: Inherited Vanguard Annuity - 5-year or life annuity?

Well, that's the problem. I'm looking for certainty in an uncertain world. Hard to come by.:?

Bill
by bill99
Mon Sep 24, 2012 12:00 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Inherited Vanguard Annuity - 5-year or life annuity?
Replies: 10
Views: 1529

Re: Inherited Vanguard Annuity - 5-year or life annuity?

Mel, you're exactly right -- the last two options are indeed life with 10 or 20 years certain within the life. My shorthand muddled that!

We're still mulling over the 5-yr. deferred option vs. the life annuity choice, but it seems to me that if my wife chooses the life annuity, then at least the "10 years certain" option, or even the "20 years certain" are prudent choices, to to guard against not receiving at least a large portion of the annuity value in the event of premature death.

Pleasant topic!

Cheers,
Bill
by bill99
Sun Sep 23, 2012 7:24 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Inherited Vanguard Annuity - 5-year or life annuity?
Replies: 10
Views: 1529

Inherited Vanguard Annuity - 5-year or life annuity?

We're not sure how to take it. My wife is 65. The value is approx. $68,900 -- of which about $17,000 is cost-basis. The rest is taxable. We've ruled out the Lump Sum option (would add $52k to our 2012 income, raising our tax bracket. That leaves two choices: 1. 5-year deferred annuity (from date of death, Jan., 2012, so really more of a 4-year, 2 month deferred annuity). 2. Life annuity (or a set number of years). No inflation rider available. If my wife annuitizes, she can choose FIXED payments (above) or VARIABLE (choosing from the 17 Vanguard annuity funds), or a mix of the two. Vanguard's Annuity Dept. gave us ballpark numbers for a life annuity: $5.13/K x 68.9k = $353.46 per month, for life (no period certain). $5.03/k x 68.9k = $346.5...
by bill99
Sun Sep 02, 2012 9:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: To Fence ... Or Not?
Replies: 93
Views: 12498

Re: To Fence ... Or Not?

Interesting dilemma! I agree it's an expensive fix to get a fence, so I'd try to find a cheaper one first. It seems like he's out there doing all this stuff without talking to you about it first, so I'd probably start with the same approach, and either stake it and put a string, or line it with large rocks, or put a shed in myself, or put raised bed gardens if it works. Then, show him your work and say you might be selling in a few years and he needs to keep his stuff on his property and you will do the same. Say, "GET IT? Your stuff needs to stay there." "You've always been such a good neighbor, I know you just didn't realize you're on my property, but you are. OK?" Also, can't you just both stand at the hole and you s...
by bill99
Sun Aug 19, 2012 9:06 pm
Forum: Forum Issues and Administration
Topic: We need a new forum just for retirement issues
Replies: 143
Views: 23331

Re: We need a new forum just for retirement issues

I'd like to see a retirement sub-forum.

While I mostly use the "all posts" view, that's more of a daily 'browsing' function for me, to keep up with current posts. Very broad ranging.

But sometimes I like to focus a bit more narrowly, and in those cases, the sub-forum structure would help, and would be a lot easier, for me anyway, than trying searches on individual topics.
by bill99
Sat Jul 28, 2012 11:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Long Term Care (LTCi): Should we get it? Ways to cut cost?
Replies: 54
Views: 6282

Re: Long Term Care (LTCi): TRIAGE

Did some cost (and benefit) cutting, dropping the $14.7k annual premium to $7k. Still 10pay. Still Shared Care. Policy quoted is Genworth Priviledged Choice Flex. 3yr. benefit period > stays the same $216,000 pool of money; $6,000/monthly benefit > becomes $180,000 pool; $5,000 monthly benefit. 90 day elimination period > becomes 365 calendar day , ouch. 5% compound inflation protection > becomes 5% Equal (non-compound) Tax-qualified Includes 100% home care (I think the policy includes "1st Day Home Care" > Dropped the 1st Day Home Care. Not happy about the benefit cuts, but the $7k annual premium (10pay) is more feasible. Rate hike or hikes certainly possible. We should be able to cover the first 365 days, not that it won't be fi...
by bill99
Sat Jul 28, 2012 10:52 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Long Term Care (LTCi): Should we get it? Ways to cut cost?
Replies: 54
Views: 6282

Re: Long Term Care (LTCi): Should we get it? Ways to cut cos

SnapShots wrote:Been there. $2M today doesn't mean you'll have it tomorrow even if you don't spend it AND EVEN if you add to it. If I'd understood $1M-$2M equals $40K-$80K/year or less I would have stayed in business. And, retired in my 70s. :annoyed
Well, at the rate we're going, we're getting close to being retired in our 70s. :shock: Just five years to go. Time is flying by, and the missus is not happy to have her Medicare card. Relieved, yes. Happy, not so much. :happy
by bill99
Wed Jul 25, 2012 9:09 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Long Term Care (LTCi): Should we get it? Ways to cut cost?
Replies: 54
Views: 6282

Re: Long Term Care (LTCi): Should we get it? Ways to cut cos

Your worry with paying for care with the relative's money is totally different than a non-institutional spouse trying to figure out how to financially survive when the institutionalized spouse is depleting the bank account at a fast rate. Not a trivial concern for us. We could fund a lot of LTC out of our nest egg, if we had to. Up to a few years would be a big hit, but we could handle it. A long term, say, Dementia situation would be harder. Our $2Mil is invested 50/50 in mutual funds, so we have market risk as well. In '08, the $2Mil went down to $1.4Mil; now we're back up to maybe $2.1Mil. But we haven't been drawing any funds out in the past 5 years; rather adding modestly (Roth contributions). And 80% of nest egg is in IRAs, so taxabl...
by bill99
Tue Jul 24, 2012 9:19 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Long Term Care (LTCi): Should we get it? Ways to cut cost?
Replies: 54
Views: 6282

Re: Long Term Care (LTCi): Should we get it? Ways to cut cos

I don't want to get too clever-clever about Medicaid strategizing but one thing I have brooded about is this. Remember, we've opted for an LTCi policy! And the daily amount is not crazy-nuts unrealistic, but it's not luxuriously generous either. In theory, part of the deal with the policy we have, and I think it's typical, is that when you're signed up for a certain minimum amount they're supposed to have an obligation to find a nursing home that will accept that amount. How that works in practice I wonder. I'm not sure the problem is their finding a nursing home that will accept your amount; rather, it's their finding a home in which you'd be happy to kennel your dog. We saw some of those in the frantic day or two when the hospital social...
by bill99
Mon Jul 23, 2012 11:21 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Long Term Care (LTCi): Should we get it? Ways to cut cost?
Replies: 54
Views: 6282

Re: Long Term Care (LTCi): Should we get it? Ways to cut cos

If you lower the annual 5% compound interest, that should lower your premium. I wanted a premium we could afford through out our lifetime and chose 3% simple interest because it fixed the premium at $180/mo for two policies. Eleven years ago a good nursing home in our area cost about $3,000/mo or $100/day. I started at that rate. NH care is now about $4000-$5,000/mo. Our current policy value is about $3,900/mo or $133/day. It's unlimited life, 90 day elimination period. Home care. Assisted living. I felt like we would be able to supplement a gap and didn't have to have a policy that would pay for everything. If your premiums are too high you might stop paying them - something you can afford is better than nothing. You could also go with a ...
by bill99
Mon Jul 23, 2012 4:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Long Term Care (LTCi): Should we get it? Ways to cut cost?
Replies: 54
Views: 6282

Re: Long Term Care (LTCi): Should we get it? Ways to cut cos

Nobody can answer your questions given the info you posted... For instance Question 1 How can anyone say the premium is reasonable when you listed information that could easily indicate she is uninsurable Question 2 Goes back to question 1. Question 3 Same thing but in essence what you are trying to do is minimize risk of rate increase. If you think you will live a long time then it might pay off. Question 4 Besides what u have in your retirement account, people would need to know how much you are making and how long you will work as well as other expenses. Both RA and DM can easily greatly increase your rate or make you non insurable. Fair points, dhodson. My wife felt she'd be uninsurable from the git-go; I'm the optimist in the family. ...
by bill99
Sun Jul 22, 2012 4:30 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Long Term Care (LTCi): Should we get it? Ways to cut cost?
Replies: 54
Views: 6282

Re: Long Term Care (LTCi): Should we get it? Ways to cut cos

Well, see, BruDude, you've already helped with Question 2, ways to lower premium cost. :shock:

Oh, well.

Broker is pretty familiar with our "conditions"; we buy our health insurance thru them also (except now wife on Medicare). And I thought we discussed our situation pretty candidly. Surgeon said the neck problem was caused by Osteo, not RA. And I "think" we're okay on the points you quoted -- except maybe the active disease item. That one might be a problem, but I just don't know. Will chat up our broker.

Thanks,
Bill
by bill99
Sun Jul 22, 2012 1:28 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Long Term Care (LTCi): Should we get it? Ways to cut cost?
Replies: 54
Views: 6282

Long Term Care (LTCi): Should we get it? Ways to cut cost?

Need some advice. We're trying to figure out if we need long term care insurance -- and, if so, if there's a way to reduce the premium costs. Looking over our broker's LTCi rate quotes from Genworth, Hancock and Mutual of Omaha. Genworth cheapest (until big rate increase Aug. 1!). Broker "thinks" we'll pass underwriting. Wife 65, some health issues -- Arthritis (RA) and Diabetes. Just had spine (neck) surgery. Me 63, small stuff -- Lipitor, allergy shots. Policy quoted is Genworth Priviledged Choice Flex. 3yr. benefit period $216,000 pool of money; $6,000/monthly benefit 90 day elimination period 5% compound inflation protection Tax-qualified Includes 100% home care (I think the policy includes "1st Day Home Care" Grim t...
by bill99
Sat Jun 30, 2012 9:57 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medigap F - any benefit to buying thru a broker?
Replies: 16
Views: 6957

Re: Medigap F - Largest cohort, largest plan

Well, we want to be in the largest group of insured folks. My understanding is that UHC (or any company) will raise rates based on the experience of the cohort we're in -- i.e., all the folks in Plan F (the largest, most popular plan?) in our age group, in our area (zip code or metro area?). And after our group insurance experience with huge, unpredictable out-of-pocket expenses, we wanted a predictable plan with the lowest copays/deductibles. And if I get this right, we can later go to a plan with less coverage without underwriting, but couldn't switch "up" if we started out with a lower plan (without underwriting). We want to be in the largest group we can find, and hope -- hope -- that might mitigate future rate increases. No g...
by bill99
Fri Jun 29, 2012 10:10 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medigap F - any benefit to buying thru a broker?
Replies: 16
Views: 6957

Re: Medigap F - any benefit to buying thru a broker?

End of the day, we chose AARP/UnitedHealthcare. $119.52/mo., after the 30% discount, which shrinks 3%/yr. going forward. No broker. Community rating. (We'll see how well that works out.) National plan, and -- in the Oligopoly that is health insurance today, they're the largest player. So they'll likely be around, for better or worse. I'm by no means recommending UHC. While I think they'll be okay for billing, etc., they got that big by maximizing premiums and minimizing payouts for actual healthcare. :dollar But my impression is that's the business model for most of them, except maybe Kaiser and USAA? FWIW, typed in age 70 on AARP/UHC site and got a quote of $140.01/mo., but $256.12 for "Level 2", which seems to be what happens if...
by bill99
Thu Jun 28, 2012 12:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medigap F - any benefit to buying thru a broker?
Replies: 16
Views: 6957

Re: Medigap F - any benefit to buying thru a broker?

Thanks, everyone, for the feedback. We're in (Northern) Virginia. Wife turns 65 next month, and is signed up for Medicare Part A & B, eff. date July 1, 2012. And Part D, Prescription Drugs, also. We have the drug plan thru AARP/UnitedHealthcare. Which just leaves Medigap to decide; we're trying to 'fish or cut bait' so that it's effective July 1. Apparently not a problem with either one. Our broker can sell Omaha, but not the AARP plan. We like our brokerage outfit, but the full-time, very knowledgeable agent we've used for our non-Medicare group coverage (who has gone the extra mile for us several times) is not who we'd have for Medigap if we go Omaha. That agent is part-time -- added by the firm to accomodate their group customers who...
by bill99
Wed Jun 27, 2012 12:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medigap F - any benefit to buying thru a broker?
Replies: 16
Views: 6957

Medigap F - any benefit to buying thru a broker?

Has anyone run into any back-end problems with Medigap F coverage, where they found having a broker was helpful, or wished they had used a broker to buy the insurance?

We use one now for our group insurance, and they've been helpful running interference with billing issues. But do we need one for Medicare? My impression is that it's a lot more cut and dried. Not idiot-proof, but less complicated than group insurance (at least our small group, self-employed plan).

Anyway, a penny for your thoughts! At this point, we've narrowed it down to AARP (UnitedHealthcare) vs. Mutual of Omaha.

Thanks,
Bill
by bill99
Tue Jun 19, 2012 8:56 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medigap F for folks with "conditions"?
Replies: 25
Views: 4198

Re: Medigap F for folks with "conditions"?

Since you live in Northern Virginia, I heartily recommend Kaiser Permanante Medicare Advantage program. Then, you don;t need supplemental coverage. In this area, the Kaiser medicare plan is termed (cost), which means you can get service from another provider under Medicare. I have not used that feature, and do not plan to do so. ... Except for a few small details, it seems that the medical care for the Medicare recipients is the same as for all other Kaiser patients. In conversations with many other folks on medicare, one problem is sorting out physicians that accept medicare. With the Kaiser plan, you don't have to be concerned about that - you have access to all the Kaiser physicians that you need. Thanks for the tip. We've heard nothing...
by bill99
Tue Jun 19, 2012 11:11 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medigap F for folks with "conditions"?
Replies: 25
Views: 4198

Re: Medigap F for folks with "conditions"?

We recently signup for Medigap, I posted on this site and the consensus was Plan C was good enough. http://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=91677 It is the same as Plan F except Plan F pays physicians additional charges greater than that of Medicare assignment. In general, physicians accept medicare assignment. You can ask your doctor and verify before going forward with a procedure. I never read anything different between the two Plans when it comes to nursing home coverage. I was turned off by AARP's aggressive advertising of United Health Group, we were bombarded with mailings and phone calls from them. We both went with Blue Cross Legacy Plan C Medigap and First Health Value Plan for drugs, Part D. Hmm...more questions ...
by bill99
Tue Jun 19, 2012 10:55 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medigap F for folks with "conditions"?
Replies: 25
Views: 4198

Re: Medigap F for folks with "conditions"?

fandango wrote:I would recommend an independent insurance agent who does a lot of Medigap insurance to help you. They are very knowledgeable and do not end up costing you anything. There are better options than AARP/United Health Care out there. It is not necessarily the most competitive option.
Good thought, fandango. Our agent only does group, but I'm sure could refer us to an agent who does Medicare.
by bill99
Mon Jun 18, 2012 11:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medigap F for folks with "conditions"?
Replies: 25
Views: 4198

Re: Medigap F for folks with "conditions"?

mur44 wrote:1. When you move, you will have guarantee issue and you will
be able to buy a Medigap plan without any medical underwriting.
Thanks, mur44. Good to know.

Bill
by bill99
Mon Jun 18, 2012 8:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medigap F for folks with "conditions"?
Replies: 25
Views: 4198

Re: Medigap F for folks with "conditions"?

Oops. This is my brain on Medigap. :oops:

Here's the link to the MoneyWatch piece on AARP's insurance.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505146_162- ... t-for-you/

Bill
by bill99
Mon Jun 18, 2012 7:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medigap F for folks with "conditions"?
Replies: 25
Views: 4198

Re: Medigap F for folks with "conditions"?

Thanks, kaneohe. My sense is similar to yours -- that it might be easier to downgrade plans if desired down the road. Your logic on how insurance companies think on that issue makes sense, and matches our experience with our small group insurance. Easy to switch to a higher deductible plan but no way to move to a lower deductible plan without underwriting.

Will check our state rules. Good thought. And thanks for the info on AARP's 2 tier setup. I'll ask about that.

FYI, interesting article on CBS MoneyWatch on AARP's insurance program. It's from '09, so a bit dated, but a pretty good discussion in the "Medicare Supplemental Insurance" section, including some comments on their Community Rating.

Cheers,
Bill
by bill99
Mon Jun 18, 2012 1:16 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medigap F for folks with "conditions"?
Replies: 25
Views: 4198

Medigap F for folks with "conditions"?

Wife 65 next month; me in 14 months. We take several meds, and have pre-existing conditions. Live in Northern Virginia, but may move to Carolinas or Florida in the next few years. She's already signed up for Medicare Part A and B. We're leaning towards Medigap F ( not the High Deductible version). Does that seem like a reasonable choice for us? Later on, could we switch to Medigap F - High Deductible -- without going thru medical underwriting? Will we be able to switch providers later on, without a penalty, or medical underwriting? Pricing question: Community-Rated vs. Issue-Age-Rated vs. Attained-Age-Rated. 28 companies offer Medigap F in my zip code. Of them, just one -- AARP (UnitedHealthcare, I think) offers Community-Rated. Two offer I...
by bill99
Thu May 24, 2012 11:02 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Jack and Rick on the Fox Business today
Replies: 30
Views: 3595

Re: Jack and Rick on the Fox Business today

Rick, thanks for the heads-up.

Bill
by bill99
Sat May 05, 2012 10:46 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Anyone rent a car for driving trips?
Replies: 30
Views: 3253

Re: Anyone rent a car for driving trips?

Own an '06 Lincoln LS; great car so far, and a very nice road trip car -- if the roads are smooth. But not the cushiest ride, and my wife feels the bumps, plus recent spine surgery makes a soft ride important. So, for future trips to see family in NY, will probably rent a Caddy or TownCar, or similar. If a winter trip, will try for large-ish 4WD SUV. (The LS has 4" ground clearance; it's surprisingly good in snow for a RWD, but 4" ain't a lot. When we were up last winter, I had to rent a Dodge Nitro just to get around in snow. Great for snow, btw, but rides like a tank.) The downsides to renting (aside from cost :-) are the inconvenience, and having to clean the car (after the rental folks "clean" it) before we use it. L...
by bill99
Fri Apr 27, 2012 8:48 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Wells Fargo HARP Refi an OK deal?
Replies: 10
Views: 2003

Re: Wells Fargo HARP Refi an OK deal?

Is it possible to just sell now and buy a more convenient home for you at these low interest rates?
Well, if "now" is this year, won't happen. Next year, maybe. The curve ball is that my wife's adamant that we buy the next house first, before we sell this house. She wants a gradual move. So at that point we'd effectively be looking at buying a (less expensive) 2nd home, which would then become our first home, fairly quickly, when we sell our current house. Not my first choice financially, but it is what it is.

Good advice on the 15 vs. 30. Our work income is somewhat variable, so that is a factor.

Never a dull moment in Dry Gulch. :|
by bill99
Thu Apr 26, 2012 11:56 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Wells Fargo HARP Refi an OK deal?
Replies: 10
Views: 2003

Re: Wells Fargo HARP Refi an OK deal?

Thanks for the feedback! Looks like the consensus is to refi now. Makes sense, as does locking the rate. Definitely don't want prepayment penalties -- I'll be sure to ask. Wife and I are 64/63; 3 stories of stairs and winters starting to bother us more, so I don't think we'll still be in this house 5 yrs from now (or even 3), but I thought that in 2003. :? Our self-employment income does vary some and tends to be seasonal, but manageable. I had thought, go with 20yr., have less time on the mortgage than with current mortgage. But I see your points on both the 15 (lower rate; pay off soonest) and the 30 (biggest monthly reduction/immediate cash flow impact, for a rate not much more than the 20, but with the slowest payoff). Still, I don't se...
by bill99
Wed Apr 25, 2012 11:22 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Wells Fargo HARP Refi an OK deal?
Replies: 10
Views: 2003

Wells Fargo HARP Refi an OK deal?

Wells Fargo has been pitching a refi. Stats: --21 years left on 30 yr. 5.875% mortgage. --$130,963 balance; 20% loan-to-value Their pitch: 20 yr. fixed at 3.75% = monthly P&I of $780.14; $272.80/mo savings. ($15.8k savings over life of mortgage) 15 yr: 3.125% = $916.62; $136.32/mo. savings. ($38k savings over life of mortgage) The 30 yr. at 3.875% saves $434.19/mo, but costs $19.7k more over the life of the mortgage (the Ric Edelman solution? :-) The numbers are from a few weeks ago, so may be a bit lower. Their pitch is "No Cost 3 Step Interest Rate Reduction", and we supposedly qualify even though we're self-employed. No costs, no money out of pocket, no closing costs, no points (or at least all of the magical no costs (:-) ...
by bill99
Wed Apr 25, 2012 10:27 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Going uninsured for 6 months to get pre-existing cond. ins.?
Replies: 42
Views: 3670

Re: Going uninsured for 6 months to get pre-existing cond. i

Assuming Florida residency is a done deal for you, (and I agree with others that it's worth pursuing the technicalities -- nothing illegal or even unethical in that), then you may want to: 1. Run the idea of going 6months bare by your Rheumatologist, and ask if he or she knows anything about the govt. program (and the viability of its funding!). Also ask about the pros and cons of skipping infusions for part or all of the 6 months. And whether any other meds would (temporarily) substitute for the infusions, which I'm assuming are hideously expensive. 2. Talk to the govt. agency offering the insurance program to double-check qualifying rules, and how well funded the program is, so that you don't wind up after 6 months of self-rationing, with...
by bill99
Tue Jan 10, 2012 11:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Glad it wasnt an accident but what were my options
Replies: 75
Views: 5730

Re: Glad it wasnt an accident but what were my options

Here is the location of the intersection. http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/403/88292186.jpg/ A picture really is worth a thousand words. Multi-lane road, 45mph limit, lots of traffic, some arguably going 50-55, twilight... Couple of thoughts: 1. The guy standing in the middle of the road has a death wish. Lucky to be alive. 2. The guy who backed up his car on the busy road (after getting zinged by his co-pilot wife) to "chat" with the guy with the death wish, who he almost ran over, may not have a death wish, but might have temporary insanity issues. :) Come to think of it, pedestrian guy may also have had temporary insanity issues, on account of almost being run over, and then maybe thinking that driver guy was backing up to...
by bill99
Thu Jan 05, 2012 7:45 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What (Probably Used) Car to Buy
Replies: 43
Views: 3474

Re: What (Probably Used) Car to Buy

You don't really need a fuel-economy champ if you're not going to drive it very much. I live in this area, too. Dense, high-speed traffic, lots of nuts, half the drivers, give or take, are on their cell phones while they drive. I'd go for something that's fairly nimble, easy to park, but also well-built, with lots of active and passive protection features -- i.e., multiple airbags, stability control, good crash safety record, good braking, handling, steering, acceleration. Hey, you could buy my '06 Lincoln LS! (Just kidding.) Very reliable 65k miles (so far); great road car if you ever take road trips, cooled front seats (very nice in summer) and options a yard long. Handling close to a 5 series BMW. But resale price sinks like a stone. Bet...
by bill99
Mon Nov 14, 2011 11:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Selling Dad's annuity -- better for him or heirs to pay tax?
Replies: 8
Views: 1181

Re: Selling Dad's annuity -- better for him or heirs to pay

Talked to Vanguard's Annuity Dept. Very helpful.

No go on the SPIA, at least at Vanguard. Their cutoff is age 85.

If we do nothing, and Dad passes, the heirs can choose a lump sum distribution, or annuitize over 5, 10, 15 or 20 years, or life. And one heir can choose, say, a lump sum, while the other chooses to annuitize.

Mor flexibility than I though.

Bill