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supersharpie

Social Security is not an investment. It's a social welfare program. So it can't be a Ponzi scheme. Think again. I did think again and he is right. Social Security, as the name implies, is a socialist program intended to provide a safety net to the elderly and infirmed along with surviving minor an...

supersharpie

When I was in my twenties, I made the decision to invest enough such that in 10 years, I would be gaining the equivalent of my salary every year from my passive investments. So basically, I invested my entire salary. You should, too. You invested your entire salary? How, pray tell, did you pay for ...

supersharpie

My wife is being transferred at some point in 2012 and her company offers a great relocation package. They offer to buy the house and pay all closing costs and taxes. They send an appraiser out and whatever that person values our home at will be the price the company offers. So here is the deal... O...

supersharpie

Government Pension Offset: This will impact my spouse. As I will be receiving a pension from a government entity in which I DID NOT pay into the Social Security system (I have another twenty years in another government system), should I predecease my spouse she will receive NO SS money from my earn...

supersharpie

This is more of a vent. About 5 years ago the company that hired me was bought out by a much larger foreign company. We were told that our existing benefits would be grandfathered. The original company offered pension but I never enrolled. About a year ago, I began to notice in my benefit statement...

supersharpie

See bolded info: GN 02608.100 General Rules for Government Pension Offset (GPO) A. Policy 1. GPO Applicability GPO applies to a spouse's Social Security benefit if the spouse receives a pension based upon his/her own government employment not covered under Social Security. Exemptions to GPO are allo...

supersharpie

You are using the wrong terminology. What you seem to be referring to is the Windfall Elimination Provision and it affects your Social Security retirement benefits. The GPO refers to $2 for $3 offset of your eligibility for benefits on a spouse's record vs the gross amount of your government pension...

supersharpie

why does your wife want you to lock in your losses and expose more of your income to immediate taxation?

does not compute

supersharpie

Timing couldn't be better :evil: I have a bad feeling that we may be headed into a terrible spiral. I just have that gut feeling like we are hanging onto the cliff by our fingernails at this point. I'm only 31, but I feel horrible for all the baby boomers who are nearing retirement. :( But hey, one...

supersharpie

Maybe I am wrong, but I thought the objective on putting money in the stock market was to BUY LOW AND SELL HIGH. Somebody please correct me if Im wrong That is a good goal, but it hasn't worked in Japan for over a decade. Maybe the odds are that same scenario won't happen in the U.S. but I personal...

supersharpie

OP, I am also 27 and I am about 90% equities. You are very unlikely to reach your retirement goals without a significant amount of early investment in equities. Why can't you ignore your account balances? Do you really think the markets won't rebound before you retire? At our age it is actually in o...

supersharpie

Hi Everyone, First of thanks for reading my previous posts regarding an unexpected job offer. Since then I have accepted said offer and will start in two months. I will not be eligible for 401k until after the first year. As my paycheck is above $100k, I'm nervous of getting huge tax bill. Other th...

supersharpie

Tom_T wrote:
supersharpie wrote:I am keeping my 2011 Roth IRA contribution in my money market making 1.1% for the time being thank you very much!
What money market fund pays 1.1%, if I may ask?

A grandfathered MBNA (now BoA) NEA account.

supersharpie

Tom_T wrote:Well, if Tuesday was a good day to buy, then today must be a great day to buy.

I am keeping my 2011 Roth IRA contribution in my money market making 1.1% for the time being thank you very much!

supersharpie

Do I feel sorry for the people who lost there jobs during the last recession and who might lose there job in another recession? No. That's just Darwin at work. Very few people are a victim of circumstance, most are a victim of poor personal choices in life. If you choose to go to school and get a a...

supersharpie

My husband and I have been retired for 4 years. He is 63, I am 61. After gutting out the many fluctuations in the stock market, we sold most of our stocks several months ago. We were about to leave on vacation, and didn't feel comfortable letting things ride while we were gone. We thought we could ...

supersharpie

In my view, any significant benefit reduction would be phased in over many years. In the mid-1980s Congress raised the full retirement age for SS from 65 to 67. But it was about 20 years before the full retirement age began to slowly increase. Any future major benefit reductions would almost surely...

supersharpie

I frequent the message board of one of my favorite bands (Phish) frequently. It is an entertaining forum with plenty of esoteric topics. I came across this thread today:

http://phantasytour.com/bands/1/topics/2788100/posts

supersharpie

but I pretty much can't stand the trips to a$$-crack Indiana or whatever for a client meeting, or anywhere really between the coasts Seems the point of this thread is that a$$-crack has everything worthwhile that Paris, Mumbai, or any natural wonders throughout the world can offer -- without having...

supersharpie

Dealcatcher is awesome

supersharpie

No dramatic changes, but I sold 20% of my munis (munis represent approx 30% of my portfolio). My allocation to stocks is already low, I'm waiting for a significant decline (which I think is pretty much unavoidable) to add to it. The most likely outcome in my view is a last minute deal and markets a...

supersharpie

My wife just bought a 1998 Accord with 134,000 miles for $1000. The owner is my uncle and kept the car in pristine condition. Did we get a good deal? :wink: Well, I guess you'll know in the near future . . . If you get a problem-free 4,000 miles, you win, based on my calculations of $25,000 for a n...

supersharpie

I do not rebalance. When I am in my late 40s/early 50s I will probably lock in a good portion of my investment earnings by transferring them into the G Fund of the TSP. At 27 however, I am primarily focused on a LTBH strategy.

supersharpie

I liquidated most of my portfolio last Tuesday. Never imagined I would do anything like that, but sabotage by Congress isn't what I signed up for when I bought stock funds. Stocks are near 3-year highs right now and given all the outsized risks at the moment, cash seems like a pretty good deal to m...

supersharpie

My wife just bought a 1998 Accord with 134,000 miles for $1000.

The owner is my uncle and kept the car in pristine condition.

Did we get a good deal?

supersharpie

I am currently recieving survivor benefits on myself and four children, we currently recieve $3000 monthly split five ways, my oldest child will be graduating in two years and will be 18, I'm wondering when they stop his check, will the families total still reamain the same, and the four way split ...

supersharpie

I liquidated most of my portfolio last Tuesday. Never imagined I would do anything like that, but sabotage by Congress isn't what I signed up for when I bought stock funds. Stocks are near 3-year highs right now and given all the outsized risks at the moment, cash seems like a pretty good deal to m...

supersharpie

The reality of the situation is that if we failed to raise the debt ceiling we would not automatically default. Default is a strictly political decision. The Treasury takes in roughly $200 Billion a month, more than enough to pay all of the bond holders, Social Security, Medicare,and the military. ...

supersharpie

I do not believe that both parties are "putting on a show". They are both sticking to (what they believe are) their core principles. Because of this, I do not expect an agreement to be reached. However, I do expect the President to invoke the 14th Amendment, and keep paying all expenditures (includ...

supersharpie

The gullibility of the American people never ceases to amaze me. Clearly both parties, mindful of the 2012 elections, are putting on a show for their constituents. After they are convinced they have enough soundbites for their TV ads they will work out a deal this weekend. This is the same deal as t...

supersharpie

We should probably be trying to model ourselves after one of the few responsible states in the union: North Dakota. The OP is correct in that it seems that CA usually sets the tone for the rest of the nation, I fear a bleak future forming... Seriously? North Dakota? That's like saying, New York Cit...

supersharpie

Long story sort, a house bought, a house sold, and $250K taken out of the stock market when the DOW was at approximately 11,000. Got the lump sum back and today the DOW is at approximately 12,500. What would you do? Yes, my AA is short on stocks and high on fixed/cash with this lump sum. Am I wrong...

supersharpie

The pension they offer takes the place of Social Security. Normally the pension is more lucrative than the Social Security would be at the same level of contribution. As long as you have earned 40 Social Security benefits you will be guarenteed some retirement money from SSA even after WEP. The max ...

supersharpie

Switching to just streaming. My wife and I probably watch 50+ hours of Netflix streaming a month. There are so many great complete TV series, documentaries, foreign films, and underrated gems (Criterion Collection anyone???) $7.99/month for all of that is the entertainment bargain of the 21st Century.

supersharpie

I am only 27 so this is not something I will need to do for 25 to 35 years but, I was dismayed to find that the TSP offers very limited withdrawal options. You can take a lump sum payout, buy a pension, or sign-up for one of three payout schemes, none of which allow you to control exactly how much y...

supersharpie

I think that was a nice act by the fan, assuming he willingly gave it up. Why does it matter whether Jeter is wealthy? Because he could buy it at market value without feeling the cost one iota? Yet that value would radically transform the fan's entire life. Compare to an amateur being involved with...

supersharpie

rylemdr wrote:I for one, am very disappointed.

It was a Michael Bay movie. What exactly did you expect??? The dude is a complete joke of a "director."

supersharpie

"Gesundheit" is English. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Responses_to_sneezing No, it most certainly is not. It is German for "health" and German immigrants in the 18th/19th Century are responsible for the practice. That's just etymology. It was imported from another language, but so were "pizza," "ts...

supersharpie

I have been browsing through this forum for a while, and have a question that is kinda tricky. I would really welcome any comments and suggestions from knowledgeable folks who frequent this forum. The basic situation is this: I and my boyfriend are thinking about getting married in Canada. My boyfr...

supersharpie

Bless you has a religious connotation. Gesundheit is a wish of good health. I prefer to use the latter. Victoria And I prefer to use English. Bless you. "Gesundheit" is English. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Responses_to_sneezing No, it most certainly is not. It is German for "health" and German imm...

supersharpie

This is not a math problem it's a philosophy problem and one that should not just be shunted off as in "Wow you're saving a lot stop complaining." I think it's not just a philosophy problem it CAN sometimes be a mental health problem. I'm serious about the addiction. Dieharder - this might mean you...

supersharpie

According to a new study by the Employee Benefit Research Institute, that may be the case... A 2006 law designed to boost employees' retirement-savings is having the opposite effect for some people. WSJ's Anne Tergesen reports a 2006 law allowing companies to automatically enroll people in 401(k) p...

supersharpie

Uninvested wrote:Take the cost and add in potential funeral costs if pirated.

Good on them for being a little adventurous. Besides, we're talking about the Baltic here, not Africa or the Middle East. There are far more dangerous places to travel.

supersharpie

I read a bit and didn't see anyone mention ... If you increase savings 5% every year ... don't you hit 100% at some point? At some level the savings % should get capped for this hypothetical situation. Yes - much like if you raise taxes 5%+ each year, eventually your annual cost outlay doubles. If ...

supersharpie

I do not know how to figure out compound interest. My kids have roth ira's, started june 2010 - maxing out through biweekly deposits the legal limit. They are in an aggressive growth fund, which I just checked and it gained 23.94% in the last 12 months. Right now one has 12k the other is at 11,200....

supersharpie

It is bought for $1500 per month for 48 months, not $500. The value of the annuity is $500 per month. Instead of collecting $1500 per month from SS for those 4 years, you collect $0. Then at 66, you start collecting $2000, a $500 increase over what you would continue to get had you taken it early. ...

supersharpie

Anyone 45 years or older will be grandfathered in under the old system just as they were back in the 80s when they reformed Social Security. You state this as thought it's founded in probative proof. Do you have a citation? Does it include high-earners who might be subject to means testing? Your bl...

supersharpie

I researched that size car extensively in the last few months. I bought a Hyundai Elantra. Excellent build quality, partially made in USA (Alabama). 4dr, auto (6 sp.), air, xm radio, ipod plug in etc. $18000 new with 6 miles. 10 year powertrain warranty, 5 year balance. No other vehicle in this pri...

supersharpie

I will be taking mine as early as possible since future checks will be facing reductions or worse. No, they won't! - Put down the Koolaid. Boy, are you in for a shock! Reducing benefits for those already in their senior years is not politically viable. Anyone 45 years or older will be grandfathered...

supersharpie

For instance: You are eligible for $1500 starting the month after you turn 62. From then until FRA (47 months) you could receive $70,500. Instead, you turn down the early money and choose to collect $2000 ($1500 base benefit + $500 supplemental annuity) at FRA. So... If you would be comfortable for...

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Facing home appraisal for a relocation package...what to do?

Re: Was Told By HR I am NOT on Pension Plan

Re: Not eligible for 401k until aftr first yr of job, Help!

Re: Nervous Retirees Seek Allocation Advice

Sad insight into how young workers view retirement

Re: widows survivior benefits on children

Re: $250K lump sum...missed 1500 points in the DOW, where to

Is a TSP rollover into a TIRA at retirement a good idea?

Re: Did you like the transformers movie?

Re: Help with same sex couple retirement planning

Re: Automatic 401k enrollment is suppressing retirement savi

Re: Social Security Delay: the Rallying Cry