Search found 102 matches

by samjuno
Thu Nov 03, 2016 11:02 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Secure alternative to Gmail
Replies: 48
Views: 12640

Signed up w/ ProtonMail

Trying out the free account.
Sign up was easy. They didn't even ask for another email address unless you want to (if you lose your passwords).

https://protonmail.com/blog/yahoo-us-intelligence/

-sam
by samjuno
Thu Nov 03, 2016 8:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Secure alternative to Gmail
Replies: 48
Views: 12640

Re: Threat concern

1) Governmental monitoring (foreign governments/actors) which might impact my future travel & the security of my email recipients in other countries (fully aware that innocent remarks can be misinterpreted or abused). 2) Identity theft. But realize that horse has left the barn, since much of our info is already for sale on "the dark web". 3) Growing increasingly "Google-phobic" & just curious if there are other alternatives. (Will check into Fastmail & ProtonMail). I know that nothing on the net can be fully secure & maybe this is a fruitless search unless I want to delve more deeply into technology than I care to. Truly depressing how even ProtoMail & Brian Krebs can be targets of DDOS attacks. https...
by samjuno
Thu Nov 03, 2016 1:18 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Secure alternative to Gmail
Replies: 48
Views: 12640

Re: Secure alternative to Gmail

Guess I'll have to learn more about encryption tools & using VPNs. Was hoping for something simpler.
by samjuno
Thu Nov 03, 2016 12:53 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Secure alternative to Gmail
Replies: 48
Views: 12640

Secure alternative to Gmail

Will be losing my very secure work email account soon. I have a personal Gmail account, but would like to set up another email account somewhere. Does anyone know of another non-Goggle email provider with good security? I also have a Yahoo email account, but don't consider it very secure. Realize nothing is hack-proof these days, but there might be degrees of vulnerability.
by samjuno
Fri Oct 28, 2016 12:00 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Anuitizing TIAA-CREF & RMDs
Replies: 7
Views: 1521

Re: Anuitizing TIAA-CREF & RMDs

I think I will scrap the Roth rollover idea for simplicity. My tax bracket with the 2016 rmd payment might still keep me in the 15% tax bracket for 2016 & if I annuitize Jan 2017 the entire 403b - it will cover my 2017 rmd & I might still be in the 15% tax bracket for 2017.

I might check this with a tax CPA & TIAA-CREF to make sure. My DIY days for taxes/investments/etc. are coming to an end soon.

Really appreciate your input. This pre-retirement planning is mind numbing.


-sam
by samjuno
Thu Oct 27, 2016 10:22 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Anuitizing TIAA-CREF & RMDs
Replies: 7
Views: 1521

Re: Anuitizing TIAA-CREF & RMDs

Thank you for comments/info.
I don't have any pre-1987 T-C contributions.
It does sound like I might have to take my 2016 rmd this year before I can determine if I should do a rollover to my Roth before end of this year.
I hope, however, you are not annuitizing the total of all your investments. That could be perilous if you leave yourself without dry powder in case you have an immediate need for money that exceeds your monthly annuity income.
Thanks, I do have an emergency fund (HSA,savings,I-Bonds) & short term bond Roth funds.
-sam


-sam
by samjuno
Thu Oct 27, 2016 3:33 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Anuitizing TIAA-CREF & RMDs
Replies: 7
Views: 1521

Anuitizing TIAA-CREF & RMDs

Currently working full-time & now 71 yrs. old. Want to put everything in my 403b with TIAA-CREF into a life-time annuity when I retire soon, but am not sure how that will affect rmds. I know I will owe 2016 rmd (due by April 2017), but hope to avoid having to pay 2017 rmd. T-C person advised me to work into 2017 since rmds aren't due till after you stop working, but I don't want to get hit with two rmds in 2017. Not sure if I should annuitize before 12/31 this year or wait till late Jan or Feb 2017 & how that will affect the rmds due in 2017. I know my 403b balance on 12/31 will affect the 2017 rmd. (Might do another last rollover to my Roth before 12/31 depending on how much space is left in my 15% tax bracket). My question: how ar...
by samjuno
Sat Oct 01, 2016 5:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What kind of car do Bogleheads like to drive?
Replies: 470
Views: 47525

Re: What kind of car do Bogleheads like to drive?

If you love to drive & enjoy "road feel"- older is better.
A vintage Honda Civic Hbk or a newer VW (if you can afford the repairs/recall hassles etc.).
More electronics=higher repair $$$.
by samjuno
Sat Jul 02, 2016 8:27 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: TIAA Real Estate vs. Vanguard REITS
Replies: 26
Views: 7201

Re: TIAA Real Estate vs. Vanguard REITS

T-C said what I don't annuitize now, can be later & so I might keep Real Estate for a while longer & hold REITs in my Vanguard Roth.
Thanks all for the great info. Gives me much to mull over, esp. the RMD issue which I'm facing now.

-sam
by samjuno
Fri Jul 01, 2016 12:56 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: TIAA Real Estate vs. Vanguard REITS
Replies: 26
Views: 7201

Re: TIAA Real Estate vs. Vanguard REITS

Thanks, didn't realize REITS would be more volatile than T-C's Real Estate fund & expenses weren't comparable.
The decision to keep holding the Real Estate fund would impact whether I go 100% annuitized or leave a small amt. in Real Estate with T-C.

My Roth is going to be my main inflation hedge, so the decision isn't a major one.

-sam
by samjuno
Thu Jun 30, 2016 11:55 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: TIAA Real Estate vs. Vanguard REITS
Replies: 26
Views: 7201

TIAA Real Estate vs. Vanguard REITS

I'm preparing to annuitize most of my TIAA-CREF 403b, but have heard TIAA Real Estate is hard to duplicate since it owns actual properties. Am not sure what the advantage would be in keeping it, when Vanguard's REIT Index fund is so much cheaper (.89% vs .12%).The T-C rep promotes it for its diversifying effect, but I assume a REIT fund would do the same.
Am I missing something here?

I already have my Roth in Vanguard funds, so am not concerned about simplifying by keeping everything in one fund family.

-sam
by samjuno
Mon May 09, 2016 1:16 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Treasury Direct owes me $$
Replies: 4
Views: 1314

Re: Bond calculator

Just spoke with TD.
The discrepancy was due to using the Bond calculator which is only meant for paper I-bonds & can't handle bonds bought on TD correctly. It will list (& probably not include in calculations) amounts such as $150...$250...etc. as $100...$200..

Since I've been buying paper I-bonds from year 2000 & only switched to TD later, most of my I-bonds are paper. This means in order to see how much all my I-bonds are worth today, I have two sets of records to check (!). From now on, I'll only buy paper bonds with my tax refunds. One would think they could come up with a better calculator.
by samjuno
Mon May 09, 2016 12:26 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Treasury Direct owes me $$
Replies: 4
Views: 1314

Treasury Direct owes me $$

I've bought I-bonds on TD for several years now and don't really like their website, so I don't log in regularly (been locked out so many times). Today, I noticed two I-bonds I purchased in 2014 did not match my bank records. TD listed them as $200 bonds, but my bank records show $250 was withdrawn twice. Has anyone been successful in getting a refund from TD? I think my intention was to purchase two $250 I-bonds. Now it appears they don't have $250 bonds, so they should have refunded me $100. I dread what a hassle it will be to straighten this out.

Am currently locked out of my TD account, but will call them tomorrow to see what they say about this, but wondered if anyone else has had a similar problem.
by samjuno
Mon Nov 16, 2015 1:53 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Direct rollover to Roth
Replies: 2
Views: 586

Direct rollover to Roth

If I already made my max contribution to my Vanguard Roth for this year, can I still rollover $10k direct from my 403b at TIAA-CREF to a Roth at Vanguard before the year's end?

I will pay taxes on it, but will still be in the 15% bracket & it will lower the RMD I have to start paying next year. My tax bracket for next year will be higher since I start Social Security & am still working.
by samjuno
Sat Sep 05, 2015 1:04 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Reframing-the-social-security-decision"
Replies: 63
Views: 6599

Re: Reframing-the-social-security-decision"

As one who is planning on collecting my SS in a few months at the age of 70- I have not had to touch my Roth or 403b, because I am still working full time & hope to continue for at least another year. I also plan to keep contributing to my Roth.

The downside is that working & collecting SS with RMDs approaching, means I will be pushed into a higher tax bracket & 85% of my SS will be taxed.

-sam
by samjuno
Mon May 11, 2015 10:36 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Financial advisor vs. CPA/Tax specialist
Replies: 5
Views: 1063

Financial advisor vs. CPA/Tax specialist

Am currently working & plan to start Social Security next year. I also am turning 70 1/2 next year and face RMDs unless I keep working (hopefully, I still can). Realize this is a critical time for me to consider what if anything, I should do about pulling $$ from my 403b & doing the IRA to Roth conversion, and what steps might spare me that 85% Social Security tax hit (esp. odious to me since I've been in the 15% tax bracket most of my life). I have a fee-only financial advisor (CFP), who is a Boglehead & doesn't manage portfolios. He just gives advice. Having just met with him once, I don't know if it might be better to find a tax advisor now since most of my concerns center on future tax implications rather than actual fund in...
by samjuno
Tue Nov 25, 2014 9:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Paying Medicare premiums with FSA
Replies: 6
Views: 2510

Re: Paying Medicare premiums with FSA

I think the FSA company was making a distinction between insurance premiums for medical plans partially paid for by my employer (pre-tax) vs. the medicare D & medigap premiums paid directly by myself.

But the IRS bulletins don't make that distinction, therefore I will assume the
answer is no :( .

Thanks all.

-sam
by samjuno
Tue Nov 25, 2014 5:16 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Paying Medicare premiums with FSA
Replies: 6
Views: 2510

Paying Medicare premiums with FSA

Can one use FSA (Flex Spending Account) money to pay Medicare Part D & Medigap (Medicare supplement Insurance) premiums?

Tried to get answers from the IRS, but can't connect with anyone. My employer's FSA company claims I can, but am not certain I trust their answer. It will make a major difference in how much I contribute next year to the FSA.

I know my Part D drug co-pays can be paid with the FSA, but hoped some of the premiums would also qualify.

Hope someone knows the answer.


-sam
by samjuno
Sat Oct 18, 2014 1:40 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medigap Plan G vs Plan F?
Replies: 107
Views: 35678

Re: Medigap Plan G vs Plan F?

Kaneohe-

This is a link to find your state's SHIP contact:

https://shipnpr.shiptalk.org/shipprofil ... eSupport=1

They provide assistance for free and in my state they have free Medicare classes. They also have listings of all the Medigap providers with premium info & contact info.
This is an example of what they provide in Colorado:

http://cdn.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite?c= ... BONWrapper


(Click on the first pdf file for rate info.)
-sam
by samjuno
Fri Oct 17, 2014 9:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medigap Plan G vs Plan F?
Replies: 107
Views: 35678

Re: Medigap Plan G vs Plan F?

Update:

2nd year on Plan G with Government Personnel Mutual (GPM) & so far no major rate increase. Premium still <$110/month & will turn 70 late next year.
This is in Colorado. Uncertain what their relationship is with Mutual of Omaha, so will see if I'm still in the "teaser rate" period.

-sam
by samjuno
Sun Jul 27, 2014 1:13 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Recorded Q&A with Rick Ferri and the RTP Bogleheads
Replies: 25
Views: 4703

Re: Recorded Q&A with Rick Ferri and the RTP Bogleheads

After watching this interview, I downloaded his free book, read his comments re: asset allocations & found it to be the impetus I needed to get my allocation in line with my "investor psychology".

Thanks for posting this. I will be regularly checking his blog from now on.

-sam
by samjuno
Tue Feb 26, 2013 9:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Out of state notary services
Replies: 9
Views: 1255

Re: Out of state notary services

Spoke with the Hawaii State Ass't Attorney General & he also suggested using my own state's notary and submitting the Hawaii affidavit to the insurance company.

-sam
by samjuno
Sat Feb 23, 2013 12:23 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Out of state notary services
Replies: 9
Views: 1255

Re: Out of state notary services

Yes, that makes sense (just sending in an affidavit from my state & seeing what they do).

Or I might just send them the Hawaii affidavit and have it notarized by someone in my state and see how they respond.

Thanks.

-sam
by samjuno
Thu Feb 21, 2013 10:48 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Out of state notary services
Replies: 9
Views: 1255

Re: Out of state notary services

It was the insurance company that informed me that they need the affidavit from Hawaii in order to release the money to me. To my knowledge, my mother's estate didn't need to go through probate since she had few assets.

I might go ahead and send the insurance company a "Small Estate Affidavit" from my own state and see if they might accept that.

BTW- I did research notarizations via Skype and it doesn't sound legal.

Thanks.

-sam
by samjuno
Thu Feb 21, 2013 9:22 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Out of state notary services
Replies: 9
Views: 1255

Out of state notary services

Am trying to collect on my deceased mother's old annuity with an insurance company. She passed away several years ago in Hawaii & the insurance company tells me I need to complete & submit a "Small estate affidavit" from Hawaii. Problem is that the form requires a Hawaii notary public and I live in another state & can't travel there just to sign a form (cost of the trip would probably almost equal what is in the annuity).

Has anyone had experience with this sort of thing? Is there any way to have a notary certify a signature made in another state? Maybe via Skype?

-sam
by samjuno
Thu Feb 21, 2013 8:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: looking for best prepaid cell phone and carrier
Replies: 5
Views: 1577

Re: looking for best prepaid cell phone and carrier

I like Boost Mobile. Pay $10 every 90 days and it gets added on to my balance. Don't use my cell phone very often, but figure $3.33/month is worth having it. Love my Sanyo Mirro, but don't think it's available anymore.

Runs on Sprint network.


-sam
by samjuno
Fri Feb 15, 2013 8:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medigap Plan G vs Plan F?
Replies: 107
Views: 35678

Re: Medigap Plan G vs Plan F?

Local SHIP counselor told us in Medicare class that some medigap companies either won't accept you or allow you to "upgrade" your plan (ex. move from a N plan to a F plan) if you change your mind later. Think that refers to changes once your "Guaranteed Enrollment Period" is past. Also, unless you change in the first year, going from an Advantage plan to regular medicare with medigap can be problematic (underwriting or nonacceptance issues).

I decided to get the best coverage the first year and will probably go with Kaiser later on when finances get tighter.

-sam
by samjuno
Fri Feb 15, 2013 5:42 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HSA & Medicare A appeal?
Replies: 2
Views: 624

Re: HSA & Medicare A appeal?

Yes, I already considered that & it's the main reason I finally enrolled in Medicare. Penalty was getting too large for Part D.

-sam
by samjuno
Wed Feb 13, 2013 9:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medigap Plan G vs Plan F?
Replies: 107
Views: 35678

Re: Medigap Plan G vs Plan F?

Just signed up for Plan G for all the reasons you mentioned.
Went w/ cheapest company (in my state) for that Plan (GPM) which is administered by MofO. Don't know if
that's good or bad since this is my first year w/ them.



-sam
by samjuno
Tue Feb 12, 2013 9:30 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HSA & Medicare A appeal?
Replies: 2
Views: 624

HSA & Medicare A appeal?

At 67, I voluntarily decided to sign up for Medicare & drop my employer's group HDHP plan even if I'm still working & not drawing on my social security yet. Social Security sent me my Medicare card which states Part A is retroactive to last June 2012. Since I've contributed to my HSA for 2012, I tried to get them not to make Part A retroactive, but no one at Social Security knew how to avoid it. Now I'm forced to withdraw 7 months of HSA contributions before tax day or face a penalty. Since I was fully covered by my group HDHP all of last year, I see no reason why they should have made Medicare Part A retroactive. My HR dept.(large employer) has never heard of such a thing, but my local Social Security office claimed it's done often...
by samjuno
Sat Nov 03, 2012 3:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medicare Medigap policy cost
Replies: 68
Views: 38077

Re: Medicare Medigap policy cost

Uncertain if a SHIP counselor could give you specific recommendations as to Medigap companies or brokers.
You might need to contact companies directly or go the broker route. Lots of independent brokers are online. Unfortunately, I've noticed they each have their own biases as to which companies they like best, but there is some over-lap in advice. Amazed at how many recommend AARP/United Healthcare saying their rate increases are modest. I have to point out that their rate for 80 year old folks is not among the lower ones.


If you can talk with an independent broker in Calif. they can at least tell you which companies are asking for a rate increase,etc. Rates seem to change overnight and some of the quotes online are not up-to-date.
by samjuno
Sat Nov 03, 2012 12:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medicare Medigap policy cost
Replies: 68
Views: 38077

Re: Medicare Medigap policy cost

After reading this discussion, I'm wondering how a company like USAA would rate since they deal direct with customers and don't work with brokers. Wouldn't they have lower costs since they save on broker fees?

Most brokers appear to only cover the biggies (AARP/United Health Care, Anthem, Aetna etc.) & not companies that might have their own agents (Reserve, Physicians Mutual, Equitable..) so it seems evaluating those latter companies would be more difficult.
by samjuno
Wed Jun 13, 2012 12:57 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do new people often take the advice offered here?
Replies: 53
Views: 5133

Re: Do new people often take the advice offered here?

I've gotten good feedback from some generous folks here (Laura, Livesoft, Alec,etc.) & did start to implement changes when the Bear slowed me. Realize my fault is that I'm too fast getting into funds and too slow getting out. So here I am, sheepishly, still in too many funds. For someone with a small portfolio, I'm easily attracted to new funds (recently enamored with the Wellesley Fund). However, I did manage to reduce some holdings in non-Vanguard Funds & am still in process of simplifying..... I've taken Laura's advice and my current asset allocation is increasingly more conservative & am now in preservation mode even if I'm still working. So, even with the best of intentions and excellent advice, there's always one's curious...
by samjuno
Thu Nov 24, 2011 10:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Home Care Insurance for 1/2 price of LTCi?
Replies: 5
Views: 768

Re: Home Care Insurance for 1/2 price of LTCi?

The future of long term care assistance (Medicaid) is uncertain, especially after the tsunami of baby boomers starts needing it. A single person right now would need to only have $2000 in assets (not counting home and auto) to qualify and Medicaid would only cover care in a facility. Who knows what the requirements will be in 5+ years? It looks to me that some of those folks who don't have LTCi will end up curbside once nursing facilities get overwhelmed & stop taking any Medicaid patients. At 66 yrs. old,single and with a family history of Alzheimer's, cancer etc. & unable to afford LTCi (even if still employed), I'm hoping to find a way to extend my stay at home as much as possible. Home Care Insurance might cover those circumstan...
by samjuno
Tue Nov 22, 2011 10:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Home Care Insurance for 1/2 price of LTCi?
Replies: 5
Views: 768

Home Care Insurance for 1/2 price of LTCi?

Has anyone taken out Home Care Insurance not part of a Long Term Care policy? I can't afford LTCi, but am told that a Home Care policy would be 1/2 the cost. The plan with Physician's Mutual sounds good and they are a highly rated company by Weiss & others. My understanding is that they will cover home care in cases where Medicare might not. The MD has to certify you need such care for at least 3 months and instead of a daily rate, they base their coverage on a monthly rate (up to $6,000/mon). I suspect their underwriting is quite strict and they might even send a nurse to your home to interview you. I haven't applied yet, but if I pass underwriting and can get some coverage for <$100/month, it might be worthwhile esp. if I ever get hom...
by samjuno
Mon Oct 31, 2011 12:26 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Changing beneficiary on I bonds
Replies: 4
Views: 3264

Re: Changing beneficiary on I bonds

Mel-

Thanks, that clears it up for me. Since my sibling lived in another state, I better get a copy of her death certificate.

-sam
by samjuno
Sun Oct 30, 2011 7:42 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Is Amica insurance a great company for ... ?
Replies: 23
Views: 9501

Re: Is Amica insurance a great company for ... ?

I was evacuated from my condo due to a fire several years ago. AMICA was great and they paid for me and my two cats to stay at a very expensive motel which was much more convenient and cat accommodating than cheaper places which accepted pets (pet=dog friendly). My cats would have hated the other places (no carpet/dark etc.) & I suspect they (the cats) still miss that motel studio(lots of stuffed furniture & windows).

I also have my auto insurance with them and agree the dividend check is nice. They also gave me credit when I completed a Master Drive class (not AARP).
by samjuno
Sun Oct 30, 2011 7:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Changing beneficiary on I bonds
Replies: 4
Views: 3264

Changing beneficiary on I bonds

My sibling past away recently and I'm wondering what's the simplest way to deal with the fact that she was a beneficiary on some of my I bonds. If I leave things alone, and I pass away would it automatically go to her heirs or to my estate?

According to Treasury Direct, you can only change a beneficiary (on an I bond) if that person died. Am hoping to avoid having to request the bonds be reissued. Am fine if upon my death it goes to her heirs or my estate.

I'm at the age that many of my generation seem to be passing, and since I have several different friends as beneficiaries on my I bonds, I don't want to have to deal with reissuing bonds every time on of them passes.
by samjuno
Fri Oct 28, 2011 2:12 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: medicare advantage vs medigap
Replies: 28
Views: 3915

Re: medicare advantage vs medigap

I'm pretty sure you can't make HSA contributions after age 65...
It's not age, but whether you're enrolled in Medicare which disqualifies you :

"As long as you have not enrolled in Medicare Part A or B you are an eligible individual and may contribute to your HSA. Once you enroll in Medicare you may no longer contribute to your HSA."
I'm pretty sure the financial penalty does not apply if one still is employed and on his or her employer's health insurance.
You're right as far as Part A & B go, but Part D might have a penalty which I calculated to be around $7 for a two year delay depending on if my HDHP is "credible" or not (employer said last year it wasn't).
by samjuno
Thu Oct 27, 2011 1:37 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: medicare advantage vs medigap
Replies: 28
Views: 3915

Re: medicare advantage vs medigap

You're lucky to find a medi-gap plan that would take you. In the medicare class they warned us that it 's easier to switch from a medigap to an advantage plan, but going the other way might be impossible due to underwriting issues. I'm holding off another year before signing up with medicare so I can keep my employer's HDPH plan and contribute to my HSA.
by samjuno
Sun Oct 23, 2011 8:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Identity Theft insurance
Replies: 2
Views: 609

Identity Theft insurance

AMICA is offering this with a company called Identity Theft 911. I haven't heard how much they are charging, but wondered if anyone has had experience with this company and if this type of insurance is worthwhile.

http://www.amica.com/products/idFraudExpense.html
by samjuno
Wed Oct 13, 2010 11:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medicare Advantage -> Medigap: What exactly is the story?
Replies: 18
Views: 5476

Medicare Advantage Plan warning

Attended a "Medicare class" here in CO & was warned that if you get "seriously ill" - you could end up with horrendous co-pays. They mentioned something about patients having chemo being stuck with major (i.e. devastating) expenses. (Don't know if this would apply to Kaiser).

Was enough to turn me off advantage plans. They also mentioned if you wanted to switch from an Advantage to a medigap plan, you might not find a plan that would take you.


-sam
by samjuno
Fri Aug 06, 2010 1:53 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medicare vs. employer's HDHP
Replies: 6
Views: 3544

Part B penalty + HDHP

My group HDHP is not a "credible plan" in terms of Part D, so there would be a penalty in delaying signing up for it. It's unclear if I delayed signing up for Part A & B whether it would trigger a Part B penalty later. I attended a Medicare info session today & was told the employer's plan would have to be "credible" along with my being employed in order to escape a Part B penalty when I eventually apply. I called Social Security & was told they only care if I was working while on my employer's plan & that's all they would require not to assess a penalty for Part B. If I could trust that information, I would delay Medicare entirely and just stay on my HDHP AND keep contributing to my HSA for another year....
by samjuno
Thu Aug 05, 2010 2:56 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medicare vs. employer's HDHP
Replies: 6
Views: 3544

Medicare vs. employer's HDHP

I'm turning 65 soon and am faced with either staying on my employer's High deductible Health plan & keep contributing to my HSA or signing up for Medicare. I plan to keep working a few more years and am in the 15%-25% tax bracket (depending on overtime). Am currently in decent health with no major health issues. The HDHP currently has a deductible of $3100/yr. and I expect to spend almost $2800 out of pocket by year end. The HDHP premium is pretty low, around $30/mon., but will increase next year. I know the cost of going on Medicare (parts A,B,D + medigap) will probably be at least $250-$350/month. And the penalty for not signing up for Part D will last forever once I do sign up. The tax advantages of the HSA would make the HDHP seem l...
by samjuno
Fri Apr 03, 2009 8:50 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Sml. Portfolio-too many funds?
Replies: 6
Views: 1850

Yes, Dodge and Cox did have a distribution (.44)- so as of today's closing, it's up 27.3%.

I took too long listing the updates for the other funds & my earlier reply got kicked out when I was forced to log back in.

Anyway, I liked Alec's suggestions & will be mulling over all of the feedback.
I eventually plan to roll over everything to Vanguard, but the TIAA part has to be withdrawn over 9 years, so I'm reluctant to add to it.

Also, TIAA-CREF keeps raising their fees and that 12b-1 fee irks me.

Thanks-

Sam
by samjuno
Fri Apr 03, 2009 1:51 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Sml. Portfolio-too many funds?
Replies: 6
Views: 1850

1. What percentage did your DODGX increase since you bought the new shares? Bought the new shares at $53.11 & as of today it's at $66.76. So unless I miscalculated, DODGX has gone up 25.7%. 2. What percentage did the corresponding Vanguard fund that you would have bought increase since you bought the new shares of DODGX? Here are the increases on some of the other Vanguard funds I considered moving into on 3/9/09: -------- Fund- ------ Buy -------- Current ------ % Target Retirement 2010.....$15.11.................$17.16...............+13.57 Total Stock Mkt.(VTSMX).....16.43...................20.27...............+23.37 Total International Index.......7.97...................10.11...............+26.85 Mid-cap Index (VIMSX).........9.03.....
by samjuno
Fri Apr 03, 2009 5:41 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Sml. Portfolio-too many funds?
Replies: 6
Views: 1850

Sml. Portfolio-too many funds?

Several years (!) ago, Laura gave me helpful advice which I was in the process of implementing (slowly), but the bear market threw me into a state of paralysis. I was planning to move out of Dodge & Cox into Vanguard ....well, after losing so much, I'm resigned to holding still in D&C Stock (DODGX) & even transfered some funds out of D&C Income into DODGX at the dip (before the current bear market "rally"). My original plan was to simplify everything down to Vanguard's Target Retirement fund 2010 & my 403b funds in TIAA-CREF. I'm wavering in that decision now. My asset allocation isn't too far off mark, but I'm still in too many funds for a small portfolio. To date my largest losses have been in D&C Stock a...
by samjuno
Mon Oct 13, 2008 10:28 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Changing allocation: Fast or gradual?
Replies: 6
Views: 1876

One year later:

Bit the bullet today and transferred everything out of DODFX (Dodge & Cox Int'l) into DODGX (D&C Stock). Figured both funds were so down, that the move merely reduced my international exposure/risk. Still hanging on to DODIX ( D&C Income) more out of inertia than confidence. Also, transfered out of VGHCX (Vanguard Health Care) into my already established VTENX (Vanguard's Target Retirement 2010). I harvested some gains out of VGHCX earlier, so only a paltry amt. (<$1k) was left. Now I'm down to only two D&C funds and three Vanguard funds ( VGTSX , VFSTX & VTENX ) in my shrinking Roth IRA. I would like to ultimately transfer everything into VTENX, but I'm down around 37% in both VGSTX & DODGX , & I can't bring mys...
by samjuno
Sat Oct 11, 2008 8:33 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What's your current retirement AA of stocks vs bonds?
Replies: 11
Views: 3321

Late starter, been investing for last 13 years-current age 63- took more risk-started with 60/40 & over the last year dropped down to 55/45, but this month's market has probably dropped me closer to 50/50.

Current strategy- letting the market adjust my allocation & just increasing my emergency fund (now at 9.5 months) & thinking up "Plan B" in case I lose my job in the next few years.

Knew the idea of a secure retirement was probably out of bounds for me, but I tried to catch up. Now I know my chances are even less, but there's not much I can do at this point, but buy an occasional lottery ticket.

-sam
by samjuno
Wed Oct 08, 2008 9:36 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Just Took the Rebalancing Plunge
Replies: 10
Views: 3009

Teetering...

I've been trying to do the same (currently all my T-C contributions are going into money mkt.), but so far I'm still paralyzed ....I admire your courage.........

I too am about 2 years from retirement.

Good luck (to all us older Boomers)-

-Sam