Bogleheads.org

summerof42

My bone density test in 2005 showed beginning stages of Osteopenia. . . to date at 65 yrs young, more bone loss. Ugh! Isn't getting older lovely. With that said, let me first say I do not want to go by Doc's recommendation of taking a Rx that has been proven to cause bone deterioration in the jaw or...

summerof42

Thank you in advance for your replies. This year I will be retiring and looking to move out of {{{cold}}} WI and to Arizona. Friends are in Scottsdale, but it is a bit $$$ and crazy-busy there, so I may consider Anthem. As I start looking at Condo's and actually found a few that peeked my interest, ...

summerof42

Looking to move from the Midwest in 2021 for much anticipated retirement since I can’t tolerate the winter or cold. Made a few a few trips to Scottsdale where I have a few friends, but. . . Cost of real estate is crazy there. Considering Anthem and saw a great condo complex on line and incredible ou...

summerof42

Hoops. . . agree. I would love to move to California which is actually where my oldest son lives (San Diego) and fell in love with it a couple of years back, BUT I got sticker shock! My average (1,500 sq ft) 3-bedroom brick home I presently own in the Midwest would be in the millions out there. Pers...

summerof42

Would greatly appreciate your input and honest input. I'm looking to retire someplace warm since I do not tolerate the cold. I have friends in Florida (Tampa, Sarasota, etc) and ditto for Arizona (Scottsdale) and no need to worry about leaving family here. I've gone over pros and cons for months and...

summerof42

Hello Bogelheads! Upon retirement in one year, I would like to take my funds from both 401k's and an annuity (mid five figures and earning 3% fixed) into one balanced. . . let it ride, make it easy on myself retirement without having to do any rebalancing, just monthly widthdraws. I am considering o...

summerof42

To OP:

Would love to know where you’re getting 3% and 4% interest rate on checking account? Can you share with the class?

My emergency fund ($23k) is in MM at Vanguard which is earning next to nothing.

I can’t afford risk and would love a better alternative. Thx!

summerof42

I bought a great rectangular sensor light at Lowe’s for around $24. Best part, no batteries or screwdriver needed! Has high lumens for brightness and you recharge it with the enclosed cord similar to a cell phone, and it comes with very nice stickies pads which you apply and “whalla” and put up wher...

summerof42

Don’t have Amazon either.

summerof42

Since I don’t have Netflix, Hulu, etc. I can’t steam and will need to download; not my first choice.

summerof42

Thanks spdoublebass. It’s the spreadsheet here I’m nervous about downloading on my computer. When I went thru the steps it indicated it’s a large file, so I stopped the process.

One has to be very careful what your downloading today!

summerof42

It would be used to browse the net, check email, and download movies via ITunes since I don’t have a smart TV, Roku, Netflix, etc. No game playing, well maybe solitaire; senior here 😊 I’m not sure how much GB is truly needed. Can I get by with 64GB, or do I need to go up to 256GB in order to downloa...

summerof42

How does one know or determine their bend points? I’m leery about downloading a file off the net. Search the forum for bend points. It's not that hard to figure out when you read up on it a bit. You don't have to download stuff if you don't want to. But it's nice to get the income info off of the w...

summerof42

How does one know or determine their bend points?

I’m leery about downloading a file off the net.

summerof42

PS. I checked again at 8:54pm and still down 0.47%. I’m using app on phone which has up to date by the min tracking.

But I’ll check again in the morning, I’m sure sycamore is right.

summerof42

Instead of adding 10% mid cap, you could just swap your voo for schk to get midcap exposure. No can do, I’m limited what’s available in 401k’s. But thanks for the suggestion, always appreciate it. However, I could change my funds in tIRA and Roth at Vanguard; albeit, I’m in target date funds and it...

summerof42

I see as of 5:26pm S&P 500 is up +27.53, yet VG 500 is down -1.45. What gives? I know it's minute. . . but

Wishing I had a small percentage of Mid-Cap in my portfolio, looks to be up 1.26 today. May not be a bad idea to add VIMAX (10%) to my stock allocation of my portfolio.

summerof42

Thanks Stinky, all good stuff. Since the ER (0.04%) is the same at previous employers' 401k as Vanguard, I guess I'll just let it ride. :happy I'm still trying to decide on whether to hold just one fund in each 401k account - roll VBTLX into VFIAX at previous employer's 401k and all in stocks, and t...

summerof42

jimkinny wrote: ↑Fri Sep 25, 2020 11:07 am Consider rolling the previous employer's 401 to a TIRA at Vanguard or anywhere else that has very low ER/fees

Please read my latest response to Stinky

summerof42

Hi Stinky,

Rolling 401ks into Vanguard would be a mistake from a protection standpoint. 401k's are protected from bankruptcy and lawsuits, etc.

summerof42

@snailderby and retired@50 - thank you in advance for your response and my apologies for not being more clear. It's early in the morning, should have had my cup of coffee first. @snailderby - yes, I am looking at the prospectus as we speak, and it clearly shows ER 0.235. My question and thought proc...

summerof42

I am presently invested in the funds listed below within my 401k from previous and also current employer. My desired allocation is 60/40 Stocks/Bonds at age 65. Other funds include Roth at Vanguard in Target fund and ditto for tIRA also at Vanguard. In addition a 9 month emergency fund in MM at Vang...

summerof42

This was such a great annuity 101 for me today! Thank you to all who responded

summerof42

Thanks HomerJ, for providing a very clear explanation. You are spot on! Should I decide to annuitize my current policy, since I don't weather fluctuations in the market (hence the annuity in 2009, I think the way to go is definitely SPIA. We shall see how things look in 2021 or 2022. But for now, I'...

summerof42

@Stinky - love the user name. . . too cute! “Stinky” - a takeoff on my last name, and my lifelong nickname. It's funny how we get those nicknames. I'm female, parents came to the US after the war and barely spoke English, and for some reason I got the nickname "Ration." Makes no sense at ...

summerof42

The payout rate, starting when you annuitize, could depend upon several things, and certainly upon one thing: Your age. For a given amount accumulated, it shouldn't be a surpriase that a monthly payout "for the rest of your life" would be higher for someone 80 than for someone 65. In othe...

summerof42

@Stinky - love the user name. . . too cute! Yes, Modern Woodmen of America is a very old, trusting and solid company. I'm worried now again , read my newest post and his response. Even though I'm locked in, guaranteed at 3%, now he's telling me, if/when I annuitize I'm not guaranteed the rate for li...

summerof42

@ResearchMed - please refer to third post which provides this information.

summerof42

@Rex66 - so, so grateful for your input! Stories changing as we go along and I requested the information as you instructed, here's his response: "Let me clear that up. Your 3% will not change. I meant the payout rate on an Immediate annuity, if you chose to take lifetime income. If those rates ...

summerof42

@Fabdog - thanks for input. I tried calling the company and they said I would need to speak to the rep and couldn't help. I'm looking over the contract now and I don't see a thing about the possibility of a rate change, or a rider whatsoever, so I will ask him to send the info over if it exists; hop...

summerof42

@Rex66 and Fabdog - Whew. . . thanks, I got nervous there for a minute. So glad I have the wonderful folks on this forum to guide people like me who are clueless when it comes to these issues. Just wondering how I approach it. I'm almost certain he will try to tell me I'm wrong. Do I tell him I talk...

summerof42

@Rex66 - yes, it specifically states it's guaranteed. Here's how the contract reads: Guaranteed: "3.00% interest rate." Nonguaranteed: "Nonguaranteed base interest rate of 3.00%. The base rate is not guaranteed and is subject to change. The base rate will not be less than the guarante...

summerof42

I currently hold a Flexible Premium Deferred Annuity with Modern Woodmen of America, which I purchased in 2009 with a fixed rate of 3%. Please note I have NOT annuitized as of yet and was planning on doing so within the next year or two, depending how market looks. If things still look uncertain/bad...

summerof42

@rkhusky - yes, my other funds are in two 401ks held in VTSAX, VFIAX, VBTLX, FXNAX and also a tIRA at Vanguard in the target 2025. In addition, I have a small flexible premium deferred annuity which is fixed at 3% which I consider as part of my bonds. I have not annuitized as of yet and will make a ...

summerof42

@Retired@50 - thanks for your great input, much appreciate it. The reason for my inquiry as of Jan '20 is manly due to the crazy market we experienced these last few months and gives me somewhat of an idea if my current fund choice is the best; particularly moving forward.

summerof42

Thank you in advance for your input and answer to my question. My Roth IRA is presently invested in VTWNX. At 65.5 years young, I'm presently 60/40. Since Jan '20, would I have faired better if I had been invested in VG Total Bond or VG 500? As much as I'm risk adverse, I am willing to stray a tiny ...

summerof42

Now maybe yours is an actual 3% fixed return. Can you cash out all the money? I mean, if you invested $100,000, 11 years later, can you cash out the full $138,423? @HomerJ - thanks for your input, greatly appreciate it. Yes, I can cash out all my money invested, plus interest made since 2009. If I ...

summerof42

I feel all annuity investing is a mistake. [ quote fixed by admin LadyGeek] @Nix4me - can you explain why? **please read my post** I haven't annuitized yet, I'm earning 3% fixed. Long story short, if I annuitized in a year or two, I will receive a fixed amount each month, similar to SS without havi...

summerof42

@sailaway and Gill - I agree with your parents and trying hard to understand why Bogelheader's are so against them. As an example, in 2009 I rolled a small 401k account into a Flexible Premium Deferred Annuity which is fixed at 3% (can never go lower) guaranteed with Modern Woodmen of America, a non...

summerof42

In reviewing my stock options and performance within my 401k, I am presently invested 50/50 (Vanguard 500 Index & Fidelity US Bond) but I noticed the performance fares better for the T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth. Am I making the best stock fund choice and should I make the switch? https://i.po...

summerof42

@anon_investor, you are indeed correct.

Nice chatting with everyone. Be well and safe out there.

summerof42

Thanks to all for your replies. My apologies, you're correct, I should have waited to market close before posting my question. . . my bad. However, even in light of market close, question remains the same.

S&P 500 up +0.27%
Vanguard S&P down -0.03%

summerof42

I know this is a silly question, and more than likely rhetorical, but If S&P 500 is up at 0.35%, why is it my Vanguard 500 VFIAX is down at 0.03%?

Is this due in part to S&P 500 holding different funds than my fund at Vanguard? Maybe is time to switch over to ETF.

summerof42

@oblivousinvestor - thank you kindly for the very clear and precise reply. In spite of having to take the long road to get there, mainly due to my misunderstanding, I appreciated your help. I give you 5 stars! SS filing can be as confusing as Medicare and they make it so complicated. Have a great we...

summerof42

It's all so confusing after reading your reply, and yet the question is so simple. Per your link, it states, " monthly benefit will be reduced if the insured person chooses to receive old-age benefits before reaching full retirement age. If so, your benefit will be reduced to the amount the ins...

summerof42

@obliviousinvestor - I posted my question on another site which was kindly answered, but I appreciate your offer. I learned the amount I would receive as survivor benefits is the amount he received when he claimed at 62. My question centered around the possibility of claiming the FRA amount he would...

summerof42

Wouldn't it then make more sense to say, " you indicated spousal, but I believe you mean survivor benefits." Not to mention, member took the time to post a confusing reply, but no answer to my question and reason for post. Why reply at all. I'm just saying. I do appreciate your clarity.

summerof42

I qualify for my ex-husband's SS benefit in the unfortunate event he should pass away. I am still working but he retired several years. As I look at my sad SS statement it's not pretty given I was a stay-at-home Mom for 12 years, so his benefit is substantially more than my own. My question being, ...

summerof42

@JoeRetire - subjects states "SS Experts." At the risk of being sincere, and I'm sure you were trying to be helpful, it looks like you needed to pass on this one in lieu posting a reply with incorrect information. It's very common knowledge a spouse, including an ex-spouse (if married 10+ ...

summerof42

@123 - thanks for answering my question, appreciate it.

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