Recent content by ScaredtoQuit

SS at 70 I finally started collecting my SS at the age of 70 last March. And boy was it worth it! My gross benefit is now more than $4,600 per month! And with no deductions for FICA, state or city income taxes, I don't mind a 22% deduction for FIT which actually is only on 85% of that amount...

Down 10.05% as of 9/30. Portfolio consists of Individual Dividend Stocks-69%, Equity Funds-3%, Individual Bonds, Preferred stocks and a little cash - 28%. Best thing about this approach is that even though I've lost principal, my portfolio keeps kicking out cash (currently 4.56%)

Thank you! That's what I thought it was but I had to make double sure before accepting additional income of only $3,000. The surcharge when added to the taxes would make my net take-home on that little windfall close to zero.

But are they comparing my 2021 income of 174K (or maybe 177K) to the $182K cut-off (or some future amount determined next year) or the $176K cut-off set in 2021?

I'm confused by the language describing the IRMAA cut-offs. I understand that if my wife and I go over the $176K cut-off in 2021, that we will pay a surcharge on our 2023 medicare premium. But is the comparison made to my 2021 income or my 2019 income? i.e. if my income in 2021 exceeds 176K...

How is this possible? My mind can't even comprehend how you could get yourself into such a jam. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/im-58-no-retirement-savings-143318388.html

I'm up 22.64% on a portfolio of dividend stocks, preferred stocks and individual bonds. No complaints here!!! :dance:

You're right!! Hopefully, my comment will end up being a minor distraction.

2019 is turning out to be my best year ever! I attribute most of this to the shift in market preferences from growth stocks to value stocks which I have noticed taking place all year long. I am heavily invested in dividend stocks (which are mostly considered value) and individual bonds. My...

An important question about your claim... Did you wait until you were full retirement age (which I presume would be 66 for you) before you started receiving spousal benefits?? If you didn't, the benefits you've been receiving over the past umpteen years might have actually come from your own...

Down 2.1% on my portfolio of dividend stocks and individual bonds. I've been down at least 3 to 4% almost the entire year, including the period when Bogleheads were cheering a 10% total return. The good news is that my projected dividend and interest income increased by 7%!! Would have broke...

Did that wrong. Meant to include the quote about Warren Buffett liking Becky Quick.

I don't think it's so much that he like Becky... it's that he hates Joe Kernan. Or at least that's the way I interpret it! (Maybe because I hate him too??)

I was aware that she would only get my benefit at age 66, but I hadn't thought about the age 62 penalty. Does that mean she would get 80% of 1/2 of my benefit? Thanks so much for your fast response!!

I am currently 66 and I am collecting spousal benefits from my wife's social security account. When I turn 70, I will switch over to collect an augmented benefit from my own account. At that point, can my wife switch over and collect spousal benefits from my account? I seem to remember there...