Recent content by Whisper66

To illustrate Al18's comment about stock volatility, see Table B1 of the following link... https://irp.cdn-website.com/6b78c197/files/uploaded/(B)%20Fine%20Tuning%20Tables%20(50-50)%20-%202023%20Returns.pdf If you look at the history of the S&P 500 (right most column), it has dropped as much...

FWIW - our Fed effective tax rate was 22% with 85% of our "income" coming from IRA required distributions and conversions.

2023 rate of return = +22.8%. Asset allocation was generally in my target range of 75% equity / 25% fixed assets. My general philosophy in retirement now is to invest in a minimum number of broad based, low cost index funds...invest and forget it. However, got itchy at low prices for AMZN and...

Given that you feel you cannot trust anyone, maybe just put the challenge in the hands of the beneficiary you wish to receive your assets? Contact the Doctors without Borders Director of Philantrophy (https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/get-involved/ways-to-give/planned-giving ). Explain your...

My Mom and Dad made no Roth conversions in their lifetime. They were content paying as little in taxes each year as they legally could and just didn't give it much thought. In the final couple years of Dad's life, I was involved in doing his taxes. His income from a pension plus investment...

From your numbers, I agree your plan to retire at 65 will be successful. In fact, if I look at Firecalc, it suggests you could spend roughly $190k in retirement (vs plan of $127k) and still have 95% success. So the only point that confuses me is why NewRetirement would calculate a success rate...

+12.4% YTD thru end of 3Q on a 75% equities 25% fixed portfolio

The long term stock price of XOM is strongly related to the price of crude. I'll attach a 10 yr plot if I can figure out how. A purchase of XOM in the last few years (2019-2022)at $70/shr was during a period that XOM $/shr was relatively low in relation to the value of crude oil. Since late...

One optimization you might consider if your dividends exceed your immediate needs..... I am at Vanguard and the dividends from my taxable account roll into my settlement fund where they stay until I need them to replenish my bank checking account. The default Vanguard settlement account is the...

Yes, I believe you may be paying more taxes than you really need to. Here's what I've settled on which I think is pretty standard.... (1) Dividends from taxable account are used for living expenses (15% tax on dividends unless come from muni funds whose dividends are not taxed). To fill need for...

15.7% on what is currently a 75% equity / 25% fixed asset allocation. My 2023 target is 70/30 but I see it's drifted due to a good market and my ever decreasing interest in monitoring finances. Have read as we get older, our interest and / or ability to manage our finances often decreases. I can...

I don't use it, but it looks like Vanguard provides an automatic withdrawal plan. "Automatic Withdrawal Plan (AWP). Withdraw funds on a regular basis. Redeem shares from your Vanguard fund account and have the proceeds transferred to your bank account on a regular basis. This service is ideal...

Not sure why it's a problem but I'll comment to add some perspective. While I'm personally a very happy, very long time Vanguard customer, the business numbers suggest to me that all three companies (VG, Fidelity, Schwab) are good choices for many folks and that VG continues to get a good share...

That’s one way but not the way I’d do it. You are moving presumably for improved customer service. I’d just call Fidelity and give them the information they needed to move assets in kind that I wanted moved. Then sell the vanguard items from within the Fidelity account when you wish. That’s how...