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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...

Free lunch once a year at Christmas time!

My portfolio of dividend stocks and individual bonds returned only 6% last year at a time when the S&P provided a total return of over 20%. :facepalm: I had to think hard about my strategy and the almost $500K I passed up in order to pursue a so called "safe" yield. After some very difficult...

Actually, my wife and I are pretty healthy. I have been deducting medical expenses for some time because I have a lifetime long term care policy. The policy is costing me about $18K per year but the premiums stop in another two years as the original deal was 10 annual payments for a lifetime of...

Not nice. It is the policy of this Board to minimize political discord. My post is an honest attempt to solicit ideas for dealing with a pending tax increase.

Yes, I agree. But we'll probably know what's in it by next week. That only leaves about a week to act. Better to make plans NOW so that we can react in a very tight window of opportunity.

Unfortunately, the new tax bill will probably end up hiking taxes for people who itemize heavily and some people with large families. (due to the loss of exemptions) Especially vulnerable are those who make between $150K and about $400K. That includes me and I'm sure a large number of other...

Thanks so much for your guidance. I've been planning to do this for almost 10 years now. I actually consider myself very lucky to still be able to do it!! After all, if I had been born 665 days later, I'd have been out of luck!! :dance::dance::dance:

Here's another question if you don't mind! When should I apply to make sure I get my benefits as soon as possible?? My wife turns 66 in January and I turn 66 two months later in March.

I'm turning full retirement age in March 2018. I had anticipated that I would have to go into a SSA center in order to do this because I have read that a lot of agents don't know how to do a restricted filing. How hard was it to file online??

I'm up 4.57% on interest and dividends and another 9.53% in capital appreciation. Total return for 2016 = 14.1%. My portfolio consists of 72% individual stocks (mostly dividend payers), 22% individual bonds, and 6% preferred shares.