i never received notice that vanguard removed our beneficiaries when they stopped them on joint accounts . i had no idea until the new box came up the other day when you log in and it said no beneficiaries listed . i am like what
??
that is what kicked off this thread .
anyway the etf conversion was completed today so i can finally say good bye to vanguard .[/ve QUOTE]
I mentioned this was also the scenario for us (2014) on my post #54. Not sure they notified anyone of this taxable account change (kind of one of those bad press decision things companies would rather downplay and bury in some related announcement). I did get them to reinstate beneficiaries on our joint taxable accounts with the TOD paperwork as mentioned on post #54 as well. I also mentioned that they remind us annually via email about verifying beneficiaries on post #100.
Not defending Vanguard's actions - just offering up our work around for the same scenario you experienced (for anyone here following this thread in the same Vanguard boat). If they should remove our ability to have TOD beneficiaries on our joint taxable accounts, we'll have to reconsider. We will be changing our taxable account selections to minimize taxable income over the next 4-5 years B/4 RMDs start - when wife is off ACA (early next year). Looking at Admiral vs. ETF, but would like to consolidate at Vanguard for simplicity. Wife has zero interest in managing investments and I'm also worried that as we age my/our cognitive ability will decline and we won't know it. Plans are in place, but simplicity is goal.