I think most of us have been through periods like this. It's called THE MARKET. I never made any adjustments in my portfolio for decades. And I'm glad I never did.
For all of us who have most of their retirement income in TIRAs, why all the fear about taking an RMD? Remember when they were drilling into us that the taxcuts were going to expire? What happened? seniors got more deductions. Sean Mullaney has some interest takes on this. We're saturated with Youtube videos by 30yr old "financial experts" telling us to do Roth conversions now and they know nothing about us and what the future holds for senior tax reduction benefits. As for me, I have been doing small conversions just to benefit my heirs. But my TIRA balance continues to grow each year and I am happy with that.
You don't want to be on your death bed wishing you did "this or that." I'm for spending more. As Augustus McCrae said, ‘It’s not dyin’ I’m talkin’ about, it’s livin’.”
You and your wife are in your 80s and it seems that what you are doing is working out good for you. If you feel it is sound and you are comfortable with it I would just keep your plan going forward.
Ben is correct. Call the office of your congressman. They have a staff person that will contact the IRS and solve this for you. I had an issue as the executor for my brother's estate. After completing and filing his last after death income taxes, he was entitled to a refund. Over a year went by and I never received the refund, even after calling the IRS numerous times. I contacted my congressman's office and gave my information to a staff person who works directly with the IRS. She called me a week later and said I should receive the refund in two weeks. And I did.
Right, I'm not near an IRMMA cliff but I'll bet no one is jumping up and giving "high fives" because they went over a cliff by a few bucks just because they were good savers. Is it a nuisance tax, yes. Is it a fair tax, I'm not sure. Why the cliff? Why punish good savers? Good savers in retirement = less retirees dependent on government. Imagine down the road they institute a tax on unrealized gains. Would they say we should be grateful because we "did well?"
Comments
I think most of us have been through periods like this. It's called THE MARKET. I never made any adjustments in my portfolio for decades. And I'm glad I never did.
Post: Any concern?
Link to comment from March 31, 2026
For all of us who have most of their retirement income in TIRAs, why all the fear about taking an RMD? Remember when they were drilling into us that the taxcuts were going to expire? What happened? seniors got more deductions. Sean Mullaney has some interest takes on this. We're saturated with Youtube videos by 30yr old "financial experts" telling us to do Roth conversions now and they know nothing about us and what the future holds for senior tax reduction benefits. As for me, I have been doing small conversions just to benefit my heirs. But my TIRA balance continues to grow each year and I am happy with that.
Post: Something to Think About
Link to comment from March 25, 2026
You don't want to be on your death bed wishing you did "this or that." I'm for spending more. As Augustus McCrae said, ‘It’s not dyin’ I’m talkin’ about, it’s livin’.”
Post: Forget the 4% rule.
Link to comment from March 6, 2026
You and your wife are in your 80s and it seems that what you are doing is working out good for you. If you feel it is sound and you are comfortable with it I would just keep your plan going forward.
Post: Critique my investment strategy or lack thereof
Link to comment from February 25, 2026
Gee, it must be a blast to hang around you at a party.
Post: If you have done well, be proud.
Link to comment from February 16, 2026
Ben is correct. Call the office of your congressman. They have a staff person that will contact the IRS and solve this for you. I had an issue as the executor for my brother's estate. After completing and filing his last after death income taxes, he was entitled to a refund. Over a year went by and I never received the refund, even after calling the IRS numerous times. I contacted my congressman's office and gave my information to a staff person who works directly with the IRS. She called me a week later and said I should receive the refund in two weeks. And I did.
Post: Banking problem
Link to comment from February 2, 2026
He should be using VUSXX, which for his state the dividends are tax exempt.
Post: RMDs, account withdrawals, 4% simplified- MAYBE?
Link to comment from January 13, 2026
Technically you're right, but it functions as a tax.
Post: Enough with IRMAA complaining
Link to comment from December 30, 2025
Right, I'm not near an IRMMA cliff but I'll bet no one is jumping up and giving "high fives" because they went over a cliff by a few bucks just because they were good savers. Is it a nuisance tax, yes. Is it a fair tax, I'm not sure. Why the cliff? Why punish good savers? Good savers in retirement = less retirees dependent on government. Imagine down the road they institute a tax on unrealized gains. Would they say we should be grateful because we "did well?"
Post: Enough with IRMAA complaining
Link to comment from December 30, 2025
I saw too many people tapping into their 401K balances during their working years.This slows growth drastically.
Post: The Benefits of 401(k)
Link to comment from December 20, 2025