No it's hard. We can't even get Congress together to eliminate the massive fraud in the SS and Medicare programs. Let's start with that first. It's the easiest first step.
There was an earlier post about talk involving retirees to take Tradition IRA withdraws at a fixed 12% tax rate. Imagine the chunk of tax revenue that would come out of this. What if we threw that tax money into the Security Trust Fund? It's a win - win for retirees with large TIRAs and SS.
My lifestyle never changed. It was easy to calculate to keep MAGI at the number you want. I did plan and saved up a good chunk of cash for the years before Medicare kicked in. At 62 we paid $7 for our Bronze plan, at 63 it was $19, 64 was $39. Never made an IRA or brokerage withdrawal. We took SS at our FRA.
When I retired at 62 before Medicare & SS I was able to keep my MAGI so low that I paid $7 monthly for a great Bronze plan. That $7 covered both wife and I. I never thought it was fair because I had over $2M in TIRAs, ROTH and Brokerage accounts, but I planned or it and didn't hesitate to take advantage of "the loophole."
The Automatic start-stop systems that they gave manufacturers incentives to install on vehicles was the most idiotic technology developed in motor vehicle history.
When I retired I started to get back into fly fishing. I didn't go overboard with high end equipment. But as the seasons went by I added to what I had with some better quality stuff. I guess I felt since I got better swinging the fly line, I should spend more on my hobby. Glad I did, when I'm in the water and fly fishing it's the most relaxing times I have.
Comments
No it's hard. We can't even get Congress together to eliminate the massive fraud in the SS and Medicare programs. Let's start with that first. It's the easiest first step.
Post: Fixing Social Security is not that hard, here’s how
Link to comment from June 15, 2026
There was an earlier post about talk involving retirees to take Tradition IRA withdraws at a fixed 12% tax rate. Imagine the chunk of tax revenue that would come out of this. What if we threw that tax money into the Security Trust Fund? It's a win - win for retirees with large TIRAs and SS.
Post: Just the facts about Social Security
Link to comment from June 12, 2026
I think he's the Nikola Tesla of our time. As a shareholder I support him 100%
Post: SpaceX IPO: Is Margin Optional?
Link to comment from June 5, 2026
Please explain.
Post: SpaceX IPO: Is Margin Optional?
Link to comment from June 4, 2026
What you did is called, "winning."
Post: There is no such thing as a tax loophole, but here they are anyway
Link to comment from May 18, 2026
My lifestyle never changed. It was easy to calculate to keep MAGI at the number you want. I did plan and saved up a good chunk of cash for the years before Medicare kicked in. At 62 we paid $7 for our Bronze plan, at 63 it was $19, 64 was $39. Never made an IRA or brokerage withdrawal. We took SS at our FRA.
Post: There is no such thing as a tax loophole, but here they are anyway
Link to comment from May 18, 2026
When I retired at 62 before Medicare & SS I was able to keep my MAGI so low that I paid $7 monthly for a great Bronze plan. That $7 covered both wife and I. I never thought it was fair because I had over $2M in TIRAs, ROTH and Brokerage accounts, but I planned or it and didn't hesitate to take advantage of "the loophole."
Post: There is no such thing as a tax loophole, but here they are anyway
Link to comment from May 18, 2026
The Automatic start-stop systems that they gave manufacturers incentives to install on vehicles was the most idiotic technology developed in motor vehicle history.
Post: HumbleDollar’s HumbleDrivers
Link to comment from May 13, 2026
When I retired I started to get back into fly fishing. I didn't go overboard with high end equipment. But as the seasons went by I added to what I had with some better quality stuff. I guess I felt since I got better swinging the fly line, I should spend more on my hobby. Glad I did, when I'm in the water and fly fishing it's the most relaxing times I have.
Post: Retirement Toys
Link to comment from May 4, 2026
Like many of us have said before - A personal financial course should be taught and mandatory in High School.
Post: Investing Fundamentals: A Simple Guide for Beginners
Link to comment from April 24, 2026