My parent did pay for a portion of his care- all of his monthly income including SS, Pension and RMD paid for his care, before Medicaid paid their portion to the NH. We were only utilizing government benefits to the extent allowed by the program. In my parent's case, his monthly obligation probably paid for about 75% of the actual NH billing. The SNT allowed us to provide additional resources to my parent such as a private room and additional agency help. I don't feel you should necessarily judge the use of a government program without fully knowing the details of the family situation- each one is quite different.
I don’t have experience with MAPT, but did use a Supplemental Needs Trust for an elderly parent that did end up on Medicaid in a nursing home setting, after several years in assisted living. The move to a nursing home was needed due to a higher need for nursing care. The SNT use was suggested by the family’s elder care attorney, and it worked out the way the attorney said it would to qualify for Medicaid. The SNT preserved the assets for the family members use, but they did not own the assets. Use of a SNT may not work for all families, but it did for us. The SNT was created upon the death of one parent who had the family assets in their name at their passing.
I wouldn’t be crazy about a big fallback, but it’s why I rebalance periodically according to my IPS. Pruning my gains helps reduce impacts from a correction when it happens, though it also mutes potential gains should markets continue to run up. I subscribe to the thought that “pigs get fat, but hogs get slaughtered”…
We’ve given the gifts with no strings attached. Looking back to myself at that age, I may not have wanted significant strings attached to similar gifts - though none were given. We’ve gifted appreciated stock (index ETFs), and have been told that the stock has not been cashed in. I believe owning these gifts give each child some measure of comfort knowing it’s there as a financial backstop if needed.
We have 2 responsible adult children that are both married. We started doing low 5 figure gifts to them annually because we felt it could be meaningful in some way at this life stage, but leave it to them on how they wish to use it. We also intend to make a much larger gift as well that could be more meaningful this year. None of these gifts will impact our retirement. We look at these gifts as a down payment on their inheritance, at a time when it may be more useful.
Dennis, your “timing loss” isn’t as great as you believe. There are carrying costs to owning a home which would erode your loss, as well as unexpected capital repairs that pop up, which in some cases can be quite costly. Timing the sale of a home for maximum gain can’t be done- much like the buying and selling of stocks. Generally both assets rise over time, but knowing exact exit points for them is unknown.
I would start a list of what makes you happy (i started my list a few years before retiring on my phone during my train commute). Put everything from hobbies to activities on it- be adventurous! Also travel you’d like to do. Surprisingly I forgot about my list after retiring (got too busy), but came across the list a few years ago when cleaning up my phone’s files and was surprised to see that I had completed or implemented many of the items I had put to the list. YMMV
This is actually a good idea. They helped me last year with a Treasury Direct transaction that was going nowhere after 6 months. I contacted my congressman’s office and the matter was resolved in 2-3 weeks.
Comments
My parent did pay for a portion of his care- all of his monthly income including SS, Pension and RMD paid for his care, before Medicaid paid their portion to the NH. We were only utilizing government benefits to the extent allowed by the program. In my parent's case, his monthly obligation probably paid for about 75% of the actual NH billing. The SNT allowed us to provide additional resources to my parent such as a private room and additional agency help. I don't feel you should necessarily judge the use of a government program without fully knowing the details of the family situation- each one is quite different.
Post: Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts (MAPTs)
Link to comment from March 19, 2026
I don’t have experience with MAPT, but did use a Supplemental Needs Trust for an elderly parent that did end up on Medicaid in a nursing home setting, after several years in assisted living. The move to a nursing home was needed due to a higher need for nursing care. The SNT use was suggested by the family’s elder care attorney, and it worked out the way the attorney said it would to qualify for Medicaid. The SNT preserved the assets for the family members use, but they did not own the assets. Use of a SNT may not work for all families, but it did for us. The SNT was created upon the death of one parent who had the family assets in their name at their passing.
Post: Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts (MAPTs)
Link to comment from March 18, 2026
I wouldn’t be crazy about a big fallback, but it’s why I rebalance periodically according to my IPS. Pruning my gains helps reduce impacts from a correction when it happens, though it also mutes potential gains should markets continue to run up. I subscribe to the thought that “pigs get fat, but hogs get slaughtered”…
Post: How Far Back Would a 40% Drop Take Us?
Link to comment from February 26, 2026
We’ve given the gifts with no strings attached. Looking back to myself at that age, I may not have wanted significant strings attached to similar gifts - though none were given. We’ve gifted appreciated stock (index ETFs), and have been told that the stock has not been cashed in. I believe owning these gifts give each child some measure of comfort knowing it’s there as a financial backstop if needed.
Post: Helping Adult Children
Link to comment from February 8, 2026
We have 2 responsible adult children that are both married. We started doing low 5 figure gifts to them annually because we felt it could be meaningful in some way at this life stage, but leave it to them on how they wish to use it. We also intend to make a much larger gift as well that could be more meaningful this year. None of these gifts will impact our retirement. We look at these gifts as a down payment on their inheritance, at a time when it may be more useful.
Post: Helping Adult Children
Link to comment from February 8, 2026
Dennis, your “timing loss” isn’t as great as you believe. There are carrying costs to owning a home which would erode your loss, as well as unexpected capital repairs that pop up, which in some cases can be quite costly. Timing the sale of a home for maximum gain can’t be done- much like the buying and selling of stocks. Generally both assets rise over time, but knowing exact exit points for them is unknown.
Post: Value of Waiting
Link to comment from February 8, 2026
Totally agree Dick. Good post!
Post: Carpe diem – especially in retirement
Link to comment from February 4, 2026
I would start a list of what makes you happy (i started my list a few years before retiring on my phone during my train commute). Put everything from hobbies to activities on it- be adventurous! Also travel you’d like to do. Surprisingly I forgot about my list after retiring (got too busy), but came across the list a few years ago when cleaning up my phone’s files and was surprised to see that I had completed or implemented many of the items I had put to the list. YMMV
Post: Carpe diem – especially in retirement
Link to comment from February 4, 2026
This is actually a good idea. They helped me last year with a Treasury Direct transaction that was going nowhere after 6 months. I contacted my congressman’s office and the matter was resolved in 2-3 weeks.
Post: Banking problem
Link to comment from February 2, 2026
I would suggest paying online in the future. Ive done so for over 10 years with no issues.
Post: Banking problem
Link to comment from February 2, 2026