I worked in a college's development office and was tasked with tracking the evolution of OBBBA as "the sausage was being made." The original Senate version of the legislation treated the charitable deduction as an "above-the-line" deduction, thus reducing AGI, but the House version treated it as a below-the-line deduction, like the senior deduction, so it didn't affect AGI. The final passage of OBBA included the House's version. This is the interpretation that was presented to us.." However, this new deduction is somewhat unusual: it is widely described as “above the line”, but under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act it does not reduce AGI itself; it reduces taxable income after AGI is calculated, functioning like a universal charitable deduction layered on top of the standard deduction."
I have about 25% of my bond holdings in BlackRock iShares iBond Target-Maturity TIPS ETF as a 10-year rolling bond ladder. It is in my Roth IRA, and I view that as an "inflation-adjusted annuity" to supplement my SS benefits that I will start to receive in November at age 70.
I can confirm Bill P.'s experience. I have the IRS Direct Pay link "bookmarked" on my computer and just posted my 3/4 estimated payment today via EFT from my bank account without needing a login credential. I have been doing so for at least the past 8 years. Bill M.
You stated... "Leave it (Roth) as inherited and they have to start pulling money out once the deceased spouse would have reached RMD age". My mother has an "inherited" Roth IRA from my father, who passed away at age 91. I have been drawing down those funds to pay for her long term care expenses, instead using her own Roth IRA. My question is, should I be following the Single Life Expectancy Table for my 95 year-old mother to be in compliance with IRA regulations? Thanks.
Welcome to the Repatha Club. Even with commercial insurance, it can be pricey. Make sure you go to the Repatha website to get their copay card. When I started, it was $5/month (two doses), but now I believe it is $25. You will never have it so good. Once you get on Medicare (as I am for the past 2+ years), plan on paying the maximum annual $ permitted under the Plan D catastrophic limit ($2,100 this year). FDA has recently approved a pill form of the compound (by Merck), so we can all look forward to no more twice-a-month thigh jabs. Hope your LDL's plummet as mine have, and keep doing what you can control.... a healthy lifestyle.
Bill P. , You note..."Our purpose of the TIPS in the Roth is a guaranteed, inflation-protected income stream for the surviving spouse when either my spouse or I dies." My spouse and I are doing the same within our Roth accounts. Might I ask how you set your TIPS up.... A rolling ladder? A collapsing ladder? Time period?Thanks,Bill M.
That will be interesting for someone who has a Treasury Direct personal account, an account in their business name, and an account owned by their trust.
So, based on your response to what I shared, I shouldn't even receive an invoice from Medicare for Oct.- Dec. On my SSA account webpage, it states that my application has been approved, but I will not receive a letter until closer to my claiming month.
There is are the iShares iBonds Defined Maturity TIPS ETFs that have allowed us to easily build a 10-year rolling TIPS ladder (currently offering IBIC through IBIM) that we plan to use to supplement our SS benefits. It makes up 25% of our bond sleeve and are in our tax deferred accounts.
As I prepare to begin withdrawals to meet my RMD requirements in about three years, I have turned off the "reinvest dividends and capital gains" and now have those flowing into my Fidelity core cash account. In about a year I will have those available for QCD's, if I choose, or continue to allow that cash account to accumulate from which I will take my RMDs (for expenses or QCDs). For me, it provides psychological comfort knowing I will not need to decide what assets to sell to meet my annual RMDs.
Comments
I worked in a college's development office and was tasked with tracking the evolution of OBBBA as "the sausage was being made." The original Senate version of the legislation treated the charitable deduction as an "above-the-line" deduction, thus reducing AGI, but the House version treated it as a below-the-line deduction, like the senior deduction, so it didn't affect AGI. The final passage of OBBA included the House's version. This is the interpretation that was presented to us.." However, this new deduction is somewhat unusual: it is widely described as “above the line”, but under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act it does not reduce AGI itself; it reduces taxable income after AGI is calculated, functioning like a universal charitable deduction layered on top of the standard deduction."
Post: Does the new-for-2026 $1000/$2000 charitable deduction for non-itemizers reduce AGI?
Link to comment from September 22, 2026
I have about 25% of my bond holdings in BlackRock iShares iBond Target-Maturity TIPS ETF as a 10-year rolling bond ladder. It is in my Roth IRA, and I view that as an "inflation-adjusted annuity" to supplement my SS benefits that I will start to receive in November at age 70.
Post: Target Maturity Bond Funds
Link to comment from September 20, 2026
I can confirm Bill P.'s experience. I have the IRS Direct Pay link "bookmarked" on my computer and just posted my 3/4 estimated payment today via EFT from my bank account without needing a login credential. I have been doing so for at least the past 8 years. Bill M.
Post: What to do about the new ID.me login requirement at TreasuryDirect
Link to comment from September 14, 2026
You stated... "Leave it (Roth) as inherited and they have to start pulling money out once the deceased spouse would have reached RMD age". My mother has an "inherited" Roth IRA from my father, who passed away at age 91. I have been drawing down those funds to pay for her long term care expenses, instead using her own Roth IRA. My question is, should I be following the Single Life Expectancy Table for my 95 year-old mother to be in compliance with IRA regulations? Thanks.
Post: Widow’s IRA Choice
Link to comment from September 14, 2026
Welcome to the Repatha Club. Even with commercial insurance, it can be pricey. Make sure you go to the Repatha website to get their copay card. When I started, it was $5/month (two doses), but now I believe it is $25. You will never have it so good. Once you get on Medicare (as I am for the past 2+ years), plan on paying the maximum annual $ permitted under the Plan D catastrophic limit ($2,100 this year). FDA has recently approved a pill form of the compound (by Merck), so we can all look forward to no more twice-a-month thigh jabs. Hope your LDL's plummet as mine have, and keep doing what you can control.... a healthy lifestyle.
Post: On Being a “Healthy” Person
Link to comment from September 8, 2026
Bill P. , You note..."Our purpose of the TIPS in the Roth is a guaranteed, inflation-protected income stream for the surviving spouse when either my spouse or I dies." My spouse and I are doing the same within our Roth accounts. Might I ask how you set your TIPS up.... A rolling ladder? A collapsing ladder? Time period? Thanks, Bill M.
Post: Traditional or Roth
Link to comment from September 1, 2026
That will be interesting for someone who has a Treasury Direct personal account, an account in their business name, and an account owned by their trust.
Post: TreasuryDirect changing login procedure to mandate ID.me later in 2026
Link to comment from August 15, 2026
So, based on your response to what I shared, I shouldn't even receive an invoice from Medicare for Oct.- Dec. On my SSA account webpage, it states that my application has been approved, but I will not receive a letter until closer to my claiming month.
Post: Preparing for SS at Age 70….. How Do I Transition to Monthly Part B Premium Deduction?
Link to comment from August 15, 2026
There is are the iShares iBonds Defined Maturity TIPS ETFs that have allowed us to easily build a 10-year rolling TIPS ladder (currently offering IBIC through IBIM) that we plan to use to supplement our SS benefits. It makes up 25% of our bond sleeve and are in our tax deferred accounts.
Post: Better Alternatives to Buying an Annuity
Link to comment from June 10, 2026
As I prepare to begin withdrawals to meet my RMD requirements in about three years, I have turned off the "reinvest dividends and capital gains" and now have those flowing into my Fidelity core cash account. In about a year I will have those available for QCD's, if I choose, or continue to allow that cash account to accumulate from which I will take my RMDs (for expenses or QCDs). For me, it provides psychological comfort knowing I will not need to decide what assets to sell to meet my annual RMDs.
Post: Slow on the Draw
Link to comment from May 9, 2026