About any LONG TERM periods in the stock market.For some though, they're up in their years, they're taking sequence of risk return into consideration. They might not have the long-term that you have to recover from the way the markets have been recently. I recently went from 65/35 to 20/80. I held tight in '08-09 and during the pandemic. This time around to me is much more challenging, so being in my ladder 60s, you want to sleep well at night. Try to remember what Bill Bernstein says. When you've won the game, why keep playing. I have enough.
I can quite empathize with your last sentence. I come from a large family and remember having a conversation with my father about savings. He had mentioned to me that before one critiques another about their savings, walk in their shoes. It wasn't that they wouldn't want to have savings, it was first providing for their families the essentials. I know many people say that savings are essential, yet when you're trying to keep a roof over your family's head and shoes on their feet and something in their stomach, savings are the last thing on the list sometimes.
I tried that insurance price angle before and the medical provider always tells me that that was a negotiated price for a certain group. So how do I get that insurance rate Dick
Rick, I have a traditional pension with no COLA's.I mentioned recently I had reached FRA and was considering suspending my social security and using funds to bridge my social security to age 70. It guarantees
8% a year plus COLA's which would mean an additional 24% and additional COLA's to increase my social security. From what I've read, most retail investors can't get a guaranteed 8% a year. I'm about to pull the trigger and do it, knowing that this will help mitigate the inflation that has eaten into my non-COLA pension in the last few years.
Trying to follow your last paragraph about not using investments or cash to cover social security while you suspend social security.I've reached FRA recently and am considering suspending social security and using cash to cover the suspended social security benefit. Here's my reasoning, it's like buying a deferred annuity now and recouping it starting in 3 years. I will obtain an additional 24% plus COLA's added to the 24% starting in 3 years and this will continue for the rest of my life. That's guaranteed income, not a potential income from investing in the market. Read numerous pieces were typical retailer investor has a hard time making a guaranteed 8% a year. Would recoup the funds spent in approximately 8 years. Family has a long history of living. If I'm missing something I'd more than happy to hear you out.
From someone who stood on their feet for 30 plus years and had physical demanding work, the post retirement work does not interest me. I find enjoyment in just helping my neighbors or friends with small projects or just having conversations with them over a cup of coffee. What some people wouldn't call volunteering, I donate plasma and platelets on an average of twice if not three times a month at the local nonprofit blood bank. It takes an average of two to two and a half hours each time. Also had volunteered in an overnight program with my church for many years.As one of the frequent contributors here Dave Gartland(sp) mentioned a while back about volunteering is like paid work. You don't get a paycheck for it. Not that you should.Remember when my father volunteered to drive the coach at a retirement community where the CEO made $250,000 plus if not more, couldn't afford to pay someone to drive it. Bunco! Some of these volunteering opportunities actually take away paid work for someone. I understand one can have new experiences and opportunities. I realize many contributors here have the gifts and talents to continue providing their expertise and such in their related fields in volunteering, yet some of us are just tired of work and want to hang it up for an non-work/volunteer retirement. I finally been able to catch up on my skiing and traveling in retirement.
P.S Jonathan, reading and following your suggestions since you wrote at WSJ given my wife and I a comfortable start in retirement. Thank you
P.S. Jonathan followed you since you were at the WSJ. Following your columns and a few others have my wife and me a comfortable reti
I said I never go and see the NCAA men's basketball Final Four in a football stadium. In 2017 I had tickets to the NCAA Men's Final Four fall into my hands and my team was playing. My wife and I and my two brothers have been to four Final Fours' in the last 6 years. Don't always get great seats, yet it's a great four days.
Comments
About any LONG TERM periods in the stock market.For some though, they're up in their years, they're taking sequence of risk return into consideration. They might not have the long-term that you have to recover from the way the markets have been recently. I recently went from 65/35 to 20/80. I held tight in '08-09 and during the pandemic. This time around to me is much more challenging, so being in my ladder 60s, you want to sleep well at night. Try to remember what Bill Bernstein says. When you've won the game, why keep playing. I have enough.
Post: Ch-Ch-Changes?
Link to comment from May 6, 2025
Anyone want to consider starting a GoFundMe for the hot water tank for Elaine ? 😉
Post: Replacing the Replacement
Link to comment from March 6, 2025
I can quite empathize with your last sentence. I come from a large family and remember having a conversation with my father about savings. He had mentioned to me that before one critiques another about their savings, walk in their shoes. It wasn't that they wouldn't want to have savings, it was first providing for their families the essentials. I know many people say that savings are essential, yet when you're trying to keep a roof over your family's head and shoes on their feet and something in their stomach, savings are the last thing on the list sometimes.
Post: Why Don’t Folks Save?
Link to comment from February 16, 2025
I tried that insurance price angle before and the medical provider always tells me that that was a negotiated price for a certain group. So how do I get that insurance rate Dick
Post: Health care is always unaffordable – not really
Link to comment from February 12, 2025
Rick, I have a traditional pension with no COLA's.I mentioned recently I had reached FRA and was considering suspending my social security and using funds to bridge my social security to age 70. It guarantees 8% a year plus COLA's which would mean an additional 24% and additional COLA's to increase my social security. From what I've read, most retail investors can't get a guaranteed 8% a year. I'm about to pull the trigger and do it, knowing that this will help mitigate the inflation that has eaten into my non-COLA pension in the last few years.
Post: Missing That Paycheck
Link to comment from April 28, 2024
Trying to follow your last paragraph about not using investments or cash to cover social security while you suspend social security.I've reached FRA recently and am considering suspending social security and using cash to cover the suspended social security benefit. Here's my reasoning, it's like buying a deferred annuity now and recouping it starting in 3 years. I will obtain an additional 24% plus COLA's added to the 24% starting in 3 years and this will continue for the rest of my life. That's guaranteed income, not a potential income from investing in the market. Read numerous pieces were typical retailer investor has a hard time making a guaranteed 8% a year. Would recoup the funds spent in approximately 8 years. Family has a long history of living. If I'm missing something I'd more than happy to hear you out.
Post: Fully Committed
Link to comment from April 21, 2024
From someone who stood on their feet for 30 plus years and had physical demanding work, the post retirement work does not interest me. I find enjoyment in just helping my neighbors or friends with small projects or just having conversations with them over a cup of coffee. What some people wouldn't call volunteering, I donate plasma and platelets on an average of twice if not three times a month at the local nonprofit blood bank. It takes an average of two to two and a half hours each time. Also had volunteered in an overnight program with my church for many years.As one of the frequent contributors here Dave Gartland(sp) mentioned a while back about volunteering is like paid work. You don't get a paycheck for it. Not that you should.Remember when my father volunteered to drive the coach at a retirement community where the CEO made $250,000 plus if not more, couldn't afford to pay someone to drive it. Bunco! Some of these volunteering opportunities actually take away paid work for someone. I understand one can have new experiences and opportunities. I realize many contributors here have the gifts and talents to continue providing their expertise and such in their related fields in volunteering, yet some of us are just tired of work and want to hang it up for an non-work/volunteer retirement. I finally been able to catch up on my skiing and traveling in retirement. P.S Jonathan, reading and following your suggestions since you wrote at WSJ given my wife and I a comfortable start in retirement. Thank you
Post: Seven Reasons to Work
Link to comment from March 12, 2024
I said I never go and see the NCAA men's basketball Final Four in a football stadium. In 2017 I had tickets to the NCAA Men's Final Four fall into my hands and my team was playing. My wife and I and my two brothers have been to four Final Fours' in the last 6 years. Don't always get great seats, yet it's a great four days.
Post: Any Seat Will Do
Link to comment from August 4, 2023
I think that's part of so-called full employment program of the financial / retirement industry./ S
Post: Juggling for Retirees
Link to comment from January 21, 2023
If you ever do make it out to Pacific Northwest,one of the great national parks is Glacier national park. I definitely recommend a visit.
Post: Birthday Wishes
Link to comment from September 29, 2022