When taking your RMD, you can keep your existing ETF or mutual fund and move it from your retirement account into a taxable account. You do not have to sell and buy.
The problem with investing in the market is you don’t know if it will go up even higher. The S & P had 57 all time highs in 2024 alone. This could continue for years
If he had 20% returns they would be published, just like if Trump was a great student he would proudly display his grades. Anyone can say they do great, but when they refuse to document it, beware.
We moved from Massachusetts to Florida for my work in the 1990’s. Raised our kids there. Became snowbirds in 2011 and went back and forth to Massachusetts. Started spending more time in Mass and sold Florida property when covid hit. Didn’t like their covid denial as well as increased costs and congestion. Haven’t been back since. Auto and home insurance prices are cheaper in Mass than Florida (auto insurance was half the cost, surprisingly), especially since the condo collapse and bigger storms. The heat and humidity in Florida from early May to October is horrible, and congestion during ‘season’ is bad. 2 of 4 kids live in Mass and we started missing the change in seasons, so that was another reason we came back. We thought of getting a place on the Cape, but having gone there a lot when younger, did not want to deal with the traffic and congestion in the summer (similar to Florida in season). So we bought a house on a Lake here and don’t feel the need to do the cape scene. We did become Mass residents again and there will be a Mass estate tax which we didn't have in Florida, but we feel it is worth it. We like it so much better here for many reasons. We enjoyed Florida when we were there, but after 29 years there the novelty wore off. Winters here though are not the greatest, and being a snowbird somewhere other than Florida has some appeal.
There are always stories of family squabbles over inherited money, which is why experts say to put it all in writing. Leave nothing to chance. You never know what will happen, especially if someone remarries. We created 2 revocable trusts, one for me and one for my wife, mainly for tax reduction purposes when we pass. Our 4 kids will get equal shares of the assets, and the only requirement is that they either sell our house or one of them buy it within a certain time frame (which will not happen because it would take a big chunk of their inheritance to buy it). There are no stipulations as to how they spend it. They and their spouses work and are responsible, so they can use this money however they please. We gift money to them now, when their need is greater than when their kids are grown and out of the house. Home prices and children daycare costs are very expensive, and they need the money more now than when their kids are grown and out of the house.
I think the 100% replacement question depends on certain factors. If one is only making ends meet while working, upon retiring they may need the same amount of income. The question is, if they are just making ends meet, will they have much saved for retirement. Most do not have pensions now so SS may be their only income, along with savings if any exist. Getting 100% of working income is great and not too many would say they do not want that if they could get it. But those making more money than they need while working might not need that same level of income when retired. Unless they want to live very high on the hog, as they say. In which case, they probably have the investments to do that. Retirees will have no retirement plan contributions, SS and Medicare contributions from income, etc. Some may have paid off mortgages, won’t have commuting and parking expenses, dry cleaning bills, and so on. The high earner, unless they spent all their earnings and did not save, should not need 100% of working income to get by. My wife was a stay at home mom with 4 kids. Quit work after the 2nd one came. We were fortunate that I worked in a sales related field where income varied every year, but it paid well. We have no pensions, and our retirement income comes from SS and our investments. Our expenses are not anywhere near what my income was when working, so 100% of my income is not needed. So the question of what percent of income does one needs depends on many factors, and is a good question for all to look into when doing retirement planning.
Comments
A good reason to impose term limits
Post: 2024 Update to the OASDI Beneficiaries by State and County
Link to comment from August 30, 2025
Nope. That’s why those reporting numbers this administration doesn’t like get fired
Post: 2024 Update to the OASDI Beneficiaries by State and County
Link to comment from August 30, 2025
When taking your RMD, you can keep your existing ETF or mutual fund and move it from your retirement account into a taxable account. You do not have to sell and buy.
Post: Why Money is Taking Up More Space in My Mind Lately
Link to comment from August 23, 2025
The problem with investing in the market is you don’t know if it will go up even higher. The S & P had 57 all time highs in 2024 alone. This could continue for years
Post: Why Money is Taking Up More Space in My Mind Lately
Link to comment from August 23, 2025
If he had 20% returns they would be published, just like if Trump was a great student he would proudly display his grades. Anyone can say they do great, but when they refuse to document it, beware.
Post: How to Beat the Market
Link to comment from August 23, 2025
I wouldn’t touch anything with Trump’s name on it, based on his track record
Post: Trump Accounts: A Deep Dive into Kids’ Savings
Link to comment from August 23, 2025
We moved from Massachusetts to Florida for my work in the 1990’s. Raised our kids there. Became snowbirds in 2011 and went back and forth to Massachusetts. Started spending more time in Mass and sold Florida property when covid hit. Didn’t like their covid denial as well as increased costs and congestion. Haven’t been back since. Auto and home insurance prices are cheaper in Mass than Florida (auto insurance was half the cost, surprisingly), especially since the condo collapse and bigger storms. The heat and humidity in Florida from early May to October is horrible, and congestion during ‘season’ is bad. 2 of 4 kids live in Mass and we started missing the change in seasons, so that was another reason we came back. We thought of getting a place on the Cape, but having gone there a lot when younger, did not want to deal with the traffic and congestion in the summer (similar to Florida in season). So we bought a house on a Lake here and don’t feel the need to do the cape scene. We did become Mass residents again and there will be a Mass estate tax which we didn't have in Florida, but we feel it is worth it. We like it so much better here for many reasons. We enjoyed Florida when we were there, but after 29 years there the novelty wore off. Winters here though are not the greatest, and being a snowbird somewhere other than Florida has some appeal.
Post: Let’s revisit the pros and cons of relocating upon retirement
Link to comment from August 2, 2025
We use AARP’s United Healthcare plan N. So far we’ve had no problems with them
Post: Seeking Input on Medicare Supplement Carriers
Link to comment from August 2, 2025
There are always stories of family squabbles over inherited money, which is why experts say to put it all in writing. Leave nothing to chance. You never know what will happen, especially if someone remarries. We created 2 revocable trusts, one for me and one for my wife, mainly for tax reduction purposes when we pass. Our 4 kids will get equal shares of the assets, and the only requirement is that they either sell our house or one of them buy it within a certain time frame (which will not happen because it would take a big chunk of their inheritance to buy it). There are no stipulations as to how they spend it. They and their spouses work and are responsible, so they can use this money however they please. We gift money to them now, when their need is greater than when their kids are grown and out of the house. Home prices and children daycare costs are very expensive, and they need the money more now than when their kids are grown and out of the house.
Post: Letting Go
Link to comment from July 27, 2025
I think the 100% replacement question depends on certain factors. If one is only making ends meet while working, upon retiring they may need the same amount of income. The question is, if they are just making ends meet, will they have much saved for retirement. Most do not have pensions now so SS may be their only income, along with savings if any exist. Getting 100% of working income is great and not too many would say they do not want that if they could get it. But those making more money than they need while working might not need that same level of income when retired. Unless they want to live very high on the hog, as they say. In which case, they probably have the investments to do that. Retirees will have no retirement plan contributions, SS and Medicare contributions from income, etc. Some may have paid off mortgages, won’t have commuting and parking expenses, dry cleaning bills, and so on. The high earner, unless they spent all their earnings and did not save, should not need 100% of working income to get by. My wife was a stay at home mom with 4 kids. Quit work after the 2nd one came. We were fortunate that I worked in a sales related field where income varied every year, but it paid well. We have no pensions, and our retirement income comes from SS and our investments. Our expenses are not anywhere near what my income was when working, so 100% of my income is not needed. So the question of what percent of income does one needs depends on many factors, and is a good question for all to look into when doing retirement planning.
Post: 100% Base Pay Replacement: What Does It Mean?
Link to comment from July 26, 2025