As long as the SS funding system is based on people having children and/or immigration it is doomed to eventual failure as the base of the pyramid can, and has, change(d) over time. To their credit, the Australians saw that as a fundamental flaw in the USA's SS system.
Faced with a similar problem I bought bonds in my taxable account and left it that way for many years. Finally, I wised up, took the one-year capital gains tax hit and exchanged all the bonds for a total stock index fund. In my Roth account I acquiesced to the fact I'd have to exchange into bonds to keep my AA at target. Eight months on, I'm glad I did it. Looking ahead at 2028, I'll be able to leave behind the IRMAA penalty I'd been shouldering for the last couple of years. My mantra now is, "No bonds in taxable unless no other choice!"
1st: Yes, probably. Don't know.
3rd: If your holdings are at Vanguard, the shift from a plain mutual fund to its identical twin ETF is done without tax consequence and it is easy to do. IMO, the biggest pitfall in switching from a plain mutual fund to its ETF twin is that you lose the ability to do an "exchange" transaction. Exchanges are sell-then-buy transactions that occur on the same day. ETFs, trading as stocks, require multiday sell-then-buy steps.
Comments
As long as the SS funding system is based on people having children and/or immigration it is doomed to eventual failure as the base of the pyramid can, and has, change(d) over time. To their credit, the Australians saw that as a fundamental flaw in the USA's SS system.
Post: Fixing Social Security once and for all
Link to comment from April 16, 2026
Faced with a similar problem I bought bonds in my taxable account and left it that way for many years. Finally, I wised up, took the one-year capital gains tax hit and exchanged all the bonds for a total stock index fund. In my Roth account I acquiesced to the fact I'd have to exchange into bonds to keep my AA at target. Eight months on, I'm glad I did it. Looking ahead at 2028, I'll be able to leave behind the IRMAA penalty I'd been shouldering for the last couple of years. My mantra now is, "No bonds in taxable unless no other choice!"
Post: Tax Efficiency
Link to comment from April 5, 2026
1st: Yes, probably. Don't know. 3rd: If your holdings are at Vanguard, the shift from a plain mutual fund to its identical twin ETF is done without tax consequence and it is easy to do. IMO, the biggest pitfall in switching from a plain mutual fund to its ETF twin is that you lose the ability to do an "exchange" transaction. Exchanges are sell-then-buy transactions that occur on the same day. ETFs, trading as stocks, require multiday sell-then-buy steps.
Post: Tax Efficiency
Link to comment from April 5, 2026
I think for the novice investor this is a very nice summation. Not perfect, but well outlined and timely. Thank you.
Post: Investment Versus Speculation
Link to comment from April 2, 2026
[head hanging in shame] I've violated the rules before. My $0.02 (to keep it financial) :)
Post: Forum Rules
Link to comment from March 31, 2026
Old? A small part of my youth was spent living in a house built in 1789. Is your new place single story?
Post: A Big Little Move (by Dana/DrLefty)
Link to comment from March 30, 2026
To your #7, the deduction is below-the-line and has no affect on AGI or MAGI.
Post: Debriefing
Link to comment from March 29, 2026
"...you can treat..." Wonder why they don't use the word "must", instead? To me, "can" = "may", making it a choice.
Post: Treasury Tax Reporting
Link to comment from March 29, 2026
Isn't the cash losing value to inflation? I'd use some of the cash to buy a total stock market index fund.
Post: Prepping to Pull the Trigger
Link to comment from March 29, 2026
Spock: "Computer!" Computer: "Ready" Spock: "Compute to the last digit the value of pi." Computer: [wailing sounds]
Post: Well That’s A Bummer!
Link to comment from March 18, 2026