I rebalanced slightly (5%) down from 70% stocks to 35% bonds—policies not focused on supporting the middle class often results in decreased consumer spending and economic slowdowns (Keynes); plus it has been a very strong two year run in the markets.
“10 Suicidal Behavior and Ideation Suicidal behavior and ideation have been reported in clinical trials with other weight management products. Monitor patients treated with WEGOVY® for the emergence or worsening of depression, suicidal thoughts or behavior, and/or any unusual changes in mood or behavior. Discontinue WEGOVY® in patients who experience suicidal thoughts or behaviors. Avoid WEGOVY® in patients with a history of suicidal attempts or active suicidal ideation.” Product Insert. The way this usually works is that Wegovy had a class warning—a previous group of CB2 weight loss drugs blocked cannabis receptors and gave a “reverse-munchies” effect that caused weight loss. They also caused a reverse “high’ and were banned due to depression and suicide thoughts. There wasn’t much of this in the trials of the two new products and the FDA is usually reluctant to require additional warning until the science and risks are worked out, eg what are the risks in those with prior depression? Sounds like they need to get on this quickly.
Schoretsanitis G, Weiler S, Barbui C, Raschi E, Gastaldon C. Disproportionality Analysis From World Health Organization Data on Semaglutide, Liraglutide, and Suicidality. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(8):e2423385. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.23385 This post-marketing study showed a possible safety signal for a small, but increased risk for suicidality. This type of study can’t show causality, but does suggest that more safety studies be done.
It used to be thought that the brain’s neurons stopped proliferating in early adulthood, but it is fascinating that many activities stimulate neurogenesis in the aging brain in both the hippocampus and deep frontal lobes. Exercise, antidepressants, Viagra can stimulate neurogenesis. Several studies have shown that exercise like bicycling can stabilize hippocampal atrophy and memory in the aging brain compared to sham exercise like stretching. It is fascinating that exercise might help delay or prevent Alzheimer’s symptoms. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1934590923000024#:~:text=Adult%20hippocampal%20neurogenesis%20(AHN)%20drops,cognitive%20status%20in%20AD%20patients.
My approach has been to target retirement investment savings with S.S.that would replace my current income until age 100 with inflation and a 20% buffer in case of market crashes. To this I added $20K a year for travel and $20K for charity. The market has been kind and I’ve met my target.
Thank’s for the helpful review. Another aspect of this is that these funds can be pieced together for tax loss harvesting for taxable investments. The total US fund can be matched with the S&P 500 and the extended market fund to collect tax losses during downturns without leaving the market. I signed up for Vanguard’s automatic tax harvesting program—someday the market will duck and this will get used. A financial advisor and accountant should review individual situations to see if this is appropriate. Vanguard analysts summarize that this is most worthwhile if you invest the tax savings.
Rick: it would be helpful to compute future value for median and maximum SS payments at “full” retirement age of 66 compared to maximum payments at age 70 years. This would give us a better appreciation of the value of waiting and how SS can contribute to retirement.
Interesting comparison, though, several of Vanguard’s active mutual funds have been exceptional. My employer dropped the Vanguard Capital Opportunity fund, but I was able to switch this15% of my allocation to the Primecap fund. It has gained an average of 15% over 5 years and 13.75% per year since 1984! Their total market fund, though, is the core holding. Vanguard is recommending a tilt towards international index funds for the next few years—not sure about that? Any thoughts?
The NYT’s Ron Lieber just wrote a denigrating feature on Jonathan. Here is my response ti his editor: pollocke@nytco.com I write to complain about Ron Lieber’s column about Jonathan Clements. I assume the errors are due to professional competitiveness. First, he mis-characterizes Jonathon’s 3 principles of retirement investing—annuities are not a key component, his two columns this week are standard basic advice and nothing like Lieber’s summary (have a look); secondly, to denigrate him by saying his retirement advice is biased by having good retirement plans is simply not true for most Americans; third, the snarky comments on his ex handling the kid’s tuition is uncalled for. You know as an editor the main themes of his preparing for a long retirement and then shifting to a one year plan due to cancer and communicating this to his readers was the key theme and was not communicated here. His competitive snarky comments were not justified.
Comments:
I rebalanced slightly (5%) down from 70% stocks to 35% bonds—policies not focused on supporting the middle class often results in decreased consumer spending and economic slowdowns (Keynes); plus it has been a very strong two year run in the markets.
Post: Limits of Power by Jonathan Clements
Link to comment from January 17, 2025
“10 Suicidal Behavior and Ideation Suicidal behavior and ideation have been reported in clinical trials with other weight management products. Monitor patients treated with WEGOVY® for the emergence or worsening of depression, suicidal thoughts or behavior, and/or any unusual changes in mood or behavior. Discontinue WEGOVY® in patients who experience suicidal thoughts or behaviors. Avoid WEGOVY® in patients with a history of suicidal attempts or active suicidal ideation.” Product Insert. The way this usually works is that Wegovy had a class warning—a previous group of CB2 weight loss drugs blocked cannabis receptors and gave a “reverse-munchies” effect that caused weight loss. They also caused a reverse “high’ and were banned due to depression and suicide thoughts. There wasn’t much of this in the trials of the two new products and the FDA is usually reluctant to require additional warning until the science and risks are worked out, eg what are the risks in those with prior depression? Sounds like they need to get on this quickly.
Post: My Ozempic Nightmare
Link to comment from December 15, 2024
Schoretsanitis G, Weiler S, Barbui C, Raschi E, Gastaldon C. Disproportionality Analysis From World Health Organization Data on Semaglutide, Liraglutide, and Suicidality. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(8):e2423385. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.23385 This post-marketing study showed a possible safety signal for a small, but increased risk for suicidality. This type of study can’t show causality, but does suggest that more safety studies be done.
Post: My Ozempic Nightmare
Link to comment from December 14, 2024
It used to be thought that the brain’s neurons stopped proliferating in early adulthood, but it is fascinating that many activities stimulate neurogenesis in the aging brain in both the hippocampus and deep frontal lobes. Exercise, antidepressants, Viagra can stimulate neurogenesis. Several studies have shown that exercise like bicycling can stabilize hippocampal atrophy and memory in the aging brain compared to sham exercise like stretching. It is fascinating that exercise might help delay or prevent Alzheimer’s symptoms. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1934590923000024#:~:text=Adult%20hippocampal%20neurogenesis%20(AHN)%20drops,cognitive%20status%20in%20AD%20patients.
Post: Feed Your Brain
Link to comment from September 20, 2024
My approach has been to target retirement investment savings with S.S.that would replace my current income until age 100 with inflation and a 20% buffer in case of market crashes. To this I added $20K a year for travel and $20K for charity. The market has been kind and I’ve met my target.
Post: RDQ says ignore those big scary numbers
Link to comment from August 22, 2024
Thank’s for the helpful review. Another aspect of this is that these funds can be pieced together for tax loss harvesting for taxable investments. The total US fund can be matched with the S&P 500 and the extended market fund to collect tax losses during downturns without leaving the market. I signed up for Vanguard’s automatic tax harvesting program—someday the market will duck and this will get used. A financial advisor and accountant should review individual situations to see if this is appropriate. Vanguard analysts summarize that this is most worthwhile if you invest the tax savings.
Post: My Favorite Fund
Link to comment from August 18, 2024
Rick: it would be helpful to compute future value for median and maximum SS payments at “full” retirement age of 66 compared to maximum payments at age 70 years. This would give us a better appreciation of the value of waiting and how SS can contribute to retirement.
Post: Should you include SS and pensions in your net worth? Connor weighs in.
Link to comment from August 1, 2024
Interesting comparison, though, several of Vanguard’s active mutual funds have been exceptional. My employer dropped the Vanguard Capital Opportunity fund, but I was able to switch this15% of my allocation to the Primecap fund. It has gained an average of 15% over 5 years and 13.75% per year since 1984! Their total market fund, though, is the core holding. Vanguard is recommending a tilt towards international index funds for the next few years—not sure about that? Any thoughts?
Post: Vanguard’s “Active” Vs. Passive ETFs: A Study in Serendipity by Steve Abramowitz
Link to comment from July 18, 2024
The NYT’s Ron Lieber just wrote a denigrating feature on Jonathan. Here is my response ti his editor: pollocke@nytco.com I write to complain about Ron Lieber’s column about Jonathan Clements. I assume the errors are due to professional competitiveness. First, he mis-characterizes Jonathon’s 3 principles of retirement investing—annuities are not a key component, his two columns this week are standard basic advice and nothing like Lieber’s summary (have a look); secondly, to denigrate him by saying his retirement advice is biased by having good retirement plans is simply not true for most Americans; third, the snarky comments on his ex handling the kid’s tuition is uncalled for. You know as an editor the main themes of his preparing for a long retirement and then shifting to a one year plan due to cancer and communicating this to his readers was the key theme and was not communicated here. His competitive snarky comments were not justified.
Post: Scroll Down
Link to comment from July 13, 2024
That’s gray rather than grey
Post: A challenge from RDQ. How do you define living comfortably in retirement, and is it enough?
Link to comment from July 11, 2024