In retirement, as you likely know, there’s a new element to investing—tax management. I’ve actually enjoyed learning how to manage our investments and distributions in the most tax-efficient way possible. I wouldn’t say it’s a chore or stressful. As odd as it may sound, I find it very interesting.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been interested in investing. As a child, I followed stock price quotes in the newspaper and watched the evening news report the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Back then, the Dow was under 1,000 points.
I didn’t begin investing until my early 20s, when I landed my first career job and could finally afford to buy stocks. I purchased my first shares through a local bank’s brokerage department—back when they actually issued paper stock certificates. I also contributed to my company’s retirement stock plan up to the maximum allowed.
In my early 30s, I opened a brokerage account and an IRA at Fidelity. Over the years, I consistently contributed the maximum to my 401(k) and IRAs. I still remember our quarterly statements arriving in the mail—some showing losses. I would just chuckle and say, “I hope our accounts grow so we can retire someday.”
I was never afraid to invest because I always felt I had time on my side. That long-term mindset made it easier to stay the course through market ups and downs.
I eventually retired in my mid-50s. Today, I have a much deeper understanding of how the market works and how to manage my investments—but it all started with a curious kid reading stock quotes in the newspaper.
It is definitely fraud. My husband's Medicare account was billed for the same thing. He called Medicare to report it and they said it was fraud. It is a $10.6 billion scheme.
The connections is with Mark's taxes. Mark mentioned that his effective tax is 21%, however part of his taxes pays for his health care premiums. If I were to add my yearly medical premiums to my tax liability it turns that the effective tax would be about 3% more.
When I add the amount of money we pay in a year for medical coverage (premiums) to the annual income tax, our effective tax comes out to about 3% higher. 2025 Effective Tax: 14.1%, 2025 Effective Tax which include Medical Premiums: 17.07%.
Comments
Unfortunately, No.
Post: HSA Tips
Link to comment from March 5, 2026
A good problem to have. :)
Post: How did you avoid being in the 39%?
Link to comment from March 5, 2026
In retirement, as you likely know, there’s a new element to investing—tax management. I’ve actually enjoyed learning how to manage our investments and distributions in the most tax-efficient way possible. I wouldn’t say it’s a chore or stressful. As odd as it may sound, I find it very interesting.
Post: How did you avoid being in the 39%?
Link to comment from March 4, 2026
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been interested in investing. As a child, I followed stock price quotes in the newspaper and watched the evening news report the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Back then, the Dow was under 1,000 points. I didn’t begin investing until my early 20s, when I landed my first career job and could finally afford to buy stocks. I purchased my first shares through a local bank’s brokerage department—back when they actually issued paper stock certificates. I also contributed to my company’s retirement stock plan up to the maximum allowed. In my early 30s, I opened a brokerage account and an IRA at Fidelity. Over the years, I consistently contributed the maximum to my 401(k) and IRAs. I still remember our quarterly statements arriving in the mail—some showing losses. I would just chuckle and say, “I hope our accounts grow so we can retire someday.” I was never afraid to invest because I always felt I had time on my side. That long-term mindset made it easier to stay the course through market ups and downs. I eventually retired in my mid-50s. Today, I have a much deeper understanding of how the market works and how to manage my investments—but it all started with a curious kid reading stock quotes in the newspaper.
Post: How did you avoid being in the 39%?
Link to comment from March 4, 2026
If you're interested, this fraud was also covered on the news. Here is a link to one of the news stations.
Post: Less Paper, More Fraud
Link to comment from February 3, 2026
It is definitely fraud. My husband's Medicare account was billed for the same thing. He called Medicare to report it and they said it was fraud. It is a $10.6 billion scheme.
Post: Less Paper, More Fraud
Link to comment from February 2, 2026
The connections is with Mark's taxes. Mark mentioned that his effective tax is 21%, however part of his taxes pays for his health care premiums. If I were to add my yearly medical premiums to my tax liability it turns that the effective tax would be about 3% more.
Post: Your effective tax rate
Link to comment from February 2, 2026
When I add the amount of money we pay in a year for medical coverage (premiums) to the annual income tax, our effective tax comes out to about 3% higher. 2025 Effective Tax: 14.1%, 2025 Effective Tax which include Medical Premiums: 17.07%.
Post: Your effective tax rate
Link to comment from February 1, 2026
Thank you! I follow Rob Berger on You Tube. He also did a video on using the RMD distribution method.
Post: RMDs, account withdrawals, 4% simplified- MAYBE?
Link to comment from January 16, 2026
Yup! That's correct. :)
Post: How important is planning for Medicare premiums in retirement? VERY!
Link to comment from January 15, 2026