I don't really get the tax torpedo guys - you're retired, your income is $800K a year, yes, you're going to pay tax. But would you rather have an income of $75K and pay no tax?
The wealthy retirees are getting their money from......irresponsible people who spend every cent they can get their hands on. One man's interest expense is another man's interest income.
But here's the thing: if you really do well, you will pay substantial taxes as a retiree. Your first duty is to support yourself, but if you do a good job at it you will be supporting many others as well.
So thanks for the money, you drunken sailors out there - now here's some of it back.
If you are well-off, it is impossible to avoid taxes completely.
My plan involves keeping ordinary income in the 24% bracket, and taking the rest taxable as qualified dividends taxed at 15% plus 3.8% NII. With deductions and non-taxable income, this leaves my average Federal tax rate at about 16%.
I have about 4000 records, but I'm not buying any more at this point. As for books, I'm thinking of getting rid of some of them. I have some that would sell on eBay, but that's a lot of work. I suppose I could just donate - that's probably what will happen when I die.
Disqus is not working - this is a test comment. I am logged on with WordPress, but my Disqus username is displaying. Humble Dollar must have a really interesting architecture. Sorry for hijacking your post, Mark. As for the problem you mention, my solution is to budget about $1500 a month for unexpected expenses. This money is not usually used, so I either come in under budget or buy something extravagant instead.
My aim in the my personal portfolio is to be more conservative than the S&P 500, since I am already wealthy and don't need gains. A defensive portfolio like mine minimizes losses when the market goes down.
You can look for growth in your 20s and 30s, but when you get to your 70s and 80s capital preservation is more important.
In order to do a full financial plan for this couple, we would need the real numbers. How much is each pension, how much is social security, what are their basic living expenses? It sounds like there should be plenty of money, but we are helpless without the numbers.
Comments
I don't really get the tax torpedo guys - you're retired, your income is $800K a year, yes, you're going to pay tax. But would you rather have an income of $75K and pay no tax?
Post: Doubt the Forecast
Link to comment from March 29, 2026
The wealthy retirees are getting their money from......irresponsible people who spend every cent they can get their hands on. One man's interest expense is another man's interest income. But here's the thing: if you really do well, you will pay substantial taxes as a retiree. Your first duty is to support yourself, but if you do a good job at it you will be supporting many others as well. So thanks for the money, you drunken sailors out there - now here's some of it back.
Post: Retirement in America is not a pretty picture…and not getting better.
Link to comment from March 17, 2026
If you are well-off, it is impossible to avoid taxes completely. My plan involves keeping ordinary income in the 24% bracket, and taking the rest taxable as qualified dividends taxed at 15% plus 3.8% NII. With deductions and non-taxable income, this leaves my average Federal tax rate at about 16%.
Post: Tax Smart Retirement
Link to comment from March 8, 2026
If you have good concert t-shirts, you might want to check eBay. Some of them are worth hundreds of dollars.
Post: When Your Pastime Takes Ownership
Link to comment from March 7, 2026
I have about 4000 records, but I'm not buying any more at this point. As for books, I'm thinking of getting rid of some of them. I have some that would sell on eBay, but that's a lot of work. I suppose I could just donate - that's probably what will happen when I die.
Post: When Your Pastime Takes Ownership
Link to comment from March 7, 2026
Disqus is not working - this is a test comment. I am logged on with WordPress, but my Disqus username is displaying. Humble Dollar must have a really interesting architecture. Sorry for hijacking your post, Mark. As for the problem you mention, my solution is to budget about $1500 a month for unexpected expenses. This money is not usually used, so I either come in under budget or buy something extravagant instead.
Post: Smoke, Sparks and Retirement Spending.
Link to comment from March 5, 2026
My aim in the my personal portfolio is to be more conservative than the S&P 500, since I am already wealthy and don't need gains. A defensive portfolio like mine minimizes losses when the market goes down. You can look for growth in your 20s and 30s, but when you get to your 70s and 80s capital preservation is more important.
Post: A Very Sensible Conclusion
Link to comment from February 22, 2026
If there were a 40% drop in the S&P, I'd definitely be a buyer. Good stocks are seldom on sale, get them while you can.
Post: How Far Back Would a 40% Drop Take Us?
Link to comment from February 21, 2026
In order to do a full financial plan for this couple, we would need the real numbers. How much is each pension, how much is social security, what are their basic living expenses? It sounds like there should be plenty of money, but we are helpless without the numbers.
Post: Do some seniors make life more difficult for themselves?
Link to comment from February 21, 2026
Well, I am the president of the investment club here in my 55+ community, and give presentations on how to analyze stocks.
Post: A Very Sensible Conclusion
Link to comment from February 18, 2026