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• It sounds like you are referring to issue-age Medicare supplement policies. Except issue-age policies can (and do) have premiums increases. KFF has a good article explaining the 3 pricing structures of Medigap plans: https://www.kff.org/medicare/issue-brief/key-facts-about-medigap-enrollment-and-premiums-for-medicare-beneficiaries/. From the article: There are three different rating systems that can affect how Medigap insurers determine premiums: community rating, issue-age rating, or attained-age rating. Community rating: The same premium is generally charged to everyone, regardless of age or gender. Premiums may go up because of inflation and other factors, such as smoking status and residential area, but not due to age. Issue-age rating: The premium is based on the age of the beneficiary when they purchase the Medigap policy. Premiums are lower for people who buy at a younger age and will not change as they get older, but premiums may go up because of inflation and other factors, such as smoking status and residential area, but not due to age. Attained-age rating: The premium is based on a beneficiary’s current age, so the premium goes up as they get older. Premiums are lower for younger buyers but increase as they get older, which means that premiums may be the least expensive at first but can eventually become the most expensive. Premiums may also go up because of inflation and other factors, such as smoking status and residential area. States can impose regulations on which of these rating systems are permitted or required for Medigap policies sold in their state. Currently, nine states (AR, CT, ID, MA, ME, MN, NY, VT, and WA) require premiums to be community rated among policyholders ages 65 and older (Appendix Table 4). Four states – Arizona, Florida, Georgia, and Missouri – permit issue-age rating but prohibit attained-age rating, while the majority of states (37 states and D.C.) allow any rating system.

  Post: Seeking Input on Medicare Supplement Carriers

  Link to comment from August 2, 2025

• Thank you!

  Post: Family Dynamics, Part 2: Supporting Adult Children

  Link to comment from July 29, 2025

• What is an "RE" minister?

  Post: Family Dynamics, Part 2: Supporting Adult Children

  Link to comment from July 27, 2025

• Boomerst3, would you expand on your thinking behind the 2 irrevocable trusts? You mention they are for tax reduction purposes. But with the new One Big Beautiful Bill's estate tax exemption amount of $15 million per person, indexed to inflation, it takes a considerable $30 million + estate to be taxed now. We are considering a revocable trust in which, by agreement, the surviving spouse's share in the trust becomes an irrevocable trust at that time. The intent is to avoid the step-parent/disinheritence issues if the surviving spouse remarries, as well as requests from "outside" family members (siblings, nieces, and nephews of the surviving spouse, most of whom are not good savers) who may make a pitch for money in our older years -- when it is harder to say no, plus cognitive decline considerations. Thank you for any insights you can share.

  Post: Letting Go

  Link to comment from July 27, 2025

• I have Wellebe/Medico's High-Deductible G Plan. The low-end monthly premium was an attractive $38.93/mo. at signup earlier this year. But I also learned my premium would rise to $48.15/mo at my 1-year anniversary date in 2026, a considerable 23.7% increase. So I'm also considering an alternate policy while I still have the right to switch without medical underwriting (a few more days only). Banker’s Fidelity (underwritten by Atlantic Capital Life Assurance Co.) is $41.67/mo., but with only 1 year of experience in my state (Texas) and only 22 lives insureds in my state, it's just not worth taking a risk on a new player. (Update for 2025: They now have 2 years in the market, with 871 insureds in Texas.) Mutual of Omaha has 60 years in the Texas market and almost 38,000 lives insured in my state, so their premium of $45.86/mo. is my main alternative. It may also have a price increase before my anniversary date in 2026, so there may not be enough of a difference to make a switch by the end of this month worthwhile. Wellebe itself seems just fine. Since my medical expenses have been very low this year, I have not reached the $2875 deductible -- and therefore they have not had to pay any claims.

  Post: Seeking Input on Medicare Supplement Carriers

  Link to comment from July 27, 2025

• Howard, your comments and experience using the Investment Grade Corporate iBond is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you! Paul, the TIPS iBond has an expense ratio of .1%, or 10 bps. I'm not sure how to answer your specific question, though. Here's a recent Morningstar article that may be helpful, discussing the use of iBonds to build a TIPS ladder: https://www.morningstar.com/portfolios/how-use-tips-your-portfolio For others, iBonds are not solely a TIPS product. As my original post indicates, there are 5 distinct ETFs in the "iBond family." https://www.ishares.com/us/strategies/bond-etfs/build-better-bond-ladders

  Post: Has anyone used iBonds to build a bond ladder?

  Link to comment from July 27, 2025

• Liquidity prior to the maturity date is not typically an issue with a target date bond ETF like this. You buy it to mature when you need the money.

  Post: Has anyone used iBonds to build a bond ladder?

  Link to comment from July 24, 2025

• Has anyone used any of the Target Date iBond ETFs? If so, I'd love to know your experience. The expense ratios on the iBond Target Date Maturity ETFs range from 7 basis points for U.S. Treasuries;10 bps for TIPS, Municipals, & Investment Grade Corporate; and 35 bps for the "High Yield & Income Corporate" ETF. 7 - 10 bps seems a very reasonable price for increased diversification and professional purchasing and management. Anyone care to comment?

  Post: The Bond Fund Crash: What I Learned When “Safe” Investments Tanked

  Link to comment from July 24, 2025

• Instead of the risk assiciated with individual bonds, can anyone comment on their use of iShares iBond target date ETF funds? Seems like the best of all worlds with the advantages of “hold to maturity,” low fees, and diversification of risk with many bonds of similar maturity date held in an ETF — as far as I can tell. For those not familiar: https://www.ishares.com/us/strategies/bond-etfs/build-better-bond-ladders

  Post: The Bond Fund Crash: What I Learned When “Safe” Investments Tanked

  Link to comment from July 24, 2025

• Jonathan, I referred an old teammate I lost touch with after 7th grade — but reconnected a couple of years ago — to your investment and retirement sections just a few days ago. Why? He just retired at age 65 and asked what I thought about crypto. The financial wisdom imbedded in your site will live on long past most of us, to help others like him. Your column today encourages me to prepare to meet my end of life someday with as much purpose, commitment, and transparency as you have demonstrated. Thank you for sharing your journey with us.

  Post: Extra Innings

  Link to comment from July 11, 2025