David Shapiro

Comments:

• Some years ago my IRA was at Schwab and I wanted to do an end-of-year Roth conversion of part of it. This required estimating my taxes for that year so I could figure out how much to convert to "fill out" my tax bracket without going into the next higher bracket. I was not able to do this until the last few days of the year, but when I attempted to do the conversion, the Schwab computers were down! The telephone reps said there was nothing they could do, just try again tomorrow. I went down to the local office and they said the computers were not going to be back running until after Jan 1, but I should hand them actual paperwork, they'd send it in, and when the computer was back up the central office would probably be able to backdate it. Despite my fears and a week of uncertainty, they did eventually accomplish that, but I immediately transferred a portion of the IRA to Vanguard so that I would have a second option in the future in case there was a problem with one company. More complexity with two companies but worth avoiding a repeat of the stress of that year! (No down computers since then with either company that I'm aware of, which I fully attribute to my move to diversify.)

  Post: Unexpected, cautionary or funny tales about managing your retirement accounts online

  Link to comment from August 3, 2024

• Bill, have you given up flying entirely, or just flying solo? I bet your former students would be happy to take you flying with them. And members of a local flying club probably would as well.

  Post: A Painful Confession

  Link to comment from June 29, 2024

• So sorry this has happened to you, but inspired by your response that embodies the qualities that infuse your writings and life. Glad you're feeling well now, but chemotherapy, radiation, and cancer take a toll over time. As a physician, I too recommend using this time to find an excellent palliative care physician to help you when it starts affecting your quality of life more. Best wishes and thank you for everything you've done for me, my family, and everyone else.

  Post: The C Word

  Link to comment from June 15, 2024