We’re getting $198 back. Have to wonder is this a ploy to curry favor with the State Insurance Commissioners to let them pass on the annual increases? I pay an awful lot for car insurance but their wind and hail rates make bundling work.
Jonathan would be disappointed by this posting and the bickering. Let's honor him by staying focused on sharing financial "learnings". Remember HUMBLEDollar!
I feel your pain. I've run into a similar situation; but less grand (financially). We gave our daughters a commitment for significant travel dollars for Xmas and I'm currently trying to optimize whether to take it in 2025 or 2026 to avoid any IRMMA.
As I look back on pre-retirement planning, the one thing that I wish I had done differently is plan more Roth conversions. As I look out 5+ years (we've been retired 7 years) I think the combination of RMD's, SS and income from after-tax investments will push us into higher tax brackets than I anticipated. I realize these are "1st world problems" but I hate giving the Federal Government any more than I have to, I'd rather donate it to worthy causes.
Well said. Growing up, we never had much but my folks knew how to stretch a dollar. Learning to value those dollars was a life lesson that carried over into me doing my own investing and my own taxes. As a young married couple we saved even though it hurt and started investing early. Might a financial advisor helped to get somewhat better returns? - maybe. But we’ve done just fine. Have we made a few rookie mistakes? - yup. But that learning made us more inquisitive and questioning along the way.
We made the decision to live mortgage free by liquidating assets to build our retirement home. Do we think about what “has it appreciated”? Sure. But the truth is that value is our built in inheritance for our two children, so the actual value (+/-) isn’t really all that. significant to us. They’ll inherit a tidy sum. And if we should need it for care later on - it’s plenty. We worked hard, we’re savers and have been truly blessed with good fortune.
Comments
Would have to see the demographics of that small sample size before a placed a whole lot of stock in that survey.
Post: A bleak picture for retirement in the future?
Link to comment from September 3, 2026
We’re getting $198 back. Have to wonder is this a ploy to curry favor with the State Insurance Commissioners to let them pass on the annual increases? I pay an awful lot for car insurance but their wind and hail rates make bundling work.
Post: State Farm Dividend
Link to comment from September 3, 2026
Great Post - I have a daughter who I love dearly that I hope sees the light someday soon.
Post: Something Borrowed, Something Saved.
Link to comment from February 23, 2026
Dunn, Thanks for sharing - exactly!
Post: If you have done well, be proud.
Link to comment from February 19, 2026
Jonathan would be disappointed by this posting and the bickering. Let's honor him by staying focused on sharing financial "learnings". Remember HUMBLEDollar!
Post: If you have done well, be proud.
Link to comment from February 18, 2026
I feel your pain. I've run into a similar situation; but less grand (financially). We gave our daughters a commitment for significant travel dollars for Xmas and I'm currently trying to optimize whether to take it in 2025 or 2026 to avoid any IRMMA.
Post: Well: That’s Just Inconvenient!
Link to comment from December 29, 2025
Totally agree. I focus our IRA withdrawal on staying just below the point where IRMMA kicks in.
Post: If You Could Rewind 5 Years Before Retirement… What Would You Change?
Link to comment from December 28, 2025
As I look back on pre-retirement planning, the one thing that I wish I had done differently is plan more Roth conversions. As I look out 5+ years (we've been retired 7 years) I think the combination of RMD's, SS and income from after-tax investments will push us into higher tax brackets than I anticipated. I realize these are "1st world problems" but I hate giving the Federal Government any more than I have to, I'd rather donate it to worthy causes.
Post: If You Could Rewind 5 Years Before Retirement… What Would You Change?
Link to comment from December 28, 2025
Well said. Growing up, we never had much but my folks knew how to stretch a dollar. Learning to value those dollars was a life lesson that carried over into me doing my own investing and my own taxes. As a young married couple we saved even though it hurt and started investing early. Might a financial advisor helped to get somewhat better returns? - maybe. But we’ve done just fine. Have we made a few rookie mistakes? - yup. But that learning made us more inquisitive and questioning along the way.
Post: How to build your nest egg
Link to comment from November 30, 2025
We made the decision to live mortgage free by liquidating assets to build our retirement home. Do we think about what “has it appreciated”? Sure. But the truth is that value is our built in inheritance for our two children, so the actual value (+/-) isn’t really all that. significant to us. They’ll inherit a tidy sum. And if we should need it for care later on - it’s plenty. We worked hard, we’re savers and have been truly blessed with good fortune.
Post: Is the value of your home an important part of retirement plans?
Link to comment from November 24, 2025