Olin, thanks for asking. John Urban drilled down above, in his response to you, to a large extent. Hope that helped. As you know, these apps are basically tools. One has to consider his finances, goals, expectations and intangibles such as longevity and change the inputs to the model. More you specify, more the answer gets "kind of clear" in number but more vague in how it got there, unless you go into its mechanics of the calculation. It rolls in author's or the model's assumptions unless you change them. Simpler, in my opinion, is to make basic calculations yourself on a spreadsheet, and experiment with one variable at a time on a reasonable setup that matches your finances and plans. There, you get a sense of direction in which you want to move. John, in his article, elaborated well, aspects one should consider in feeding the app and getting to a decision. Hope this helps Olin. Sorry, if it doesn't. I had to subscribe to Boldin so that I could see what it does, and asked for cancellation soon after. Not that it is not good; I just don't see a need to use app for myself.
I believe the reasoning is thorough, and the article brings out various aspects involved in the consideration of conversion. It also illustrates that results vary depending upon "starting conditions." I did not check each number and don't think that is necessary. I also checked out the Boldin site suggested below. Once again, and as expected, results vary depending upon how you set it up. I would start with a simpler analysis tailored to a limited problem statement with fewer variables. That gives a better handle on the impact of each variable and project tax consequence.
Kathleen, thank you for posting this information on this forum. It is very comprehensive. Have you explored options for those retiring abroad with respect to end of life care? There seem to be cost advantages, especially for those without LTC in place, and of course many disadvantages, such as being away from the family.
Thank you Bill! Very good advice. I have held VFIAX in my taxable for long, and am trying to avoid these capital gains affecting my current tax year. Perhaps, I should just cash the RMD into my settlement fund and leave the shares to heirs. And I never thought of dividend reinvestment affecting short/long term capital gain. That is very insightful. Thanks.
First of all, thanks to Bogdan for an excellent reminder. I spent an hour with Perplexity this morning after reading Bogdan, before I read your comments. I have a taxable Vanguard account and your notes reinforce what I learnt from that research. Thank you! I have a mutual fund in my taxable, and planning to take an in-kind RMD distribution next year. I am thinking it would be better to change my cost basis from average to specific lots. This is to enable cashing the new RMD proceeds when I need to, and reduce the capital gains hit and perhaps leave the current shares to spouse.
Great perspective. " .... are all healthy enough to experience life together is smaller than you think... and it's getting smaller." Most valuable things in life take a long time to achieve and we have precious little time to experience them. Live the moment!
Dick, could you please comment on Mark Cuban's effort to lower drug prices with his Cost Plus Drug Company? I see with Part D coverage selecting a pharmacy such as CVS is often less helpful in getting a prescription filled (very expensive that is!) but one can fill it with MCCPDC at a VERY reasonable cost outside the Part D coverage. He talks about pharmacy benefit managers and their control of the system. Perhaps you would complain for once?
Comments
Roth IRA for you seems like a solution looking for a problem! You are blessed. Enjoy your fortune as is, I say.
Post: Roth Conversions and Taxes
Link to comment from August 12, 2026
Thanks for the article reference, Bill. The website seems loaded with information.
Post: Roth Conversions and Taxes
Link to comment from August 12, 2026
Olin, thanks for asking. John Urban drilled down above, in his response to you, to a large extent. Hope that helped. As you know, these apps are basically tools. One has to consider his finances, goals, expectations and intangibles such as longevity and change the inputs to the model. More you specify, more the answer gets "kind of clear" in number but more vague in how it got there, unless you go into its mechanics of the calculation. It rolls in author's or the model's assumptions unless you change them. Simpler, in my opinion, is to make basic calculations yourself on a spreadsheet, and experiment with one variable at a time on a reasonable setup that matches your finances and plans. There, you get a sense of direction in which you want to move. John, in his article, elaborated well, aspects one should consider in feeding the app and getting to a decision. Hope this helps Olin. Sorry, if it doesn't. I had to subscribe to Boldin so that I could see what it does, and asked for cancellation soon after. Not that it is not good; I just don't see a need to use app for myself.
Post: Roth Conversions and Taxes
Link to comment from August 10, 2026
I believe the reasoning is thorough, and the article brings out various aspects involved in the consideration of conversion. It also illustrates that results vary depending upon "starting conditions." I did not check each number and don't think that is necessary. I also checked out the Boldin site suggested below. Once again, and as expected, results vary depending upon how you set it up. I would start with a simpler analysis tailored to a limited problem statement with fewer variables. That gives a better handle on the impact of each variable and project tax consequence.
Post: Roth Conversions and Taxes
Link to comment from August 8, 2026
And Jerry, thank you for posting "The Letter."
Post: Before Someone Else Decides
Link to comment from August 3, 2026
Kathleen, thank you for posting this information on this forum. It is very comprehensive. Have you explored options for those retiring abroad with respect to end of life care? There seem to be cost advantages, especially for those without LTC in place, and of course many disadvantages, such as being away from the family.
Post: Before Someone Else Decides
Link to comment from August 3, 2026
Thank you Bill! Very good advice. I have held VFIAX in my taxable for long, and am trying to avoid these capital gains affecting my current tax year. Perhaps, I should just cash the RMD into my settlement fund and leave the shares to heirs. And I never thought of dividend reinvestment affecting short/long term capital gain. That is very insightful. Thanks.
Post: $400,000 Mistake
Link to comment from August 2, 2026
First of all, thanks to Bogdan for an excellent reminder. I spent an hour with Perplexity this morning after reading Bogdan, before I read your comments. I have a taxable Vanguard account and your notes reinforce what I learnt from that research. Thank you! I have a mutual fund in my taxable, and planning to take an in-kind RMD distribution next year. I am thinking it would be better to change my cost basis from average to specific lots. This is to enable cashing the new RMD proceeds when I need to, and reduce the capital gains hit and perhaps leave the current shares to spouse.
Post: $400,000 Mistake
Link to comment from August 1, 2026
Great perspective. " .... are all healthy enough to experience life together is smaller than you think... and it's getting smaller." Most valuable things in life take a long time to achieve and we have precious little time to experience them. Live the moment!
Post: Go While You Still Can
Link to comment from July 30, 2026
Dick, could you please comment on Mark Cuban's effort to lower drug prices with his Cost Plus Drug Company? I see with Part D coverage selecting a pharmacy such as CVS is often less helpful in getting a prescription filled (very expensive that is!) but one can fill it with MCCPDC at a VERY reasonable cost outside the Part D coverage. He talks about pharmacy benefit managers and their control of the system. Perhaps you would complain for once?
Post: A discussion on health insurance, premiums, profits and such- a 50 year perspective most people don’t want to accept
Link to comment from July 23, 2026