TX_Tiger23

Nope, you’ll avoid penalties if they get a scholarship but you’ll still owe the taxes. But you can change the beneficiary to someone else.

You’re absolutely correct and I agree on the top 7-10 stocks in the S&P being overly weighted now due to their run up the past few years. However, it corrects itself over time by newer companies growing and replacing others. Meaning look at the past and some of the heavier weighted companies for the S&P vs now. Lilly, Nvidia, Tesla are all relatively newer companies that have grown and surpassed others to become more heavily weighted.

I still think 500+ companies with market cap weight makes more sense for an index vs weighting based on stock price. And it gives a broader/better representation of the business environment. But I would agree the Dow has done a better job of selecting new companies that better represent the US than they have in the past.

Once your child graduates then you can make the decision. But you can only do the max each year ($7,500 in 2026) and the child has to have earned income and the 529 plan needs to have been opened for 15+ years.

And for those using AI for every question that comes your way, remember you can ask for a summarized version that would make more sense when posting here.

If she has the Fidelity VIP Mid Cap Fund then this has to be a variable annuity. That’s what the VIP funds are used for. So don’t just change brokerage firms. You need to ask about the surrender charge first. It could be over or it could have 5+ years remaining.

If you don’t trust the advisor and don’t have anyone else to ask then call the annuity company and ask questions.

You said parking retirement lump sum in muni’s. Are you meaning parking your qualified pension lump sum into tax-free muni’s? If that’s the case then you wouldn’t invest a qualified account in tax-free muni’s. But I’m thinking you know this and maybe I just misunderstood.

The sweet spot on the muni yield curve is at 12+ years right now. And while I wouldn’t always recommend active for equities, you can benefit with an active manager in the fixed income sectors. Also, don’t get stuck on Vanguard for fixed income.

Fidelity has some good bond ETFs along with PIMCO. Also, Eaton Vance does a good job with international fixed income.

Just remember there are just 2 types of risk with fixed income: interest rate risk (duration) and credit risk (credit rating of issuers).

And it’s good you’re aware of IRMAA and you’re in the sweet spot for Roth conversions. Just don’t forget about the 2 year look back for IRMAA.

It tastes awesome if you mix/melt the butter good.

Why get into Bitcoin and pay a management fee thru an ETF? Just buy Bitcoin. And the bucket strategy is not intermediate, long term and “play” term. If you want beta for a 9-12 month time frame then do what you’re saying but it’s pure speculation “gambling.”

Also, for your other buckets the S&P and Russell are fine but there also international and emerging markets.

Yes. It just means if you haven’t paid it off at 7 years you’ll need to refi. Just make sure you talk to a few lenders.

Best suggestion is don’t use the poblano in salsa.

Ahh…didn’t realize it was now the “rule” to only own AI stocks. Nice rule…till it isn’t.