Comments on: Review: The Bogleheads’ Guide to Retirement Planning

By: DanT

DanT — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:58:38 +0000

Stupid work proxy. Kevin M (#4) beat me to it.

By: DanT

DanT — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:56:57 +0000

One minor error to point out. In the Early Retirement section, you state that the balance of a Roth IRA can be withdrawn tax-free at any time. The _contributions_ can be withdrawn at (essentially) any time, but not the balance. Any withdrawn _gains_ would be taxable, unless the circumstances meet the requirements for a tax-free withdrawal.

Although with the recent market hit, it’s quite possible that the balance is less than the contributions, so in that situation, yeah, the whole balance can be withdrawn. :)

By: Kevin M

Kevin M — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:53:27 +0000

You might want to revise the wording you have under the “Early Retirement” section as this is incorrect:

“penalty-free withdrawals from a Roth IRA (since you can withdraw the balance at any time)”

I think you meant to say – withdraw the principal or original contributions instead of “balance”.

By: John DeFlumeri Jr

John DeFlumeri Jr — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:22:56 +0000

Trent, you have the most amazing resources for everything having to do with money and finance. I read you every day.

Thanks, John DeFlumeri Jr.

By: Debbie

Debbie — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:04:21 +0000

Great article. Definitely looks like a book worth owning.
One small correction regarding annuities – the annuitant (i.e. the one buying the annuity) can select a payout stream that will pay distributions to beneficiaries. This selection will impact (i.e. reduce) the amount the annuitant receives in retirement. The beneficiary will also have to pay taxes at ordinary income tax rates on the income portion of the distribution – i.e. on any earnings over the cash basis.
Debbie

By: brad

brad — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 22:23:16 +0000

good article. on an unrelated note, have you ever done a search on the site for “let’s dig in”? i think that might be one of your favorite phrases.