Michael Dinh

June 27, 2007 was my first post and April 20, 2026 will be my last post.

Be Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise !

Actuarial ServicesEarly or Late Retirement? When To Start Receiving Retirement BenefitsBenefit calculatorsHow we calculate benefitsWorkers planning for their retirement should be aware that retirement benefits depend on age at retirement. If a worker begins receiving benefits before his/her normal (or full) retirement age, the worker will receive a reduced benefit. A worker can choose to retire as early as age 62, but doing so may result in a reduction of as much as 30 percent.Starting to receive benefits after normal retirement age may result in larger benefits. With delayed retirement credits, a person can receive his or her largest benefit by retiring at age 70.Early retirement reduces benefitsIn the case of early retirement, a benefit is reduced 5/9 of one percent for each month before normal retirement age, up to 36 months. If the number of months exceeds 36, then the benefit is further reduced 5/12 of one percent per month.For example, if the number of reduction months is 60 (the maximum number for retirement at 62 when normal retirement age is 67), then the benefit is reduced by 30 percent. This maximum reduction is calculated as 36 months times 5/9 of 1 percent plus 24 months times 5/12 of 1 percent.Delayed retirement increases benefitsDelayed retirement credit is generally given for retirement after the normal retirement age. To receive full credit, you must be insured at your normal retirement age. No credit is given after age 69.If you retire before age 70, some of your delayed retirement credits will not be applied until the January after you start benefits. The calculator below gives you the amount with all credits applied for comparison purposes.Delayed retirement credits increase a retiree’s benefits. The table below shows the delayed retirement credit by year of birth.Compute the effect of early or delayed retirementIf you enter your date of birth and the effective month for beginning your benefits, we will tell you the effect of early or delayed retirement as a percentage of your primary insurance amount. Please note that benefits are generally paid in the month following the effective month.Enter your date of birth (month/day/year format):
/ / Enter the effective month and year for which you would like to begin receiving benefits:
/   You must be at least age 62 to begin receiving benefits.The month you will reach your normal retirement age is .
Effect of your retirement choice on your benefit:Annual delayed retirement credit percentage varies from 3% to 8% by year of birthDelayed retirement creditYear of birthCredit per year1917-243.0%1925-263.5%1927-284.0%1929-304.5%1931-325.0%1933-345.5%1935-366.0%1937-386.5%1939-407.0%1941-427.5%1943 and later8.0%Note: Persons born on January 1 of any year should refer to the credit percentage for the previous year.More informationA table illustrates the complex interaction among normal retirement age, actuarial reduction, and delayed retirement credit.

Retrieved from https://wordpress.com/support/wordpress-editor/blocks/embed-block September 19, 2026

The Year of the Fire Horse Is Here! What it Means for You, According to Experts

https://www.irs.gov/filing/federal-income-tax-rates-and-brackets

What is the % difference for 12% vs 22% ???

The goal is to stay below 22% bracket.

Roth IRA is TAX FREE!

Traditional IRA is TAX DEFER.

Plan accordingly.

Been out of tech for some times after layoff.

3 wks vacations to Asia a yr.

What R MAN?

I KNOW TAXES. Retired from HR Block after 19yrs.

IRS simplify the process and TaxAct made it convoluted!!!

So how does IRS knows the purchase price? The don’t !!!

So if purchase at 14$ I can put $ 20 for lower Capital Gains Tax?

NO! NO! NO! That is FRAULD !!!

Before, ONLY THE PROCEEDS were reported to IRS!
Now, proceeds and sales are reported to IRS.

This makes it easier to file taxes and harder to cheat.

TaxAct software and technical support were clueles

FINALLY

Your Requested 2025 TaxAct E-file Notice: Federal Return Accepted
Your Requested 2025 TaxAct E-file Notice: California Return Accepted

Questions and answers about the new deduction for qualified overtime compensation

One, Big, Beautiful Bill: How to take advantage of no tax on tips and overtime

Set and forget do work.

Congratulations! You’ve just taken the first step toward better brain health.

Your results show that you have Brain Type 1—the most balanced and consistent of all brain types.

YOUR BRAIN TYPE TENDS TO:

Be reliable, responsible, and consistent.

Prefer structure, routine, and established systems.

Stay focused, calm, and grounded even when others are stressed.

Typical Asians hide money mattresses. I have finally started a portfolio for my spouse.

Better to buy bottom then top.

Before investing please understand and manage risk as everyone has a different risk tolerant.

If you lose 50% then how how much % gain is required to break even. Most get this WRONG!

This is not financial advice !!!

At a young age, Jerry gave me the book Looking Out for #1 by Robert J. Ringer.

I am reminded of my dear departed friend (Jerry Roberts) for his friendship and wisdom.

Learn to invest.

Saving my work in case it gets deleted. Forgot to mention spouse as 10 million in 401k and every time there is a change it causes HUGE impact to the funds – sarcasm.

12/31/2024 Transfer — View Detail
12/30/2024 Transfer — View Detail
10/31/2024 Transfer — View Detail
10/09/2024 Transfer — View Detail
10/02/2024 Transfer — View Detail
09/13/2024 Transfer — View Detail
03/11/2024 Transfer — View Detail
03/04/2024 Transfer — View Detail
02/02/2024 Transfer — View Detail
01/31/2024 Transfer — View Detail
01/29/2024 Transfer — View Detail
01/24/2024 Transfer — View Detail
01/22/2024 Transfer — View Detail

There were 13 transfers and if that is excessive, then there’s definitely WRONG with the application not able to scale!!!

Ever heard of out of sight, out of mind?

It looks like employer is not paying any fees.

What is the percentage difference between 12% and 22%? Many get this wrong.

This is why the middle class is screwed.

Retrieved from https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-releases-tax-inflation-adjustments-for-tax-year-2025 Mar 30, 2025

Read more about it https://www.schwab.com/pcra and https://www.schwab.com/resource/pricing-guide-for-retirement-plan-accounts

Basically, I am not happy with the service and selection for current 401k.

With PCRA, there are more and better options!

HAPPY INVESTING!

Retrieved from https://www.schwab.com/learn/story/can-you-afford-to-retire-early March 19, 2025

Note to self !!!

There is no need for data entries nor attachments.

February 28, 2025 Best Investment

Remembered what I said?

If you lose 50%, then how many percent is required to break even?

Be Careful!

I get this questions often. The best investment is your house vs stock.

You might think I am smoking bad crack.

What investment can you live in over 2yrs and make 250k tax free for single / 500k married filing joint?

https://www.schwab.com/learn/story/guide-on-taking-social-security

https://www.schwab.com/learn/story/can-you-afford-to-retire-early

House is paid off and property is tax $2,100.

Please perform research for your situation as there is no one size fits all.