Answering Listener Questions with Grant Bledsoe, Ep # 145

Episode 145 of the Retirement Starts Today podcast, hosted by Benjamin Brandt and Grant Bledsoe, titled "Answering Listener Questions with Grant Bledsoe, Ep # 145" was published on June 22, 2020 and runs 25 minutes.

June 22, 2020 ·25m · Retirement Starts Today

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Episode Description

I've got an exciting episode planned for you today. This episode will focus solely on listener questions but as an added twist I've asked my friend Grant Bledsoe over at Grow Money Business Podcast to join me in answering these questions. I think you'll benefit from Grant's expertise as a Registered Investment Advisor and enjoy hearing his perspective as he helps me answer your questions. Listen in to hear our two points of view about rebalancing in difficult markets, quarterly tax payments, and choosing between a lump sum or monthly payments.

Outline of This Episode

[1:22] How to rebalance your portfolio when dealing with difficult markets
[7:00] What is the classification of REITs?
[15:30] After a Roth conversion should you send in quarterly tax payments?
[17:55] A $200,000 lump sum or $1500 a month payments for life?

How to rebalance your portfolio when dealing with difficult markets

With all of the market turmoil over the past few months, many of us are left scratching our heads when the time comes to rebalance. How are we supposed to rebalance when the stock market is so volatile?

Grant sees 2 sides to this thought equation. One side contains the math and the other part has the psychology. The math side will tell you that you are better off investing all your cash at once. But, psychologically, not many of us are prepared to jump all in today's turbulent market. Grant suggests waiting or using the dollar cost average to divide up the cash over the next year or two. He stresses that you should choose a reasonable method and stick with it. Consistency is key, especially in times of uncertainty. Listen in to hear my response to this timely question.

How should REITs be classified?

Do you have REITs in your portfolio? One listener wonders whether they should be classified as a stock or a bond. While Grant thinks they act more like a stock, I tend to put them in the same category as bonds, but really, they are neither. Most REIT funds will invest in big commercial real estate, such as hospitals and shopping malls. They behave in their own way since the returns are driven by rents, interest rates, and appreciation. Having REITs in your 'other' category is one way to diversify your portfolio. Discover the risks of owning REITs as well as the difference between traded and non traded REITs on this episode of Retirement Starts Today.

Should you send in quarterly tax payments when doing a Roth conversion early in the year?

One listener asks if you do a Roth conversion early in the year should you be making quarterly tax payments to the IRS? This is a great question to ask your tax professional. If you do your own taxes then the IRS website is the resource to help you with the logistics. Basically, if you have 90-100% of the payments prepaid you won't incur a penalty. This is why it is important to understand what your tax burden will be.

A $200,000 lump sum or $1500 a month payments for life?

To people that love math problems, deciding whether to take a lump-sum or monthly payments may seem as easy as plugging in the numbers. But there are more factors to consider beyond the math. You should examine what your retirement plan looks like. Will you be receiving Social Security payments? Think about your risk tolerance and your longevity as well. Grant helps me answer this common listener question, find out his take on it by pressing play.