Category Archives: Retirement

The unique serenity of holding TIPS at TreasuryDirect

Posted on February 2, 2025 by Tipswatch

By David Enna, Tipswatch.com Want to find your happy place? Sometimes you have to go your own way. The consensus advice is to buy individual Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities in a tax-deferred account, most likely a traditional IRA. These bonds pay … Continue reading →

Posted in Cash alternatives, Inflation, Investing in TIPS, Retirement, Taxes, TreasuryDirect | 36 Comments

Medicare costs for 2025, once again, are rising faster than inflation

Posted on November 15, 2024 by Tipswatch

Part B costs, deductibles and IRMAA surcharges will increase about 5.9% next year. By David Enna, Tipswatch.com Just a month ago, Social Security beneficiaries learned their benefits would rise by 2.5% starting in 2025, the lowest increase in four years. … Continue reading →

Posted in Inflation, Medicare, Retirement | Tagged IRMAA | 21 Comments

Now is a great time to build (or improve) a long-term TIPS ladder

Posted on November 10, 2024 by Tipswatch

By David Enna, Tipswatch.com Because of a remarkable confluence of events, including last week’s presidential election result, real and nominal yields for U.S. Treasurys have been rising dramatically, up 40 to 50 basis points since October 1. But this article … Continue reading →

Posted in Cash alternatives, Federal Reserve, Inflation, Investing in TIPS, Retirement, TreasuryDirect | 76 Comments

Treasury sets I Bond’s fixed rate at 1.20%, composite rate falls to 3.11%

Posted on October 31, 2024 by Tipswatch

But … no clarification yet on delivery of gift-box purchases. By David Enna, Tipswatch.com The U.S. Treasury just announced a 1.20% fixed interest rate for the Series I Savings Bond, creating a new six-month composite rate of 3.11% for purchases … Continue reading →

Posted in Cash alternatives, I Bond, Inflation, Retirement, Savings Bond, TreasuryDirect | 23 Comments

Print journalism: For me, it’s the end to an era

Posted on October 3, 2024 by Tipswatch

Newspaper companies once had a near-monopoly on local advertising. But the best businesses have to keep adapting. By David Enna, Tipswatch.com Today, after 38 1/2 continuous years, I let my subscription to the printed Charlotte Observer expire. I hoped to … Continue reading →