Is It a Good Time to Buy I Bonds? (FQF)

This week on Five Question Friday (FQF):

Question 1: What will the new I bond rate be on November 1, and is it worth buying?

Question 2: Can you convert your required minimum distribution directly into a Roth IRA?

Question 3: If returns average 8% to 9%, why doesn't a 4% withdrawal last forever?

Question 4: Why would one spouse claim Social Security at 62 and the other at 70?

Question 5: How should a married couple invest when one spouse is more conservative than the other?

Resources mentioned in the video:

Tipswatch on the November I bond rate: https://tipswatch.com/2026/10/14/september-inflation-sets-i-bond-variable-rate-at-4-08-social-security-cola-will-be-3-6/

TreasuryDirect I bond rates: https://www.treasurydirect.gov/savings-bonds/i-bonds/i-bonds-interest-rates/

IRS Publication 590-A: https://www.irs.gov/publications/p590a

Treasury Regulation 1.408A-4: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-26/chapter-I/subchapter-A/part-1/section-1.408A-4

Bengen's 1994 paper: https://robberger.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/retailinvestor.org_pdf_Bengen1.pdf

FI Calc: https://ficalc.app

Social Security at 62 or 70 If Benefits Get Cut: https://youtu.be/RqDQlNq_jA4

SSA actuarial life table: https://www.ssa.gov/oact/STATS/table4c6.html

Open Social Security: https://opensocialsecurity.com

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0:00 Intro: this week's five questions
1:01 The new I bond rate on November 1
3:55 Converting your RMD to a Roth
6:01 The 4% rule when stocks return 8%
9:10 Social Security: one spouse at 62, one at 70
14:02 Spouses who disagree about risk

ABOUT ME

While still working as a trial attorney in the securities field, I started writing about personal finance and investing In 2007. In 2013 I started the Doughroller Money Podcast, which has been downloaded millions of times. I've since sold my websites, bought them back, and started a new website and this YouTube channel.

I'm also the author of Retire Before Mom and Dad--The Simple Numbers Behind a Lifetime of Financial Freedom (https://amzn.to/3by10EE)

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