Interesting article relevant to Mustachians

[dude]

Of course, one must take these kinds of prognostications with a grain of salt, but there is some logic to this stuff.  Of note for this crowd -- future employment opportunities for the graying set, and higher taxes down the road (relevant to Roth conversions, I would think).

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/if-youre-over-40-and-work-youre-in-for-some-big-surprises-2018-03-16

[Rosy]

I think they may be right on the tax increases.
2030 when the last of the baby boomers will be 66 is not really that far off. The crystal balls should slowly become crystal clear -  probably in the next five years.
Good article.

[dude]

I agree. I hadn't planned to do a Roth ladder because I'll have a pension and too much income to do it tax-free like "true" Mustachians, but I think the current tax brackets are the lowest we'll see in my lifetime, and RMDs down the road when I have pension + SS + RMDs are going to have me paying boatloads of taxes. So I'm planning to convert as much as makes sense between the time I retire and age 70 1/2.

[swampwiz]

I don't see this employment boom.  We are in the robot/AI slope, and along with even more globalization, it will overwhelm whatever decrease in the labor pool happens because of the Baby Boomers retiring.  As an "early retired" programmer, when I see firms saying, "any greybeards with experience, no matter how long ago, come and apply!"  then I'll believe it.

[marty998]

I've always found it interesting that old people don't hire their fellow old people...

[sherr]

I've always found it interesting that old people don't hire their fellow old people...

It's not complicated though. More experience == more expensive. Plus also probably less willing to live at the company's beck and call, working odd hours and unpaid overtime, etc.

[rab-bit]

Interesting article.

On the subject of taxes, I've always wondered if the govt will eventually try to work around tax-free Roth withdrawals by implementing a VAT or something similar. Although a VAT or national sales tax would only apply once you actually spend the money. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

[sherr]

Interesting article.

On the subject of taxes, I've always wondered if the govt will eventually try to work around tax-free Roth withdrawals by implementing a VAT or something similar. Although a VAT or national sales tax would only apply once you actually spend the money. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

My thoughts are:
1) Unlikely, because the amount of money stored in Roth accounts will never be significant compared to the amount people make / spend nationally.
2) Even if it does happen the VAT or similar would apply to not-from-Roth money too, so the Roth would still be exactly as valuable as it is today.