Social Security, HSA Contributions, Liquidity Account, ETFs: Q&A #2645

Chris is joined by Jacob to discuss listener emails on withdrawing an early Social Security claim to collect survivor benefits, how Medicare Part A back-dating can affect HSA contributions, details of a liquidity account, buffered ETFs, and buying a protection ETF after its outcome date.

(10:00) George asks whether a husband who claimed Social Security at 62 could withdraw his application within 12 months after his wife’s death, collect survivor benefits on her record, and later switch to his own benefit at 70.

(20:45) A listener points out that Medicare Part A’s six-month retroactive coverage may be counted back from when a Social Security appointment is made rather than when benefits begin, which can affect when HSA contributions need to stop.

(26:00) The guys get a request to define the liquidity account term heard on recent episodes, including how it is funded, how often it is replenished, and how much it should hold.

(37:30) Chris and Jacob field a question on how to gauge the historical performance of buffered ETFs and what happens to the cap and buffer if one is sold before the outcome period ends.

(58:30) A listener wonders how buying a structured protection ETF after its outcome date changes the cap rate and downside protection, and whether lower caps still compare favorably with CD rates.