u/Flaky_Calligrapher62

I've had a rollover IRA with Vanguard for over a decade. Very happy with them, no problems. Yesterday, I received an email from someone claiming to work for Vanguard and wanting to set up an appointment to talk as soon as possible. I've never been contacted by Vanguard this way in all the years I've had an account with them. Has anyone else experienced this and was it on the level? If it's a scam, I'm worried about how he knows I have a Vanguard account and what he's up to.

I recently was talking to a financial adviser at my bank about how to handle a large check to funnel it into employer-sponsored retirement accounts. At one point, she asked if I had any other plans for the money. When I said that a portion of it was going to some needed house repairs, she said I should take out a HELOC instead b/c I could have it in place in case I need it later. At first, I thought she was suggesting a home equity loan (you know, the rebranded second mortgage) at just dismissed the idea entirely. But she describes the HELOC as being more like a credit card that you can use or not.

I would like a clearer, unbiased explanation of how a HELOC works and I would also appreciate advice about whether I should consider opening one and, regardless of the answer to that, should I pay cash for repairs or consider using the HELOC.

I was just in a benefits meeting last week in which it was stated that our insurance in retirement would come from ERS. When I looked at the ERS website, it looks like they have a Medicare Advantage plan. Can anyone tell me anything about it? Have you used it for long? Can we opt out? Are you satisfied with it? Can you choose your own doctors? Is it good state-wide if you move? What about out-of-state services?

Any information at all would be welcome!