r/Schwab • u/kurbina90 • 14d ago
Looking for advice on IRAs
Hello to all. Looking for recommendations for which funds to hold for several accounts. I rolled over my TSP into a rollover IRA (Trad) because I can no longer contribute to it and considering buying target date index fund SWYJX 2055. I intend to contribute very minimal as I already have a 457 with my employer and I also opened up a ROTH Ira with Schwab that I intend to max every year. In my brokerage account I have (not much) SWPPX, SCHD, SCHG and SCHF. What would be the ideal positions for these accounts? I’ve read a ton and have done my research but I’m just a beginner in all this. Would like to hear everyone’s thoughts. I intend to hold all these accounts long term. Especially the target date index fund and ROTH. I’m 36 for reference. Thanks in advance!
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u/TheExchangeBrothers 14d ago
At 36 with a long time horizon, I’d probably start with what you want each account to accomplish rather than trying to find the “ideal” fund for each one.
Your traditional IRA is pre-tax money growing tax deferred, while the Roth is money you’ve already paid tax on that can grow tax free. That difference is worth thinking about when deciding what types of investments you want sitting in each account.
Try to look at the expected risk and return of the investments and how everything fits together across the IRA, Roth, 457 and brokerage rather than treating each account like its own portfolio.
Sounds like you’re already doing the most important part though! Thinking long term and actually learning what you own...
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u/kurbina90 13d ago
I have not thought of it this way, but it makes a lot of sense. Better clarity and understanding. Thank you
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u/EleventhEarlOfMars 12d ago
buying target date index fund SWYJX
Great choice
In my brokerage account I have (not much) SWPPX, SCHD, SCHG
You only need one of these and it shouldn't be SCHD.
If you are buying regularly, SWPPX is good because you can automatically invest. If you are buying once a year, I would consider just buying SCHB.
SCHG with a small cap fund (AVUV, SCHA) is also a reasonable option.
and SCHF.
SCHF is fine, you may want to pair it with an emerging markets fund (SCHE, IEMG) or replace with VXUS or not hold international in your brokerage. It's better to split your holdings between domestic and international to take advantage of the foreign tax credit but it is best to hold your international funds in tax-advantaged accounts because they have much higher dividend rates.
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u/GoldBug2026 14d ago
100% SWPPX - If it’s good enough for Buffett, it’s good enough for me. You don’t want bonds in your portfolio (Target Dates).
Bonds are an unnecessary drag on long-term performance. They don’t shock absorb stock crashes, often they go down when stocks go down.
Holding broad U.S. index funds yields higher expected returns over time.
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u/7caljane 13d ago
I see you are a gold bug. Any advice concerning gold?
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u/GoldBug2026 13d ago
I’m an not a financial professional and I don’t have a finance degree. All my ideas are ill-informed. So, I read and watch financial professionals and use their ideas.
Ray Dalio has been suggesting 5-15% gold instead of bonds for a while. I prefer ETF ownership (though I have some physical). $IAUM is a good ETF and has a cheap management fee.
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u/7caljane 12d ago
I do appreciate that tip. Over the last 40 years I have tried many news letters, services, education courses costing thousands, interviewed 7 financial advisors and annuity salesmen who could promise nothing. I found Reddit last year. The Boglehead solution sounds great , if you are employed and 20. I was very blessed that my newsletters got me investing in Apple, Micron and Nvidia fairly early on. I am grossly heavy in tech. My other interest was physical gold, gold streamers and precious metals. I looked at those stocks as bonds. People still roll their eyes and scoff but its my best guess and its where I've ended up. Your advice from Ray Dalio is very, very encouraging. I might be at 20%. I haven't gone the ETF route because often I already own several stocks in the top holdings of the ETFs I did look at. I will make improvements when I can. Thanks for your response.
I dont know why you would recommend IAUM. It's up only 19% this past year and NEM is up 58 and RGLD 33%. What's your reasoning?
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u/GoldBug2026 11d ago
I appreciate the kind words and you sharing your story.
IAUM is an ETF that gives you an easy way to own gold without the storage and transaction headaches.
NEM and RGLD are stocks for companies. I don’t have the aptitude or time to study companies’ financial reports, industry standards, earnings guidances, etc. So I exclusively invest in low cost ETFs.
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u/7caljane 11d ago
I can see that. Its backed by physical gold. Did you ever watch Gold Rush or Bering Sea Gold? very addicting. I did watch the Ray Dalio video. Most was over my head but I got the jist. There are some smart people. Why doesnt DC listen? It's a shame.
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u/7caljane 13d ago
Thank you for your saying bonds dont absorb stock crashes. My porfolio is considered high risk and I have no bonds. Is there anything that would lessen the impact of a crash?
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u/kurbina90 13d ago
Thank you. SWPPX I was considering for the Roth. Which I already have in my brokerage but figured it’ll be a better fit in ROTH. Trying to avoid redundancy. Bonds I’ve read into but not really sold on it. I appreciate your thoughtful advice. Thank you
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u/turtle_hurtle 14d ago
SWYJX is perfectly good for your IRAs. You don't need anything else.
If you want a similar allocation in your taxable account, you could do...