Municipal Bond Forum

I enjoyed your article, “Time Flew, But Interest Rates Didn’t.” We have a lot of money in muni bonds and certain inescapable basics keep coming back to me: Higher return is commensurate with greater risk. In this economy, we can’t get more than 1.5% on $1 million in cash, yet our munis continue to pay. I wonder, with state governments in tough shape, Fed money probably dried up and tax revenues down, is there a colossal muni default lurking? That’s what inhibits me, not interest rates, which, as they rise, signals the market’s acknowledgement of greater risk.

J.S., New Jersey

I do enjoy your occasional remarks about muni bonds very much. Having said that, what is the likelihood that muni bonds could lose their tax-free status?

A.S., Maine

I volunteer for our group that assists deaf and hearing-impaired federal employees. Because we are non-profit, it seems we could get higher yields from taxable bonds. We pay neither federal nor state taxes and are incorporated in Maryland. Can you tell me which type of bonds we should be looking at?

B.H., Maryland

Since my account contains only state and local issues, there should be no negative impact if Treasury bills get downgraded from AAA, correct?

M.B., Florida

In an article on laddering, it seems as though you favor buying longer-term bonds, as opposed to an initial purchase of a laddered portfolio. But then, years down the road, while continuing to add yearly, one will essentially have created a ladder, isn’t that right? Or is your article solely to compare a one-time purchase, and not a continually adding strategy? You stated that one investor felt the ladder was to avoid loss of principle, but as I understand it, the purpose of a ladder is to minimize interest rate risk, no?

D.M.

I’ve been buying municipal bonds from FMSbonds for the past few years. I was expecting no federal income tax on any of them and no state tax on the Arizona and Puerto Rico bonds. But I read recently that tax-free income from muni bonds causes more of social security income to be taxed. Will I end up with less after-tax income than I planned for because all of the muni income is not tax exempt from federal taxes (none of my bonds are AMT)? Does it affect the tax equivalent yield I use in my spreadsheet?

E.S., Arizona

The Washington, D.C. Council voted to, in effect, impose a new income tax of 8.5% on non-D.C. tax-exempt bonds, and to do so retroactively to Jan. 1, 2011. D.C. investors must now choose between just a few D.C. bonds (to remain exempt from D.C.’s income tax) or “out-of-state” bonds (to obtain diversification comparable to any state). What is your recommendation?

N.W.

Do you offer managed accounts in municipal bonds?

A.S.

I zig when others zag. In the past few months, I’ve purchased municipal bonds. I look, as you said, for good ratings and decent returns. I realize that with all the uncertainty in the market there will be constant ups and downs. But with interest rates dropping on tax-free munis (like 15- to 20-year bonds now paying about 3.5% to 4.5%), why aren’t the higher-interest rate munis commanding a larger premium?

W.P.,Florida

We are holding some Buckeye tobacco bonds and I would like to know what would happen if contributions to the Master Settlement Agreement seriously decline. I have read that the likeliest scenario would be the extension of maturity, which would be fine. But what are the other possibilities? I assume that defaults do not just happen overnight, or do they? My wife and I have been working with Saul Rosen for a couple of years now and we think he and your firm is top of the ladder. We appreciate the straightforward business practices and no-nonsense advice.

P.H., Oregon