I'm looking for somewhere to put a couple thousand a month for the next 10-15 years that is going to not only treat me well, but that will provide good returns.

A quick Google search shows that they are rated pretty high, but was wondering if anyone had any personal experience with them.

Better suggestions?

I moved all of my investments to USAA about 2 years ago. To date, I have been very happy with the service I have received from them. Excellent communications, seem very responsive to member needs and desires. As an aside, I also moved most of my banking and insurance needs to USAA.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results, or even indicative. This is particularly true of mutual funds.

How do they stack up against Vanguard, Fidelity et al?

I am a big fan and satisfied long time member of USAA, but that might not be their core competency.

Not eligible to use them, so can't comment directly. They are very well regarded and I would consider them as reputable.

That said, USAA isn't going to offer any special investments you couldn't get elsewhere.

I'd recommend looking at some other brokerages to compare costs and account features before making the call. It's about after-tax returns, less fees, after all.

There are lots of places who will hold your money and let you buy securities....but they vary all over the place with respect in commissions, account charges, etc. I believe USAA returns some of its earnings to customers, so you'd want to net out any rebate that might apply to brokerage activity.

I've had good luck with Schwab and there are other good alternatives in the low-cost brokerage field.

quote:

Originally posted by JALLEN:
Past performance is no guarantee of future results, or even indicative. This is particularly true of mutual funds.

How do they stack up against Vanguard, Fidelity et al?

I am a big fan and satisfied long time member of USAA, but that might not be their core competency.

No experience with USAA but Vanguard's fees are typically only a VERY small percentage.
Just something to consider when performing your analysis.

I buy/sell stocks through them. $8.95/trade. They're quick to respond to questions.

However, I do not believe they offer anything that you can't get elsewhere.

While I used their insurance for many years, I found more coverage with State Farm for a lower premium and subsequently cancelled my USAA car/renter insurance.

Thanks for the input fellas. I think I'll at least give them a call and see what they have to say. I've been very happy with them otherwise (except that they stopped offering MC insurance) so I expect they'll be able to answer my questions.

I use them for IRAs and 529s. I also do most everything else through them. As previously mentioned, they don't offer anything you can't get somewhere else. I'm with USAA for the customer service. Whether it's filing an insurance claim, or transferring funds between accounts, there is zero hassle or fight. The ease of having everything in one spot, and the membership perks also help.

quote:

Originally posted by Edmond:
However, I do not believe they offer anything that you can't get elsewhere.

Leave the investments. Keep your insurance.

I'd backup to what type of $$ are we talking? It sounds like not IRA or other retirement savings?

Do you already fill up the 401k/IRA options? Or whatever you may have available?

I had an IRA with USAA back in the 80's. I still have them for insurance but most else is at Vanguard.

If not in a tax sheltered investment, Vanguard has a few 'tax managed' funds, with varying degrees of risk. With the 10-15 yr time horizon you would have to evaluate how much risk you are willing to accept.

Of course what's right for one person may not be the best choice for the next. Even though I view USAA favorably, I prefer Vanguard for investing.

I use USAA for part of my investments and they are fine. Vanguard can beat almost anybody's fees for their investment vehicles. I'd go with them.

I'm working down my balances in USAA and building up TSP instead which has lower fees than anyone out there.

quote:

Originally posted by deepocean:

quote:

Originally posted by Edmond:
However, I do not believe they offer anything that you can't get elsewhere.

Leave the investments. Keep your insurance.

This, exactly.

quote:

Originally posted by ravens1775:
I use them for IRAs and 529s. I also do most everything else through them. As previously mentioned, they don't offer anything you can't get somewhere else. I'm with USAA for the customer service. Whether it's filing an insurance claim, or transferring funds between accounts, there is zero hassle or fight. The ease of having everything in one spot, and the membership perks also help.

This. I've been with them since I was a midshipman and I trust them more than many other financial institutions out there.