Roth IRA: Convert Now or Pay Later?
Why the tax-code change should put a hurry-up on your decision to convert a traditional IRA into a Roth.

The wait is over.
If you were delaying your plans to do a Roth conversion until you knew for sure that President Trump could deliver on his tax cut promises, you have your answer.
Now is the time. And the clock may be ticking. It’s likely these low tax rates won’t last until you retire — even if your retirement isn’t all that far off.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
That’s because even though it may be great for the short term, most economic models, including that of Congress’ own Joint Committee on Taxation, show this tax plan will add at least $1 trillion to the nation’s debt over the next decade.
The problem is the government keeps kicking our debt can down the road, leaving it for some future generation to figure out. Meanwhile, the amount keeps growing — and it’s already more than $20 trillion, making it the largest national debt in the world.
And if the Fed continues to raise interest rates, the rates on government securities also will rise, which could add to the problem.
There are only a few ways this staggering burden can be reduced:
- The government can cut spending. (But it doesn’t like that idea much.)
- It can drive economic growth at a faster rate than the debt. (Republicans say this tax cut will accomplish that.)
- Or it can raise revenue by raising taxes.
If that happens and you’ve accumulated a hefty sum in your traditional IRA or 401(k) — as most workers have been trained to do over the past three decades — you could be in for a nasty surprise when you’re ready to withdraw those tax-deferred funds. (Or when you’re forced to take required minimum distributions at age 70½.)
And there’s no telling when a tax increase could happen. It could be in three years, if Trump isn’t re-elected — or maybe 10 or 20 years from now.
Think of this as a fire sale. We’re going to have much lower tax rates for at least the next few years. If you file a joint return, you can make as much as $315,000 and still be in a 24% tax bracket. So there’s a lot of room to start moving money out of traditional retirement plans and into a tax-free Roth.
Of course, to do that, you’ll have to pay the taxes on the money you withdraw now. But you should ask yourself: Would I rather pay 24% now or potentially pay 40%, 50% or more in the future?
Those percentages aren’t unprecedented.
Right now, for 2018, the highest rate you can be taxed at is 37%. In 1917, the highest tax rate jumped from 15% to 67% — and to 77% in 1918. In 1932, Congress raised taxes on top earners from 25% to 63%. And in 1944, the top rate peaked at 94% on taxable income over $200,000.
If you’ve been a diligent saver — putting money into your tax-deferred account for years and building a significant nest egg — this is an important decision to make, and the window could be narrow. Talk to your tax accountant and/or financial adviser now about the advantages of a Roth conversion and how it would fit in your overall retirement plan.
Kurt Supe and John Culpepper offer securities through cfd Investments, Inc., Registered Broker/Dealer, Member FINRA & SIPC, and Kurt Supe offers advisory services through Creative Financial Designs, Inc., Registered Investment Adviser. Creative Financial Group is a separate unaffiliated company. The CFD Companies do not provide legal or tax advice. Neither Creative Financial Group nor the CFD Companies are associated with SmartVestor or Ramsey Solutions. Neither SmartVestor nor Ramsey Solutions recommend or make an endorsement for services provided under the SmartVestor program.
Kim Franke-Folstad contributed to this article.
Get Kiplinger Today newsletter — free
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.
Kurt Supe is a certified public accountant and financial adviser as well as senior partner and co-founder of Creative Financial Group (www.creativefinancialgrp.com). He holds a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Kentucky and has nearly 20 years of experience in the financial services industry.
-
Is Indulging Your Vice Putting Your Retirement at Risk?
From alcohol to gambling, adults spend a lot of money pursuing their vices, but are they jeopardizing their retirement nest eggs?
By Donna Fuscaldo Published
-
Stock Market Today: Investors Respond to the Usual Uncertainty
Stocks surged late but the major indexes closed mixed as the search for market leadership continues.
By David Dittman Published
-
Trump Wants You Out of the IRS, But You'll Have to Wait Until May
IRS Some IRS employees won’t be able to resign using the buyout offer until the end of tax season.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Published
-
The Best ROI? Investing in Yourself This Year
If personal growth is something you invest in only after taking care of all other priorities, it's time to turn that mindset on its head. Here's how to start.
By Frank J. Legan Published
-
The Four Worst Mistakes to Make When Selling Your Business
From ignoring potential buyers to failing to consider what you'll do once you've stopped working, here are the key mistakes to avoid when selling a business.
By Evan T. Beach, CFP®, AWMA® Published
-
Key Family Tax Breaks Are on the GOP Chopping Block This Year
Tax Credits Several tax breaks, including the Child Tax Credit, may face reforms or be cut entirely as lawmakers seek revenue for Trump’s tax plans.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Last updated
-
Market Volatility Tempting You to Get Out? Read This First
If you're retired, or soon will be, riding out a roller-coaster market can be nerve-racking. Try to hold steady and focus on balancing your investments.
By Lauren Ivester Published
-
Five Strategies to Defer Capital Gains in Real Estate Investing
These powerful strategies, from timing your sales during low-income years to leveraging qualified opportunity zones, can defer capital gains taxes on your real estate investments.
By Daniel Goodwin Published
-
Retirement Income Planning for Unfunded Health Care Costs
Retirement income plans often don't include late-in-life health or long-term care expenses. Here's how to cover for the unplanned withdrawals to pay for those.
By Jerry Golden, Investment Adviser Representative Published
-
Federal Employees Buyout Offer: Five Things to Consider
Federal workers have a constellation of retirement benefits, and assessing them can get complicated fast. Here are five high-stakes decisions to focus on.
By Ben Kautz, CFP® Published