With Taxes on Sale, Consider a Roth Conversion to Make the Most of Lower Rates
Judging whether you’re a good candidate for a Roth IRA conversion requires some thought, but if you answer yes to these three questions, it could be worth considering.
Financial professionals have long debated the pros and cons, timing and how-tos of converting a traditional IRA into a Roth IRA.
Is it a good idea for you? Unfortunately, the short answer is, “It depends.” The longer answer involves predicting your income and income-tax bracket over many years — something that isn’t easy to do.
3 Questions to Assess Your Own Situation
You’d be wise to tap into the knowledge of your own tax and financial advisers, maybe even your estate attorney, to help you look at your personal situation. But you can start by asking yourself these questions:
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free 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.
If, like most people I talk to, your answer to all three questions is yes, then now may very well be the right time to explore converting some of your traditional IRA dollars to a Roth. Because, thanks to the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, taxes are on sale.
No matter what you think about these tax reforms and what the long-range consequences will be for the country, the fact is that many people will pay less in taxes this year and until at least 2025. All the marginal tax brackets have been lowered except for couples and singles in the $400,000 range. And standard deduction amounts have increased to $12,000 for individuals, $18,000 for heads of household and $24,000 for married couples filing jointly and surviving spouses.
Fill Up Your Tax ‘Buckets’
Which means it’s time to take another look at your nest egg and how it’s built around the three tax “buckets” with taxable, tax-deferred and tax-free investments and savings.
If you’re like many savers, your tax-deferred bucket has been filling up slowly but surely over the years, as you’ve contributed regularly to a 401(k), 403(b) or some other workplace plan. And that’s great — except, depending on your future income, you could face weighty tax bills in the future, when you start withdrawals. Meanwhile, your tax-free bucket — which holds Roth accounts, most municipal bonds and properly structured cash-value life insurance — is likely lacking.
By converting some of the money in your tax-deferred bucket to your tax-free bucket, you can even things up. Yes, you’ll pay taxes now on the money you move, but with today’s lower tax rates, the bite might not be nearly as bad as it could be later. And in exchange, your Roth will give you tax-free growth and withdrawals going forward.
Final Thoughts
Your advisers may have preached before about eventually diversifying across all three tax buckets, but with these recent tax reforms, the concept takes on a bit of urgency. There are no limits on how much money you can move to a Roth IRA each year, but with careful planning you can avoid bumping yourself into the next tax bracket as you convert those savings. (Retirees also will want to be mindful about what extra withdrawals could do to the cost of Medicare.)
As a member of Ed Slott’s Master Elite IRA Advisor Group, I’m always trying to help people create tax-efficient strategies with their retirement income savings. Looking at a Roth conversion now is just one more way to do that. Take some time, do the math and see if it fits with your plan.
Kim Franke-Folstad contributed to this article.
Securities offered through Kalos Capital Inc. and Investment Advisory Services offered through Kalos Management Inc. Retirement Income Strategies is not an affiliate or subsidiary of Kalos Capita, Inc. or Kalos Management Inc.
Individuals should consult with a qualified professional for guidance before making any purchasing decisions.
- Do you think, between now and your death, tax rates will go higher?
- Do you expect the value of your retirement accounts to increase?
- If you had the opportunity to pay taxes on your retirement savings at a lower rate right now, would you grab it?
The appearances in Kiplinger were obtained through a PR program. The columnist received assistance from a public relations firm in preparing this piece for submission to Kiplinger.com. Kiplinger was not compensated in any way.
-
Don't Overpay the IRS: 6 Tax Mistakes That Could Be Raising Your BillTax Tips Is your income tax bill bigger than expected? Here's how you should prepare for next year.
-
Flashback Finance: The Cost of Retiring the Year You Were BornJust like groceries, gas and home prices, the cost of retiring is subject to inflation. Here is a look at what it cost to retire in the year you were born.
-
How One Hospital Visit Overseas Could Wreck Your FinancesProper planning can give you peace of mind and protection, regardless of what happens on your trips.
-
Your Guide to Financial Stability as a Military Spouse, Courtesy of a Financial PlannerThese practical resources and benefits can help military spouses with managing a budget, tax and retirement planning, as well as supporting their own career
-
Today's Senior Living Communities Are Not Your Grandma's 'Old Folks' Home': An Expert Guide to Shopping for the Right FitSenior living facilities have improved and are as diverse as the people who inhabit them. Now, they're more than just a place to go — they're a place to grow.
-
Should You Consider Investing in the Quantum Computing Sector? This Investment Adviser Has Some SuggestionsInvestors interested in quantum computing could consider ETFs focused on cloud services enabling small businesses to use big technology.
-
I'm an Estate Planning Attorney: These Are the Estate Plan Details You Need to Discuss (And What to Keep Private)Gen Xers and Millennials would like to know if they're going to inherit (and how much), but Baby Boomers in general don't like to talk about money. What to do?
-
I'm a Financial Adviser: This Is How You Can Minimize the Damage of Bad Market Timing at RetirementPoor investment returns early in retirement on top of withdrawals can quickly drain your savings. The ideal plan helps prevent having to sell assets at a loss.
-
7 Questions to Help Kick Off an Estate Planning Talk With Your ParentsIt can be hard for aging parents to discuss estate plans — and for adult kids to broach the topic. Here are seven questions to get the conversation started
-
What Not to Do After Inheriting Wealth: 4 Mistakes That Could Cost You EverythingGen X and Millennials are expected to receive trillions of dollars in inheritance. Unless it's managed properly, the money could slip through their fingers.
-
'The Money Prism' Solves Retirement Money's Biggest Headache: Here's HowThis simple, three-zone system (Blue for bills, Green for paycheck, Red for growth) helps you organize your retirement savings by purpose and time.
