Tired of trying to meet all the rules on traditional tax-deferred saving plans? Consider switching to a Roth IRA.
Contributions to a Roth IRA are not tax-deductible. But, unlike a traditional IRA, you don’t have to start taking money out (or stop putting money in) at age 70 1/2. And, after five years or age 59 1/2 (whichever is later), distributions to you and your beneficiaries will be income tax-FREE.
You can convert some or all of your traditional IRA if your adjusted gross income is $100,000 or less. The same income limit applies to individuals and married couples filing jointly. (Married couples filing separately cannot convert.)
TIP: Income taxes will be due on the amount you convert, just as if you made a withdrawal. But it can be well worth it. You can also set up a new Roth IRA and make after-tax contributions to it.
TIP: If you want to convert, start planning now. You may even be able to defer income to get under the $100,000 AGI limit.
TIP: You can only convert from a traditional IRA. If your money is in a pension, 401(k), etc., you must roll it into a traditional IRA first and then convert.
Consider converting to a Roth if:
1. Your IRA is small and/or you are in a low tax bracket.
2. You made non-deductible contributions that won’t be taxed when you convert.
3. Your retirement tax bracket will be the same or higher than now.
4. You can pay the tax without dipping into your IRA.
5. You won’t need your IRA in retirement and want to let it keep growing tax-free.
6. You are already taking distributions and want to eliminate the annual distribution.
This article reproduced from Monty L. Donohew’s Online Estate Planning Learning Center, with permission of the author. For more on estate planning, successorship planning, asset protection, wills, trusts and probate, visit the web site at: http://estateplanning.com/avoidingprobate
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