Is a Roth conversion worth it?
Converting means paying tax now in exchange for tax-free growth and withdrawals later. Whether that trade is worth it depends on your tax rate today versus your tax rate down the road. See how the assumptions change the answer.
Compare converting vs. staying put
Adjust the assumptions to see how the two paths compare after taxes.
Educational comparison, not tax advice. Roth conversions are taxable events in the year you convert. This illustration excludes state taxes, IRMAA (Medicare premium surcharges), and where the tax on the conversion itself is paid from — all of which can change the real-world answer. Talk to your tax professional before converting.
The right conversion amount — and the right year to do it — depends on your full tax picture, not just these five numbers.
Schedule a Free ConsultationThe math depends entirely on your assumptions
Converting in a low-income year helps most
A gap year between jobs, an early-retirement year before Social Security starts, or a year with unusually low income can make conversions especially effective.
Paying the tax from outside the account matters
Using other savings to pay the conversion tax — instead of the IRA itself — keeps more money working inside the Roth.
It can shrink future RMDs
Money converted to a Roth is no longer subject to Required Minimum Distributions, which can reduce taxable income later in retirement.
Multi-year conversions often beat one large one
Spreading conversions across several years can avoid pushing you into a much higher bracket in any single year.
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