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Roth IRAs & Conversions

Found 25 Articles.
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Roth Conversions When Tax Reform Is in the Works

September 28, 2017

The potential for major tax reform or tax cuts makes it harder to decide this year whether to convert a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. Congressional leaders and President Trump say they are determined to push through tax reform this year. We don’t know details yet, but it’s clear that individual income tax rates […]

Arranging Your Finances to Make an IRA Conversion Less Costly

December 27, 2016

Last month, we addressed the different factors to consider when evaluating whether it makes sense to convert a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. While a Roth IRA has many benefits, there is a cost to the conversion. You have to include the converted amount in gross income as though it were distributed to you […]

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Five Proven Ways to Reduce the Mortgage on your IRA

April 1, 2006

Most people who are busy accumulating large balances in their IRAs and 401(k)s forget that the IRS holds a mortgage on those accounts. You put pre-tax dollars in the accounts and let income and gains compound tax deferred. But that balance in the IRA is not all yours. The price for those tax breaks is […]

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The New Roth 401(k): Who Benefits?

February 1, 2006

Should you start deferring money into a Roth 401(k) account instead of a traditional 401(k) plan? Many of you still do not have access to the Roth 401(k) plans that first became available this year. But a number of you do, and many more will next year as employers add them to their plans. The […]

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How to Maximize the Benefits of a Roth IRA Conversion

November 1, 2005

Converting a regular IRA to a Roth IRA can be a shrewd financial move. See September’s visit for details. This month we’re going to discuss how to establish a plan that will multiply the benefits of a conversion. There are two key rules that can be used to develop the most effective Roth conversion plan. […]

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When To Convert Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA

September 1, 2005

Converting a regular IRA into a Roth IRA has several advantages for seasoned citizens, and it can benefit their heirs. A recent law makes it easier for some seasoned citizens to convert their IRAs. This is a good time of year to consider converting your regular IRA into a Roth IRA. A conversion is allowed […]

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IRAs for Grandkids

September 1, 2005

Grandparents can give a big boost to the finances of their grandchildren who earned money from summer jobs. They can help make contributions to a Roth IRA and begin building a tax-free nest egg. A contribution to a Roth IRA can be made by anyone who has earned income and whose adjusted gross income is […]

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Are IRAs, 401ks Still Good Ideas?

September 1, 2004

Many aspects of retirement planning changed over the last decade. One piece of conventional wisdom that has endured is to maximize contributions to IRAs and 401(k) plans. I’ve questioned that in the past, and it is time again to question this advice. IRAs and 401(k)s are tax shelters. Changes in the tax law alter the […]

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