Should You Convert Traditional IRA to Roth? Think Twice.

Staying on top of your financial health is always important, but it becomes even more critical during periods of economic uncertainty. For investors looking to safeguard their retirement savings, one strategy worth exploring is converting a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. But is it the right move for you?

Thanks to changes made under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), Roth conversions are now permanent and can no longer be undone, making it more critical than ever to weigh the pros and cons carefully before making the switch. To make an informed decision, you should first understand the key differences between traditional and Roth IRAs—and how those differences align with your long-term financial goals.

Traditional IRA

The primary advantage of a traditional IRA is that contributions you make may be wholly or partially tax-deductible. However, that advantage can be reduced or eliminated under certain circumstances. Deductions are phased out if both of these conditions are met:

1. Your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) exceeds a specified level.
2. You (or your spouse if you’re married) are an active participant in an employer-sponsored retirement plan.

Depending on your situation, some or all of the tax benefits of your traditional IRA contributions could be wiped out.

Traditional IRA distributions that are attributable to deductible contributions or growth in the account are taxable at ordinary income rates.

Roth IRA

The primary advantage of a Roth IRA is that qualified distributions from the account are tax-free. Qualified distributions are those made from a Roth IRA that has existed for at least five years, as long as the withdrawal meets one of the following conditions:

• Account holder is 59½ or older.
• Made because of death or disability.
• Used to pay qualified first-time homebuyer expenses (up to a lifetime limit of $10,000).

Nonqualified Roth IRA distributions are taxed at ordinary income rates, subject to special “ordering rules.” When you take a distribution outside of the tax-free parameters noted above, the rules treat contributions as coming out first. Because you already paid tax on those amounts, contributions are exempt from tax when you withdraw them. Next, come conversions and rollover amounts, and finally, earnings. These ordering rules reduce any potential tax liability during the first five years of the account’s existence.

In other words, when you convert assets in a traditional IRA to a Roth, you’re effectively agreeing to pay tax now on accumulated IRA earnings for the opportunity to claim tax-free payouts in the future. But a conversion isn’t a slam dunk by any means.

Key Questions to Ask

Under prior law, you had until October 15 of the same year to reverse (or “recharacterize”) an ill-fated conversion. For example, a reversal might have been advised if you converted the account and then asset values subsequently declined. However, under the TCJA, for 2018 and beyond, you can no longer recharacterize a Roth IRA back into a traditional IRA.

So it’s important to think through the details before you convert to a Roth IRA. Some of the questions to ask when deciding whether (and when) to make a conversion include:

How much tax will you owe? When you convert to a Roth IRA, you must pay tax on the funds transferred, just like a traditional IRA distribution. If your account balance and asset values are high and you expect asset values to drop, a conversion is probably a bad idea. Conversely, if your traditional IRA has been pummeled by a market downturn, the declining value might suggest that a conversion should be considered.

Can you afford the conversion tax bill? A conversion will always come with a tax bill. If you don’t have enough cash on hand to cover the taxes owed on the conversion, you may have to dip into your retirement funds. It’s possible to pay the tax out of the funds being converted, but this will erode your nest egg. The more money you convert and the higher your tax bracket, the bigger the tax hit.

What’s your retirement date? Typically, you wouldn’t convert a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA if your plan is to retire soon and start making withdrawals. Usually, the goal is to allow the funds to grow and compound over time without any tax erosion.

Will your tax rate change in retirement? If you anticipate being in a lower tax bracket when you retire than you’re in now, you may not want to convert — it might be easier to absorb tax on future distributions than it is to pay a conversion tax this year. On the other hand, if you expect to be in a higher tax bracket in retirement than you’re in now, a conversion might be more likely to make sense, absent any other extenuating circumstances. To complicate matters, Congress could change tax rates in the future.

Will you have other sources of retirement income, besides your IRAs? If most of your retirement funds are invested in assets that would trigger taxes on distribution — such as growth stocks or a 401(k) plan — a Roth conversion may provide some flexibility later in life. It can help meet your lifestyle or estate planning objectives without triggering tax on every withdrawal. Because you can’t predict how the tax laws will change over time, it’s a good idea to build some tax diversification into your accounts.

In 2025, IRA Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) generally begin for those who turned 73 in 2024, with the first RMD due by April 1, 2025. Individuals who turn 73 in 2025 will have their first RMD due by April 1, 2026. The RMD amount is based on the account balance at the end of the previous year, using the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table. Failure to take RMDs can result in a 25% penalty on the amount not withdrawn. 

However, there are no mandatory lifetime distributions with a Roth IRA. This can help preserve wealth for your heirs.

Converting a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA isn’t an all-or-nothing deal at a single moment in time. You can convert as much or as little of the money from your traditional IRA as you like. So you might decide to gradually convert your account in order to spread out the tax hit over several years.

Weighing All the Factors

Minimizing your tax liability—both now and in retirement—requires thoughtful planning and a clear understanding of how today’s decisions may impact your future. Because every financial situation is unique, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to Roth conversions. Before making the switch from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA, be sure to consult with your CRI tax advisor to evaluate the potential benefits and trade-offs based on your personal goals, income, and timeline for retirement.