Does a Roth Conversion Make Sense for You?

Personal guidance from James Mehok, Mehok Wealth Management

Would paying some tax today give you more flexibility in retirement? A Roth conversion can be worth exploring, but the answer depends on your income, time horizon, cash needs and broader financial picture. I help you connect those decisions and coordinate with your tax professional before you act.

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What is a Roth conversion?

A Roth conversion moves eligible retirement assets, such as money in a traditional IRA, into a Roth IRA. Previously untaxed amounts generally become taxable income in the conversion year. Qualified Roth IRA withdrawals are tax-free, and Roth IRA owners do not have required minimum distributions during their lifetime. A conversion does not eliminate investment risk or guarantee a better result.

When might it be worth exploring?

• A lower-income year: Retirement, a career transition or a temporary income decline may create an opportunity to evaluate a partial conversion.
• A window before other income begins: Consider the years before Social Security, pensions or required distributions change your income picture.
• More flexibility later: Holding both pre-tax and Roth assets may give you additional choices when funding future expenses.
• A longer planning horizon: Consider how long the money may remain invested and how paying the tax now affects your other goals.

These are reasons to run the numbers, not automatic reasons to convert. Future tax rates, investment returns and your circumstances are uncertain.

When might waiting or converting less make sense?

A conversion may be less attractive if you expect a lower tax rate when you withdraw the money, need the funds soon, or would strain your emergency reserves to pay the tax. A large conversion can also increase income enough to affect other parts of your plan. Converting a smaller amount over several years is one option to compare with converting now or making no conversion.

Look beyond the tax bracket

The added income can affect deductions, credits and the taxation of Social Security benefits. Higher income can also increase Medicare Part B and prescription drug premiums; those adjustments generally use tax information from two years earlier. If you buy coverage before Medicare, ask your tax professional how a conversion could affect eligibility for premium assistance.

After-tax IRA contributions add another layer: the taxable amount generally reflects the mix of pre-tax money and after-tax basis across traditional, SEP and SIMPLE IRAs under IRS rules. You generally cannot isolate only the after-tax dollars for a tax-free conversion. Required minimum distributions cannot be converted.

How I help you evaluate the decision

My role is to help you understand how a Roth conversion fits your retirement plan, rather than treat it as an isolated account transaction. As an Investment Advisor Representative with Private Advisor Group and a Registered Representative with LPL Financial, I work with you on the retirement, investment and cash-flow decisions surrounding the choice.

1. Start with your goals. We discuss your retirement timeline, spending needs, family priorities and reasons for considering a conversion.
2. Bring the pieces together. We review your retirement accounts, expected income and available cash for taxes, and identify questions for your CPA or tax professional.
3. Compare the tradeoffs. We can explore no conversion, a partial conversion and a staged approach, recognizing that projections depend on assumptions.
4. Coordinate and revisit. Your tax professional confirms the tax consequences. If a conversion fits the agreed plan, we coordinate next steps and review the decision as circumstances change.

Get to know James Mehok or explore retirement planning.

Questions to bring to the conversation

• What income changes do I expect this year and in retirement?
• How would I pay the conversion tax without compromising other priorities?
• Could a conversion affect healthcare costs or other tax benefits?
• When might I need the converted money?
• Have I made nondeductible IRA contributions, and do I have the records?

Important rules before you act

A completed Roth conversion cannot be reversed through recharacterization. Five-year rules and your age can affect the treatment of withdrawals; separate rules apply to qualified distributions and early withdrawals of converted amounts. Taking money from an IRA to pay conversion taxes can create additional tax or early-distribution consequences. Review the details with your tax professional and custodian before moving money.

Let's discuss your retirement picture

Your first conversation is a free, 30–60 minute discovery meeting. We get to know you, your goals and what matters most, and begin understanding your current financial picture. No recommendations are made in this first meeting.

Phone and video meetings are available. In-person meetings in Crown Point, Indiana, are available by appointment only. I respond to conversation requests within one business day.

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Or call (219) 400-0485. Please do not send tax returns, account numbers or other sensitive financial information through the website form.

Explore more retirement questions.

Traditional IRA account owners have considerations to make before performing a Roth IRA conversion. These primarily include income tax consequences on the converted amount in the year of conversion, withdrawal limitations from a Roth IRA, and income limitations for future contributions to a Roth IRA. In addition, if you are required to take a required minimum distribution (RMD) in the year you convert, you must do so before converting to a Roth IRA.

Educational information only; not individualized investment, tax or legal advice. Roth conversions are not suitable for everyone. Tax laws can change, and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Consult your tax and legal professionals regarding your situation. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.

Sources: IRS: Roth IRAs; IRS Publication 590-B; IRS Form 8606 instructions; Social Security: Medicare premiums. Reviewed October 2026.