If you (or your spouse, together) have IRAs totaling over $150,000, read on…
Your IRAs Are Ticking Tax Time Bombs!
The typical or “traditional” IRAs you probably have were funded either by your tax-deductible contributions or through a tax-free rollover of your employer retirement plans. In either case, those funds can compound tax-free inside your IRAs until you have to take out required minimum distributions (“RMDs”). The good news is that, thanks to a recent tax law, if you didn’t reach age 70½ in 2019, you now can wait until April 1st of the year after you turn 72 to start taking RMDs. Unfortunately, however, when you do reach that RMD start date, you’re forced to take money out, whether you need it or not, and pay the piper – – both federal and state income taxes! And, if you pass away before withdrawing an entire IRA, your beneficiaries will still have to pay these taxes – – usually quicker and potentially at a higher tax bracket than you!
It’s Time to Defuse This Time Bomb!
You may have previously heard about, or even considered, something called a “Roth IRA Conversion”. (If you have looked at this before, but chose not to do it, please keep reading!) Whenever you convert some or all of your traditional IRA to a Roth IRA, you can take advantage of these substantial benefits:
- You and your spouse are no longer forced to take out RMDs and pay taxes;
- Your IRA money can continue to grow tax-free, so you can have more available to you later in life, when you may need it; and,
- When withdrawals are later taken by you, your spouse or beneficiaries, the money can come out tax-free.
Does This Sound Too Good to Be True?
There used to be some limits on the Roth conversion. Under the old law, there were age or income restrictions. No more.
But there still is one catch.
The amount you convert to a Roth is immediately taxable. In other words, there’s a conversion fee. And, if you’re already taking RMDs, you can’t convert them, you have to take out additional, taxable money to do the conversion. (If I stopped here, no one would do it!)
But, there are two key things yet for you to know.
First, while the upfront tax cost of a conversion may be in the thousands or tens of thousands, the long-term benefit may be hundreds of thousands of dollars (or more!) – – a good trade-off, don’t you think?
Second, there’s tax planning you can do to minimize the potential conversion tax, such as creating or using available deductions, and using your lowest tax brackets by converting a portion of your IRA each year.
Before doing a Roth conversion, you definitely need to weigh the short-term tax cost versus the long-term benefits. For many people, the benefits will outweigh the cost.
So Why Do It Now?
Because There’s a Silver Lining to the
Current Black Cloud Hanging Over the Stock Market!
While the market is down and your IRA is worth less, you can convert to a Roth at a much lower tax cost!
And, when the market later goes up, all the growth on the converted amount can accrue tax-free and be withdrawn later by you, your spouse and loved ones, tax-free!
You’ve heard the adage, “Buy low and sell high.” Well, convert now when your IRAs are low and benefit later when they’re high!
And the Recently Passed Stimulus Bill
May Make Doing It Now Even Better!
If you must by law take an RMD this year, the new “CARES” Act, just signed by the President, allows you to waive it.
This means only the conversion amount – – not both an RMD and the conversion amount – – will be subject to tax this year!
Here’s What You Should Do…RIGHT NOW!
Call our office at 1-800-756-5596 and let us know that you are interested in setting up a free appointment with one of our affiliated financial advisors at Pence Wealth Management. Your individual Roth conversion analysis – – how much makes sense to convert after weighing the current tax cost and future tax and financial benefits – – should be properly done by a Pence advisor or another qualified professional of your choice (there’s more to consider and calculate out than I’ve briefly discussed in this article!).
Regardless of the outcome of your Roth conversion analysis, one thing is for sure. If you wait until the stock market rebounds, you may have lost a golden opportunity!
Do You Need To Speak With An Attorney About Estate Planning?
If you need to speak with an experienced estate planning lawyer please contact us online or call us directly at 800.756.5596 to first register for one of our free, informative seminars. Your attendance will qualify you for a special discount for our estate planning services should you decide to make a free appointment at the conclusion of the seminar and choose to proceed with us. We proudly serve clients throughout California with offices in Torrance, Newport Beach, Orange, Woodland Hills and Pasadena.
