numberconvert.com

Manage your Roth IRA strategy

Toggle between contribution comparisons and conversion planning powered by your exact tax profile.

Dual scenario analysis

Roth vs Traditional snapshot

Quantifies taxes now vs later using all of your assumptions.

Roth Advantage
🏆 Roth IRA wins
Advantage: $268,194
Roth IRA is better. You're in a lower tax bracket now (22%) than expected in retirement (24%). Pay taxes at the lower rate now.

Roth after-tax value

$1,117,475

Traditional after-tax value

$849,281

Lifetime tax swing

$221,994

Tax advantage confidence31.6%

Combined after-tax value $1,966,755 across both strategies.

Personal information

Demographics and household tax profile.

Profile
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IRA details & assumptions

Contribution pace, balances, and return expectations.

IRS limit

Catch-up contributions automatically apply when age 50+.

1037
1037
015

Side-by-side comparison

Visualize balances, tax drag, and after-tax value.

MetricTraditionalRothDifference
Total contributed$260,000$260,000Same
Balance at retirement$1,117,475$1,117,475Same
Taxes paid (lifetime)$268,194$46,200$221,994
Net after-tax value$849,281$1,117,475$268,194

Key concepts

Refresh IRA fundamentals and conversion timing tips.

Tax now or tax later?

The fundamental choice:

  • Traditional: Tax deduction NOW, pay taxes LATER (in retirement)
  • Roth: Pay taxes NOW, tax-free LATER (in retirement)
  • Conversion: Already taxed once, pay taxes again NOW for tax-free LATER

Simple rule:

  • Lower tax bracket NOW → Pay taxes now (Roth)
  • Higher tax bracket NOW → Defer taxes (Traditional)
  • Expect higher taxes LATER → Pay taxes now (Roth/Conversion)
The RMD problem

Traditional IRA requires withdrawals starting age 73:

  • Forced taxable income whether you need it or not
  • Can push you into higher tax brackets
  • Makes more Social Security taxable (up to 85%)
  • Triggers Medicare surcharges (IRMAA)
  • Reduces control over your retirement income

Roth IRA has NO RMDs:

  • Let it grow as long as you want
  • Withdraw only what you need
  • More control over tax situation
  • Better for estate planning
Optimal conversion timing

Best times to convert:

  • Low-income years: Job loss, sabbatical, early retirement gap years
  • Before RMDs start (age 73): Maximize tax-free growth years
  • Market downturns: Convert at lower values, capture recovery in Roth
  • Before Social Security (62-70): Avoid stacking income sources
  • Before Medicare (age 65): Avoid IRMAA surcharges

Worst times to convert:

  • Peak earning years (high tax brackets)
  • After RMDs start (stacks with RMD income)
  • After age 65 if near IRMAA thresholds