Why Should You Consider a Roth IRA Conversion?

  • Tax-free growth and withdrawals
  • Control over future tax exposure
  • Efficient conversion pricing
  • Simplified estate planning

Download Our Roth Conversion Guide

Explore the pros and cons of using an IRA Rollover to move money from your Traditional IRA to a Roth account.

Why roll over to an IRA?

It is a process that allows you to move funds from your previous employer-sponsored retirement plan, a 401(k), for example, into an IRA. When you roll over your old retirement account into an IRA, you can preserve the tax-deferred status of your retirement assets without paying current taxes or early withdrawal penalties at the time of transfer.

Benefits of rolling over to an IRA

  • A tax-smart way to keep your money invested and avoid withdrawal penalties – You can preserve the tax-deferred status of your retirement assets without paying current taxes or early withdrawal penalties at the time of transfer.
  • Pay no annual fees – Unlike most plans, with a Lyons Wealth IRA, there are no account open or maintenance fees, regardless of your account balance or how often you trade. Other account fees, fund expenses, and brokerage commissions may apply.
  • Wide range of investment choices – Take advantage of an array of investment choices, including stocks, bonds, CDs, ETFs, and mutual funds that may meet your retirement goals and risk tolerance.

Three costly Roth conversion mistakes

  • Converting too much – Push yourself into a higher tax bracket and pay more than you needed to — a mistake that’s impossible to undo after the deadline.
  • Converting too little – Leave money in a traditional IRA that could have grown tax-free. Over a decade, the missed compounding adds up to tens of thousands.
  • Wrong timing – A conversion in a high-income year — or just before a market dip — can mean paying taxes on value you’ll never see. Timing is everything.

How to get started

Follow our three-step process to roll over your old 401(k) or other employer-sponsored account into a Schwab IRA and take control of your retirement savings.

  1. Open a Lyons Wealth IRA – Apply for an IRA to get started. If you already have an IRA you can go right to Step 2.
  2. Fund your account
    • Complete any forms required by your former employer.
    • Decide how you want your retirement assets distributed.
    • Ask your employer to deposit your funds directly into your Lyons Wealth IRA.
    • Give your employer your Lyons Wealth IRA account number and ask them to include it on the check, to avoid potential hold time.
  3. Invest your funds – Contact us for guidance on how to make the most of your retirement savings.

Does converting make sense?

For many individuals, converting to a Roth IRA may make sense. However, you should consult with a tax advisor and consider the following factors prior to making your decision:

    1. Can you pay the taxes? – This is the big question for most folks. The amount you choose to convert (you don’t have to convert the entire account) will be taxed as ordinary income in the year you convert. So, you’ll need to have enough cash saved to pay the taxes on the amount you convert. Keep in mind: This additional income could also push you into a higher marginal federal income tax bracket.
    2. Is time on your side? – The relative benefits of conversion will generally increase the longer your money remains in the Roth IRA. Specifically, if you need that money in less than 5 years, converting is generally not a good idea. If you’re age 50 or older, learn more in our Viewpoints article on Roth conversions specifically addressing your considerations.
    3. Will you earn the same or more in retirement? – If you think your tax rate will be the same or higher in retirement, converting now could make sense. Why? Because Roth IRAs do not have required minimum distributions (RMDs) during the lifetime of the original owner. That means you could convert now and just keep giving the money a chance to grow, untaxed, without withdrawing. (Keep in mind: If you are required to take an RMD in the year you convert to a Roth IRA, you must do so before converting.)
    4. Do any of these other scenarios apply to you?
      • You think the value of your IRA investments is hitting a low point.
      • You have other losses or deductions to offset the tax due on the conversion.
      • You are moving to a state with higher income taxes.

If so, a conversion may also make sense for you.

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