How to Avoid a Tax Time Bomb in Retirement (Ep. 185)

Roth conversions may be one of the most overlooked tax planning opportunities in retirement, and the cost of waiting could be staggering. 

With recent legislative changes, longer life expectancies, and compressed inheritance timelines for your heirs, it’s never been more important to get this right.

In this episode of Retirement Unlocked, Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, explains how to spot your best conversion window, why many people miss it, and the strategic tools that can make the move pay off. He also reveals how proactive planning can help reduce Medicare surcharges, reduce the tax burden passed on to your family, and give you far more flexibility in retirement.

If you’re between the ages of 60 and 75, or experiencing a few low-income years before required minimum distributions (RMDs) begin, you could be in a prime window to convert pre-tax retirement savings into tax-free Roth dollars, without triggering a future tax time bomb.

Beyond personal savings, this strategy can also help protect the next generation from inheriting a massive tax liability. But timing, income coordination, and strategic use of tools like Social Security deferral and partial conversions all play a role in whether a Roth move will actually benefit you.

What you can expect from this release:

• Why accountants often overlook this opportunity, and how a CFP® can model your long-term tax impact
• The ideal timeline to explore Roth conversions, especially in the “donut hole” between retirement and RMDs
• How Roth IRAs can minimize Medicare surcharges, reduce required withdrawals, and increase future flexibility
• The multi-generational benefits of converting, including how to shield your heirs from 10-year withdrawal rules
• And more!

Connect with Larry Heller: 

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• Schedule a 20-Minute Call
• Heller Wealth Management
• LinkedIn: Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, CPA
• YouTube: Retirement Unlocked with Larry Heller, CFP®