I like that approach as well. I’ve used the safe harbor and withholding route the past few years and will continue to. I like the Traditional IRA distribution with oversized withholding if needed to meet the safe harbor number.
What Randy said: of course it is. It may not be a literal tax directly on distribution from the account, but it is absolutely a way to tap the wealth in those accounts in a way contrary to their tax free structure, intention and “promise.”
The comment that 90% of all IRA $’s are traditional and 10% are Roth just got through my head. Roth accounts became available in 1998 so obviously most Roth account holders are on the younger side and this 10% will grow over time. The support for including Roth distributions in income calculations for SS makes sense as a case of “don’t raise my taxes, raise those of these other people who bought into the tax free promise of Roth accounts.”
Bizarre indeed! Hence my earlier wondering if Roths being taxed in some way isn’t as far fetched as one might have once thought, with commenters on this very thread seeming to support it.
For reasons already covered by others, I disagree with taxing Roths, including stealth taxation by counting Roth distributions as income for calculating any other tax or surcharge paid to the government. However, I’d be happy to simply pay tax on 100% of the social security benefit and ditch the income calculation. As Marilyn said the ones paying the tax don’t need the safety net.
It occurs to me that in most conversations about Roth conversions, someone brings up “assuming Congress doesn’t decide to tax Roths.” Then the conversation moves on as if that would never happen. From the sound of some comments below, I wonder whether the possibility of cooking up public support for such a change isn’t so far-fetched. Converters beware.
From what I’ve read, Roth conversions very rarely make sense for an 80 year old. The main benefit of doing it is long term tax free growth, and at that point the time horizon is likely short and RMDs are well under way, so the benefit really isn’t there. If I were in your place, I’d take Roth conversions off my list of things to think about.
Comments
I like that approach as well. I’ve used the safe harbor and withholding route the past few years and will continue to. I like the Traditional IRA distribution with oversized withholding if needed to meet the safe harbor number.
Post: If Retirement is Getting Close
Link to comment from August 19, 2026
What Randy said: of course it is. It may not be a literal tax directly on distribution from the account, but it is absolutely a way to tap the wealth in those accounts in a way contrary to their tax free structure, intention and “promise.”
Post: Income taxes on retirees with Social Security
Link to comment from August 18, 2026
The comment that 90% of all IRA $’s are traditional and 10% are Roth just got through my head. Roth accounts became available in 1998 so obviously most Roth account holders are on the younger side and this 10% will grow over time. The support for including Roth distributions in income calculations for SS makes sense as a case of “don’t raise my taxes, raise those of these other people who bought into the tax free promise of Roth accounts.”
Post: Income taxes on retirees with Social Security
Link to comment from August 18, 2026
Bizarre indeed! Hence my earlier wondering if Roths being taxed in some way isn’t as far fetched as one might have once thought, with commenters on this very thread seeming to support it.
Post: Income taxes on retirees with Social Security
Link to comment from August 17, 2026
For reasons already covered by others, I disagree with taxing Roths, including stealth taxation by counting Roth distributions as income for calculating any other tax or surcharge paid to the government. However, I’d be happy to simply pay tax on 100% of the social security benefit and ditch the income calculation. As Marilyn said the ones paying the tax don’t need the safety net.
Post: Income taxes on retirees with Social Security
Link to comment from August 17, 2026
It occurs to me that in most conversations about Roth conversions, someone brings up “assuming Congress doesn’t decide to tax Roths.” Then the conversation moves on as if that would never happen. From the sound of some comments below, I wonder whether the possibility of cooking up public support for such a change isn’t so far-fetched. Converters beware.
Post: Income taxes on retirees with Social Security
Link to comment from August 16, 2026
My signup date approaches. It’ll be original Medicare.
Post: Medicare Advantage Part C — Not too soon to start planning for 2027
Link to comment from August 13, 2026
Professor Wang’s is a smart way to look at it.
Post: Roth Conversions and Taxes
Link to comment from August 12, 2026
I can understand your thinking and it has clearly worked for you, but I don’t think it’s necessarily good advice for most.
Post: What is the right percentage?
Link to comment from August 12, 2026
From what I’ve read, Roth conversions very rarely make sense for an 80 year old. The main benefit of doing it is long term tax free growth, and at that point the time horizon is likely short and RMDs are well under way, so the benefit really isn’t there. If I were in your place, I’d take Roth conversions off my list of things to think about.
Post: Roth Conversions and Taxes
Link to comment from August 11, 2026