Question 1

What is the #1 Roth conversion timing mistake?

Accepted Answer

Doing a single large conversion in the wrong year — usually a year with high ordinary income or before the lowest-income "conversion window" between retirement and age 73 (when RMDs begin).

Question 2

I'm in my 70s — isn't it too late?

Accepted Answer

No. Conversions still make sense for legacy planning (beneficiaries inherit Roths tax-free vs. paying income tax on traditional IRA withdrawals) and for protecting a surviving spouse from higher single-filer brackets.

Question 3

I don't want to pay taxes now — why would I convert?

Accepted Answer

Would you rather pay taxes on the seed or on the harvest? With $500K in a Traditional IRA growing to $1M, you'll pay taxes on the full million at future rates. A conversion pays taxes on the $500K today at known rates and lets the growth be tax-free.

Question 4

What if tax rates go down instead of up?

Accepted Answer

Historically, rates are near all-time lows and the national debt math suggests they'll rise. Even if rates stay flat, conversions still win via avoided RMDs, tax-free growth for life, and tax-free inheritance.

Question 5

How does the Model Q® Roth Strategy differ from doing it myself or using a generalist advisor?

Accepted Answer

A generalist typically runs one-year projections. Model Q® runs the math across your full retirement horizon and coordinates the conversion with the other 5 strategies to offset the conversion tax — something DIY calculators can't model.

Question 6

Is $750K+ enough to justify the strategy?

Accepted Answer

$500K in total retirement assets is our minimum qualified threshold. $1M+ with retirement within 5 years is our priority segment where lifetime tax savings routinely exceed $500K.

Roth Conversion FAQ

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