Roth IRA Conversion Calculator
Updated 2026-03-10
Data Notice: Figures, rates, and statistics cited in this article are based on the most recent available data at time of writing and may reflect projections or prior-year figures. Always verify current numbers with official sources before making financial, medical, or educational decisions.
Roth IRA Conversion Calculator
Should you convert traditional IRA money to Roth? This calculator shows the tax cost now vs the tax savings later — so you can make the decision with real numbers.
[INTERACTIVE CALCULATOR PLACEHOLDER]
Inputs:
- Current age
- Traditional IRA balance
- Amount to convert
- Current marginal tax bracket
- Expected retirement tax bracket
- Expected years until withdrawal
- Expected annual return
Outputs:
- Tax cost of conversion now
- Projected Roth value at retirement (tax-free)
- Projected traditional value at retirement (minus taxes on withdrawal)
- Net benefit of converting
- Breakeven year (when Roth overtakes traditional after-tax)
When Conversion Makes Sense
| Situation | Convert? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Current bracket lower than expected retirement bracket | Yes | Pay less tax now, avoid higher rate later |
| In a low-income year (career break, early retirement) | Yes | Take advantage of temporarily low bracket |
| Have cash outside the IRA to pay conversion tax | Yes | Keeps the full amount growing tax-free in Roth |
| Want to eliminate RMDs | Yes | Roth IRAs have no RMDs — money grows tax-free indefinitely |
| Current bracket higher than expected retirement bracket | Probably not | You’d pay more tax now than you’d save later |
| Need the converted money within 5 years | Risky | 5-year rule may apply for penalty-free withdrawal |
Conversion Best Practices
- Convert in low-income years — the lower your bracket, the cheaper the conversion
- Pay the tax from outside the IRA — using IRA money to pay the tax reduces the converted amount
- Spread conversions over multiple years — avoid jumping brackets by converting $50-$100K/year instead of all at once
- Consider Medicare implications — large conversions can trigger IRMAA surcharges on Medicare premiums
- Check state tax impact — some states don’t tax Roth conversions (if you’re moving to a no-tax state, convert after the move)
Related
- Traditional IRA vs Roth IRA: Decision Guide by Income
- Tax Bracket Calculator 2026
- Retirement Savings Calculator (Interactive Tool)
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.