Roth Conversion Calculator

Should you convert your Traditional IRA to a Roth? Compare the tax cost now vs. tax-free growth later.

Your Situation

Traditional IRA Balance ($) Amount to convert

Amount to Convert ($) Partial conversions are fine

Current Marginal Tax Bracket (%) Your bracket during conversion year

Expected Retirement Tax Bracket (%) Your bracket in retirement

Years Until Retirement

Expected Annual Growth (%) Historical stock market avg ~7% real

When Does a Roth Conversion Make Sense?

A Roth IRA conversion is a taxable event — you pay income tax now on money you transfer from a Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. In return, all future growth is tax-free and you owe no tax on qualified withdrawals in retirement.

Convert if (typically):

Your current tax bracket is lower than your expected retirement bracket
You have 10+ years for the Roth to compound tax-free
You can pay the conversion tax from non-IRA funds
You expect tax rates to rise broadly in the future
You want to reduce future Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)

Skip conversion if:

You're in a higher bracket now than you expect in retirement
You'd need to use IRA funds to pay the conversion tax
Retirement is less than 5–7 years away
The conversion would push you into AMT or trigger IRMAA surcharges

The Roth 5-Year Rule

Each conversion amount has its own 5-year holding period before penalty-free withdrawal. Converting at age 58+ generally avoids this issue since you'll be 63 before touching converted funds.

Note: This calculator provides estimates only. Consult a tax professional for personalized advice, especially if you have complex financial situations, state taxes, or IRMAA concerns.