The Roth Conversion Mistake Too Many Pre-Retirees Make

Key Points A Roth conversion lets you move funds from a traditional retirement account into a Roth IRA. In doing so, you avoid taxes on withdrawals and RMDs. Roth conversions are a taxable event themselves, so timing them carefully is key. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › If you're nearing retirement and find yourself sitting on a lot of money in a traditional IRA or 401(k), you may have a problem on your hands. Granted, some might say it's a good one to have. But a large traditional IRA or 401(k) balance means you may be looking at sizable required minimum distributions, or RMDs. The problem is that RMDs can drive up your taxes and cause other consequences, too, such as having to pay more for Medicare. So it's important to be mindful of ways to minimize RMDs. Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue » Image source: Getty Images. One strategy is to do a Roth conversion before RMDs begin. But if you're going to go that route, there's one big mistake you'll want to make sure to avoid. Don't convert your way into a massive tax bill A Roth conversion could benefit you in a few ways. Not only can it help you minimize or avoid RMDs, but it can also give you access to savings you can withdraw from tax-free. The problem with Roth conversions is that they're a taxable event. And if you cram a large conversion into a single tax year, or even a few years, you might end up paying more for that conversion than necessary. Let's say you're single and are nearing retirement with a $100,000 salary that constitutes your only income. Based on your salary alone, you're in the 22% tax bracket this year. Now, let's say you have a $750,000 balance to convert to a Roth IRA . If you convert one-third of that at the same time you're earning a $100,000 salary, your taxable income will be $350,000. That bumps you into the 35% tax bracket, which may be a higher rate of tax than what you'd pay on traditional IRA withdrawals or RMDs in retirement. Make sure the math actually works While Roth conversions can be a great thing that leads to more financial flexibility in retirement, they should also make sense mathematically. If you don't spread out your conversions, you could end up paying a higher rate of tax on the money you move over than what you'd pay in retirement. In the situation above, spreading a $750,000 conversion across eight to 10 years could be a good solution. Even if you're converting $100,000 a year, that, coupled with a $100,000 salary, puts you in the 24% tax bracket based on current tax rates. Of course, tax rates can wiggle over time. The point, however, is to be mindful of how you're converting and make sure you're not paying so much tax that you largely negate the benefit. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook If you're like most Americans, you're a few years (or more) behind on your retirement savings. But a handful of little-known "Social Security secrets" could help ensure a boost in your retirement income. One easy trick could pay you as much as $23,760 more ... each year! Once you learn how to maximize your Social Security benefits, we think you could retire confidently with the peace of mind we're all after. Join Stock Advisor to learn more about these strategies. View the "Social Security secrets" » The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy .

A Roth conversion lets you move funds from a traditional retirement account into a Roth IRA.

Roth conversions are a taxable event themselves, so timing them carefully is key.

If you're nearing retirement and find yourself sitting on a lot of money in a traditional IRA or 401(k), you may have a problem on your hands. Granted, some might say it's a good one to have. But a large traditional IRA or 401(k) balance means you may be looking at sizable required minimum distributions, or RMDs.

The problem is that RMDs can drive up your taxes and cause other consequences, too, such as having to pay more for Medicare. So it's important to be mindful of ways to minimize RMDs.

Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »

One strategy is to do a Roth conversion before RMDs begin. But if you're going to go that route, there's one big mistake you'll want to make sure to avoid.

A Roth conversion could benefit you in a few ways. Not only can it help you minimize or avoid RMDs, but it can also give you access to savings you can withdraw from tax-free.