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Roth Conversion Window Calculator

Convert traditional IRA dollars to Roth now, convert partially, or wait? This engine compares the future after-tax value of converting against leaving the money in a traditional IRA — and flags the two costly mistakes.

Quick answer: Convert traditional IRA dollars to Roth now, partially, or wait? Compares future after-tax value and flags paying the tax from the IRA or crossing into a higher bracket. Enter Traditional IRA balance, Amount to convert this year, Current taxable income, and Filing status to personalize the estimate. It returns Recommendation, Tax due on conversion, and Future Roth value so you can compare the impact before choosing a next step. Use it to compare long-term value, tax impact, risk, time horizon, and contribution choices.

Your situation
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Current option
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Alternatives
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Assumptions
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Your decision

Convert partially. Converting $50,000 costs about $13,500 in tax now and would be worth $119,828 tax-free in 15 years — versus $91,069 after tax if left in the traditional IRA.

Recommended: Convert partially

Recommendation

Good

Convert partially

Driven by the gap between your current and retirement tax brackets, and whether you can pay the tax from cash.

Tax due on conversion

Watch

$13,500

at 27.00% combined

Federal + state on the converted amount, owed this year.

Future Roth value

Good

$119,828

tax-free

Grows and is withdrawn tax-free in retirement.

Net advantage vs traditional

Good

$28,759

Future Roth value minus the after-tax value of leaving it in the traditional IRA.

Ranked options

  1. #1Convert partially

    Fill the top of your current bracket without spilling into the next one or crossing an IRMAA threshold.

    Confidence: MediumEffort: LowRisk: Low

  2. #2Convert now (full amount)

    Locks in today's 22.00% rate; best when your retirement bracket will be higher and you can pay the tax from cash.

    Confidence: MediumEffort: LowRisk: Medium

  3. #3Wait

    Better if your bracket will be lower in retirement, or if you cannot pay the tax from outside cash.

    Confidence: MediumEffort: LowRisk: Low

Watch-outs

  • • Estimates use a single flat bracket and ignore bracket-by-bracket fill. This is not tax advice — confirm with a tax professional, especially near IRMAA or ACA thresholds.

Assumptions used

Conversion amount
$50,000
Current bracket
22.00%
Retirement bracket
24.00%
Years to retirement
15
Expected return
6.00%
Pay tax from
Outside cash

Estimates based on your assumptions above — roughly indicative, not financial, tax, or legal advice.

Next steps

Compare IRA Accounts →

Why this matters

A Roth conversion is a tax bet: pay tax now at your current rate to avoid it later. It wins when your retirement bracket will be higher and you can pay the tax from outside cash. It backfires when you pay the tax out of the IRA itself or convert so much you jump a bracket or cross a Medicare IRMAA threshold.

Frequently asked questions

When does a Roth conversion make sense?
When you expect to be in a higher tax bracket in retirement than you are now, and you can pay the conversion tax from outside cash so the full amount keeps compounding tax-free. Low-income years — early retirement before Social Security and RMDs — are classic conversion windows.
Why is paying the tax from cash so important?
If you pay the conversion tax out of the IRA, less money makes it into the Roth, which shrinks the tax-free growth and weakens the whole case. Paying from outside cash lets the entire converted amount compound tax-free.
What is the risk of converting too much at once?
A large conversion can push you into a higher bracket and trigger Medicare IRMAA surcharges two years later. Spreading conversions over several years — "filling" the top of your current bracket each year — often works better.
How is this different from the IRMAA calculator?
This tool answers whether and roughly how much to convert based on your tax-bracket bet. Our Roth Conversion with IRMAA Cliff calculator sizes the exact amount you can convert before crossing the next Medicare threshold. Use them together.

This tool produces estimates based on the assumptions you enter. It is not financial, tax, or legal advice. Actual rates, fees, and outcomes depend on your lender, account terms, and approval.