Roth IRA Conversions: Benefits and Planning Opportunities (Individual Retirement Accounts‪)‬

By now, everyone knows the benefits of making contributions to an individual retirement account (IRA) as well as taking advantage of an employer's 401(k) plan. To sum it up in one phrase, it's tax-free compounding. The ability to grow an investment account tax-deferred over the course of 20, 30, or even 50 years exponentially increases the amount a person can accumulate, whether it is for retirement or to leave to his or her heirs. For certain individuals, a Roth IRA, as opposed to a traditional IRA, may be more beneficial to meet that individual's goals. This article examines the potential benefits of converting a traditional IRA (or an employer-sponsored retirement plan) to a Roth IRA and the possible ways in which a person can convert his or her traditional IRA into a Roth IRA.