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Disclaimer: References across these materials to a Roth strategy, move, or rule that is "often overlooked," "lesser-known," "little-known," "underused," or that "most retirees skip," "miss," "leave unused," or "never make" — and to an "IRS-allowed" option, to a "tax window" that "closes," to "paying the IRS early," or to a "tax move" you may be "missing before 65" — refer to the practice of converting pre-tax retirement savings (such as traditional IRA or 401(k) balances) to a Roth IRA, and to the timing of such conversions during lower-income years, often the period after leaving work but before required minimum distributions (RMDs) begin.
On underutilization: industry research indicates that retirement savings are concentrated in pre-tax accounts and that activity repositioning those balances to Roth accounts is comparatively limited. According to the Investment Company Institute's "The Role of IRAs in US Households' Saving for Retirement, 2025," U.S. households transferred approximately $670 billion from employer-sponsored retirement plans into traditional IRAs in 2022, and traditional IRA ownership is concentrated among households aged 55 and older, who take withdrawals infrequently and typically only in retirement. Consistent with this, Vanguard's "How America Saves 2025" reported that when in-plan Roth conversions were offered to retirement-plan participants, only about 4% used them (and about 14% among participants earning more than $250,000). Statements that a strategy is "overlooked," "lesser-known," "little-known," or "underused," or that "most retirees skip" it, describe this comparative under-usage and limited adoption relative to common default behavior; they do not claim that the strategy is secret, hidden, or unavailable to the public. These figures describe general household and plan-participant behavior as of the periods studied and may not reflect current conditions or any individual's situation.
On IRS rules: Roth conversions are recognized under IRS rules. The IRS imposes no income limit on the ability to convert pre-tax retirement savings to a Roth IRA, in contrast to direct Roth IRA contributions, which phase out at higher incomes; references to high earners being able to do this refer to this distinction. A conversion is a voluntary, taxable event in the year it occurs — the account holder pays ordinary income tax on the converted amount at the time of conversion, which is what references to "paying the IRS early" or "on purpose" describe. A conversion is reported on IRS Form 8606 and cannot be reversed. RMDs are not required from a Roth IRA during the original owner's lifetime. For traditional IRAs and pre-tax retirement accounts, RMDs generally begin at age 73 for individuals born between 1951 and 1959; under the SECURE 2.0 Act, the age rises to 75 for individuals born in 1960 or later (effective beginning in 2033). References to a "tax window," to the window "closing at retirement's start," to a move "before 65," or to acting "before forced withdrawals" describe the general period before RMDs begin and before other income sources may raise taxable income; they are general in nature and not specific to any individual.
Any reference to a specific age and asset amount (for example, "I'm 62, $1.5M") is illustrative and used to describe a representative situation; it does not reflect any actual individual, and outcomes depend on each person's circumstances. Whether a Roth conversion is appropriate depends on factors including income, age, tax bracket, account type, state of residence, and Medicare premium considerations, among others. A conversion increases taxable income in the year it is made, which may affect items such as Medicare premiums and the taxation of Social Security benefits. This information is educational and is not tax, legal, financial, or investment advice; individual circumstances vary. FinanceAdvisors.com does not manage money or provide individualized investment, tax, or legal advice, and earns the same regardless of which advisor a user is matched with. Consult a qualified financial or tax advisor before making any decision regarding retirement accounts or conversions.
Sources: Investment Company Institute, "The Role of IRAs in US Households' Saving for Retirement, 2025," ICI Research Perspective Vol. 32, No. 7 (June 2026), https://www.ici.org/system/files/2026-06/per32-07.pdf; Vanguard, "How America Saves 2025," https://corporate.vanguard.com/content/corporatesite/us/en/corp/articles/how-america-saves-2025-key-trends-insights.html; IRS Publication 590-A, "Contributions to Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs)," https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p590a.pdf; IRS Publication 590-B, "Distributions from Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs)," https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p590b.pdf
Every investor's situation is unique. Strategies that may be effective for one person, such as charitable giving, Roth conversions, or multi-year withdrawal planning, may not be suitable for another. Tax laws and retirement rules can change, and the impact of any strategy depends on your income, assets, and long-term goals. Before making decisions about your retirement accounts or Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), it is important to speak with a qualified financial advisor who can evaluate your individual circumstances.
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