Why Now may be a Bad Time for a Roth Conversion

Roth IRAs and Roth 401(k) plans represent one of the few tax advantaged ways for Americans to invest. These Roth investment products allow you to make an after-tax contribution into an investment account. Subject to certain terms and conditions, they also allow for tax-free growth and tax-free withdrawal of dividends, interest, and capital gains. In this way, the Roth IRA and Roth 401(k) offer a very attractive “tax advantaged” opportunity.

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For many Americans, eligibility and/or access to the Roth investment products is a challenge. In order to participate in a Roth IRA, you have to meet IRS income eligibility requirements; if you make a high or even moderate middle-class income, you may not be eligible. In contrast, and perhaps surprisingly, the Roth 401(k) does not carry an income limitation; if your employer offers a Roth 401(k) provision in its retirement plan, you can participate regardless of your income level. Unfortunately, less than two-thirds of employers offer a Roth 401(k) option Aon Hewitt 2015 Trends. And for employers who do offer it, many fail to adequately educate their employees on its benefits.

A creative way for an individual to participate in a Roth IRA is known as a Roth conversion. This allows an investor with existing retirement plan balances (which have been funded with pre-tax dollars) to convert those balances into a Roth IRA.

There are, however, some reasons why right now may be a bad time to do a Roth conversion:

1. The stock market is at an all-time high. When you convert your existing retirement plan balances (e.g., 401(k), 403(b), IRA, etc.) into a Roth 401(k), you will incur a current-year, ordinary-income tax liability on the full amount of the converted balance. If you convert your investment account balance now, when your balance may be at historical high due to the run-up in stock prices, you will incur more taxes versus when your account balance is lower. It makes sense to convert an existing retirement plan into a Roth during a market correction (when the stock market is relatively low). For example, in hindsight, the late 2008 and early 2009 period may have been an excellent time for some to convert their IRA and 401(k) balances.
2. Income tax rates may decline. There is a lot of talk out of Washington about pending tax reform, including a potential drop in income-tax rates for individual earners. If this happens, then any Roth conversion completed now may be done under a higher tax system versus a potential lower-cost tax structure.
3. The government may limit pre-tax (non-Roth) contribution amounts. There has been some serious talk about the government proposing limits to the amount you can contribute to your pre-tax (non-Roth) 401(k) accounts. This would be part of an effort to collect more tax dollars now (as less income will escape immediate taxation). The government likes this tactic because it will collect higher tax revenue now while continuing to offer at least some support for retirement saving in a tax advantaged way. If this is enacted, investors may be more attracted to Roth-style retirement plans. So, because you may soon naturally gravitate toward using a Roth investment plan for your primary investment type, there may not be a pressing reason to convert your balances and incur a large current-year liability. These tax discussions are still in the debate stage, but it’s something an investor should consider before converting and creating a tax liability.

Note that the government does allow a one-year look back (to October 15^th of the year after the conversion) to re-characterize or reverse the Roth conversion IRA FAQs – Recharacterization of Roth Rollovers and Conversions. This is attractive, as it can protect you should the stock market significantly decline shortly after making the conversion. But if after converting there is a flat market, or even a continuation of a strong market followed by a bear market, the conversion may have been made near a market high—which would tend to at least somewhat negate the benefit from your conversion. Further complicating your conversion decision is that the ability to re-characterize a Roth conversion may be eliminated in a future tax bill.

All this underscores why selecting a Roth conversion is tricky, and any conversion should be done in close consultation with your tax and financial advisor.

Learn more about Mark Avallone’s recently released book, Countdown To Financial Freedom

Mark Avallone, MBA, CFP®, CRPS®. www.PotomacWealth.com

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This material represents an assessment of the market environment at a specific point in time and is not intended to be a forecast of future events, or a guarantee of future results. This information should not be relied upon by the reader as research or investment advice regarding any funds or stocks in particular, nor should it be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell a security. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investments will fluctuate and when redeemed may be worth more or less than when originally invested. Diversification and asset allocation do not guarantee against loss. They are methods used to manage risk.
* Opinions expressed are subject to change without notice and are not intended as investment advice or to predict future performance.
*The economic forecasts set forth in the presentation may not develop as predicted and there can be no guarantee that strategies promoted will be successful.
* Consult your financial professional before making any investment decision.This material represents an assessment of the market environment at a specific point in time and is not intended to be a forecast of future events, or a guarantee of future results. This information should not be relied upon by the reader as research or investment advice regarding any funds or stocks in particular, nor should it be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell a security. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investments will fluctuate and when redeemed may be worth more or less than when originally invested.

About Mark Avallone, MBA, CFP®, CRPS®, AIF®

Mark Avallone is the author of Countdown To Financial Freedom, and founder and President of Potomac Wealth Advisors, LLC a financial advisory firm serving clients through holistic financial planning and wealth management. Avallone writes on a variety of financial topics, and his contributions have appeared in the Wall Street Journal as well as in Forbes where he is a regular contributor. He is a frequent guest on CNBC, the Fox Business Network, and local NBC, CBS, and Fox affiliates in Washington, DC. His insights have also been published in USA Today, U.S. News & World Report, The Washington Post, and other leading publications   Securities and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network®, Member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser. Fixed insurance products and services offered through Potomac Wealth Advisors, LLC or CES Insurance Agency. www.finra.org and www.sipc.com This communication is strictly intended for individuals residing in the states of AZ, CA, CO, DE, DC, FL, GA, MD, MA, MO, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OR, PA, SC, TX, VT, VA. No offers may be made or accepted from any resident outside these states due to various state regulations and registration requirements regarding investment products and services. Potomac Wealth Advisors, LLC, 15245 Shady Grove Rd., Ste 410, Rockville, MD 20850 301-279-2221

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