Delay Social Security to Supercharge Your Roth Conversions?
Tax Strategy, Retirement Planning, Social Security Eric Niergarth, CFP® Tax Strategy, Retirement Planning, Social Security Eric Niergarth, CFP®

Delay Social Security to Supercharge Your Roth Conversions?

Delaying Social Security isn't just about a bigger check — for retirees with large pre-tax balances, it's often about buying more Roth conversion runway. Here's how deferring to 70 keeps your MAGI low, neutralizes the tax torpedo, and lets you convert more aggressively before the window closes.

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Do Roth Conversions Increase Medicare Premiums?
Eric Niergarth, CFP® Eric Niergarth, CFP®

Do Roth Conversions Increase Medicare Premiums?

Yes — but the more important question is whether that changes anything. A Roth conversion can trigger an IRMAA surcharge on your Medicare premiums two years later. Here's what it costs, when it's still worth doing, and how to model it into your strategy.

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The Widow's Tax Problem — and Why Roth Conversions Are Often the Answer
Retirement Planning, Tax Strategy Eric Niergarth, CFP® Retirement Planning, Tax Strategy Eric Niergarth, CFP®

The Widow's Tax Problem — and Why Roth Conversions Are Often the Answer

Most couples don't realize that losing a spouse doesn't just mean losing a partner — it means losing access to joint tax brackets, often overnight. The result is higher taxes on the same income, for the rest of your life. Here's how Roth conversions can change that math before it's too late.

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