Beyond the Roth Conversion

Everyone converts to Roth
the same way.
What if you didn't have to write the IRS a check?

A standard Roth conversion means moving money to a Roth IRA and paying the tax bill yourself — usually from savings, or from the account itself. There's a lesser-known structure some pre-retirees use instead, where the tax is covered without draining the balance, and the account never dips below where it started. It's not for everyone. Here's how to know if it's for you.

Find Out If You Qualify See How It Works ↓

Same $1M Conversion

Where the Tax Comes From Changes Everything

Standard: Paid From Savings ~30%
Structured: Paid From Growth ~0%
Same conversion. Very different starting balance the day it's done.

The Blind Spot

Most advisors show you one way to convert — because it's the only way they know

A standard Roth conversion is simple: convert, pay the tax, move on. It works. It's just not the only structure available — and for the right situation, a different one can leave significantly more working for you on day one.

~30%
A typical up-front tax hit on a standard conversion — paid immediately, usually from savings or the converted funds themselves.
$0
What some structured alternatives require out of pocket for the conversion tax — when the situation fits.
9 Yrs
A typical structured conversion window, spreading the shift to Roth status over several years instead of one lump event.

Three Things We Hear Every Time

The objections that usually end the Roth conversion conversation

01

"The tax bill stopped me before."

That's the exact objection this structure is built around — not by avoiding the tax, but by changing where the money to pay it comes from.

02

"I don't want my balance to drop."

That's a design constraint, not an afterthought. These structures are built specifically so the balance doesn't fall below the starting point during the conversion window.

03

"Nobody's explained this to me."

Most advisors haven't. It requires a different kind of planning conversation than a typical conversion pitch — which is why it's worth 20 minutes to find out if you qualify.

Where We Fit

Is this worth 20 minutes of your time?

This isn't right for every balance or every age. Here's the honest read on fit before you book anything.

Good Signs This Applies to You

✓You have $500K or more in a traditional IRA or 401(k).
✓You're within 10–15 years of when you'll need this money.
✓You've considered converting before, but the tax bill stopped you.
✓You're open to hearing how it works, even if you're not sure you qualify.

Probably Not (Yet) If

–Your qualified balance is under $500K
–You're more than 15 years from retirement
–You've already fully converted to Roth
–You're not open to a different structure than a standard conversion

The Framework

The same Income Standard Score — read for a conversion decision

Every plan we build runs through the same six-part diagnostic. For a Roth conversion decision, two of those six components carry the most weight.

Get Your Score
01
RMD Exposure
How much of your current balance turns into forced, taxable withdrawals at 73 if nothing changes.
02
Roth Conversion Window
The years before RMDs begin where converting is most tax-efficient — and where this structure is typically used.

Next Step

Find out if this fits your situation

A complimentary Income Architecture Review looks at your balance, your age, and your timeline — and tells you plainly whether a structured alternative applies, or whether a standard conversion (or no conversion at all) is the better fit.

Schedule My Review — No Cost

No cost. No obligation. Just a straight answer.