Tag: Roth IRA

What Account Should You Spend From in Retirement?

Written by Zachary Morris, CFP® on September 9, 2026.

When you retire, you may have money spread across several different types of accounts. The account you choose to spend from can change how much you pay in taxes. A good retirement withdrawal strategy considers how each source of income is taxed and how they stack up against one another. To see how this works, we’re going to follow one couple through retirement. We’ll start with income from their taxable investment account, then add capital gains, a pension, IRA withdrawals, Roth conversions, and Social Security to see how each affects their tax picture.

Is Roth 401k Really Better Than Traditional for Your Retirement?

Written by Zachary Morris, CFP® on February 1, 2025.

In this video, I’ll explain the key differences between a Traditional 401(k) and Roth 401(k)—two popular retirement savings options offered by employers. Understanding how these accounts differ can help you make smarter financial decisions and optimize your retirement savings strategy. Both plans offer tax advantages, but knowing which one suits your situation depends on when you want to benefit from those tax savings—now or later.

Are You Making This COSTLY Backdoor Roth Mistake?

Written by Zachary Morris, CFP® on January 10, 2025.

If you’re planning a Backdoor Roth IRA conversion, understanding the pro-rata rule is crucial to avoid unexpected tax bills. This often-overlooked rule can significantly impact your retirement strategy, especially if you have pre-tax funds in any of your IRAs.

In this video, I explain the complexities of the pro-rata rule and how it can affect Backdoor Roth conversions. I’ll start with the basics of IRA contributions, breaking down how pre-tax and after-tax contributions differ. Understanding this distinction is key to helping your conversion go smoothly and minimizing additional taxes.

How Can Your Child Benefit from a Roth IRA?

Written by Zachary Morris, CFP® on June 25, 2019.

When you think of a Roth IRA, you aren’t usually picturing a child as the owner. But, when you dig deeper, a Roth really is an ideal savings vehicle because they have more than a half-century to watch their contributions grow tax-free. Plus, there is a great deal of flexibility allowing you to withdraw your contributions at any time without tax or penalties (*subject to certain withdrawal guidelines noted below).