Roth IRA Conversions: The Why, the Why Not, and the Rest of the Story - 01/25/2025

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Should I do a Roth IRA conversion?”—this episode is for you.

John and Carson explore:

Why “taxes are going up in 2026” might not be a strong enough reason
What most people forget about state income taxes and relocation in retirement
The danger of converting at market highs
How medical expenses and charitable giving can make traditional IRAs more tax-efficient
When Roth conversions do make sense—like during market downturns or low-income years
Why a Roth might be smart for people with large estates or trusts
The importance of having cash on the side to pay the tax bill
You’ll walk away with a clearer understanding of how Roth conversions fit into the big picture of retirement and tax planning—and why Uncommon Cents Investing takes an individualized, reason-first approach for every client.

🧠 Notable Quotes
“We’re not against Roth conversions. We just want to do them for the right reason.” – John Berkley
“If you have a tax problem, you probably have a good problem—it means you have money.” – John Berkley
“Almost nothing turns out as expected in investing. So making decisions based on certainty about the future? That’s risky.” – quoting Harry Browne