White Coat Investor Podcast

WCI #359: Tax Deferred vs. Roth Contributions: A Deep Dive

31 snips
Mar 21, 2024
In this podcast, they delve into the complexities of Roth IRAs, Backdoor Roth, Mega backdoor Roth, and Roth conversions. They discuss the importance of determining pre or post tax contributions considering tax rates. The conversation progresses from a basic to advanced level, exploring tips and tricks for making financial decisions. Guest expert Chris Daven shares insights on personal finance, while highlighting the benefits of retirement accounts and maximizing after-tax income in retirement.
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ANECDOTE

Chris Daven's Entry Story

  • Chris Daven, an engineer, discovered The White Coat Investor community through his wife's residency classmates discussing backdoor Roth IRAs.
  • He was drawn by the systematic, engineering-like approach and has since fully engaged in personal finance as a hobby and tax preparer for his family.
ADVICE

Traditional vs. Roth Accounts

  • Traditional (pre-tax) retirement accounts let you defer taxes until withdrawal, usually at retirement.
  • Roth accounts require paying taxes up front but withdrawals during retirement are tax free if eligibility rules are met.
ADVICE

Using Roth Conversions Smartly

  • A Roth conversion moves money from pre-tax to Roth accounts and is taxable in the year converted.
  • It is useful to convert during low-income years to pay less tax and reduce future required minimum distributions (RMDs).
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