Roth IRA vs. Traditional IRA: Which is Better for Retirement Savings? - 558

McDreamy Dempsey wants to know if converting to Roth in the 37% tax bracket ever makes sense, and Gary in La Crosse warns Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA about Roth conversion "lag" and when it DOESN'T make sense to convert, today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast 558. Plus, Wine Guy and Gal in Northern California want a spitball on whether they should protect their ACA subsidies or keep converting to Roth before Medicare kicks in. Then it's the classic question for Robert in Napa, Luke and Lorelai in Indiana, and Phil and Claire in California: should they save for retirement in their traditional, pre-tax, tax-deferred accounts, or their post-tax, tax-free Roth accounts? Different needs and situations, same big question: which strategy gives you the smarter tax outcome?

Free Financial Resources in This Episode:

https://bit.ly/ymyw-558 (full show notes & episode transcript)

Top 10 Tax Tips Guide - limited time special offer, download yours before Friday, Dec 5, 2025!

Ultimate Guide to Roth IRAs - free download

2025 Key Financial Data Guide - free download

10 Tax-Cutting Moves to Make Now - YMYW TV

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Chapters:

00:00 - Intro: This week on the YMYW Podcast

00:57 - Should High Earners Do Roth Conversions in the 37 Percent Bracket? (McDreamy Dempsey)

06:50 - The Hidden Roth Conversion Lag: When Conversions Don't Actually Pay Off (Gary, LaCrosse, WI)

18:03 - Should You Prioritize the ACA Subsidy Cliff or Roth Conversions Before Medicare? (Wine Guy & Gal, No CA)

26:27 - Traditional vs Roth Contributions: What's Better When You Make $400K? (Robert, Napa)

33:09 - Roth or Traditional Contributions? Save More or Coast After Debt Payoff? (Luke & Lorelai, Indiana)

42:13 - Roth or Traditional at Age 48: Which Strategy Makes More Sense? (Phil & Claire, CA)

49:19 - Outro: Next Week on the YMYW Podcast