Ask Terry Questions Convert portion of traditional IRA to a roth taking advantage of new additional standard deductions

Convert portion of traditional IRA to a roth taking advantage of new additional standard deductions

By Terry Savage on August 14, 2025 | Financial Planning / Retirement

Hello Terry,
With the new Big Beautiful Bill additional standard deduction of $12,000 for married filing jointly, I would like to convert some of my traditional IRA to a roth IRA. I would need to do this in November when the traditional IRA CD renews. I know I need to keep our total income under $150,000 to take advantage of the whole $12,000. I also realize if we go above $96,950 it moves us from the 12% tax bracket to 22%. Is it worth converting more now and paying the 22% or convert only up to the $96,950 level and pay 12%. My traditional IRA is over $200,000 and I was hoping to convert some for the next 3 years.
We will have total income for 2025 of $110,000 ($65,000 of which is social security). To determine how much I can convert to stay under the $150,000 threshold, do I subtract the regular standard deduction of $3,100 (last year’s amount) plus the new $12,000 deduction from the $110,000 and that would now be my new income. $110,000- $3100-$12,000 = $94,900. Using these figures, I could feasible convert $55,100 to a roth. Am I understanding this correctly.
Also, I know last year we only had to claim a portion of our social security income. If I can play around with the numbers and determine we will not have to claim all of that income again this year, I could realistically convert more.
Thanks so much for your help. I love listening to you on WGN when I can and know this topic will interest a lot of us seniors this year.

Terry Says

This is even more complex than you have described. Doing the conversion could add enough taxable income to increase your Medicare Part B and D premiums!

This is a complicated decision. I know of only one program that can walk you through all the consequences.
Read this: https://www.terrysavage.com/?post_type=post&s=roth+conversion+advice

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