Ep 22 - Roth Conversions Demystified: Tax-Free Retirement Strategies

EnRich Your Life

EnRich Your Life
Ep 22 - Roth Conversions Demystified: Tax-Free Retirement Strategies
Dec 09, 2025 Season 1 Episode 22
Richard Leimgruber, CRPC®

In this episode of Enrich Your Life, host Rich Leimgruber sits down with Julia Fuentes, a Financial Planning and Coaching Strategist at Vanguard with over 20 years of experience in financial services. They break down the complex world of Roth conversions, exploring when it makes sense to pay taxes now versus later in retirement. Julia shares her personal journey into investing, starting with her first Roth IRA as a high school student, and walks listeners through the strategic advantages of Roth accounts, including tax-free growth, inheritance benefits, and no required minimum distributions. The conversation covers essential topics like the backdoor Roth strategy, the pro-rata rule pitfalls, and Vanguard's break-even tax rate method for determining optimal conversion timing. Whether you're just starting your career or planning for retirement, this episode provides practical insights into maximizing your tax efficiency and leaving a tax-free legacy.

Key Highlights

  1.  The Inheritance Game-Changer: Understanding the 10-Year Rule
  2. The Pro-Rata Rule Trap: How to prevent your Backdoor Roth Strategy from Backfiring
  3. Strategic Timing: When Market Downturns Create Conversion Opportunities


Filmed and recorded at Studio on the Avenue/LMC Media
Mamaroneck, NY
https://lmcmedia.org/
Produced and Edited by Vekterly
https://www.vekterly.com/

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice, a recommendation for any specific investment, strategy, or financial decision, or legal advice. By engaging with this material, you acknowledge and agree with its intended purpose. Any examples provided are hypothetical and for illustration purposes only. Neither Rich Leimgruber, the EnRich Your Life Podcast, nor its representatives are advising or suggesting any specific action or decision. Before making any financial, legal, or tax decisions, individuals should consult their own financial advisor, accountant, legal professional, or other qualified professional before making financial decisions. All opinions expressed are those of the host and guests and do not reflect the views of any affiliated financial institutions. The views shared may not be suitable for every individual or situation. Past performance is not indicative of future results, and all investments carry risk. Please note that any strategies discussed may not be suitable for all investors, and the appropriateness of any specific investment or strategy will depend on individual circumstances.

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