
How a Backdoor Roth IRA Can Help You Grow Tax-Free Wealth
Retirement doesn’t mean an end to taxes; however, there’s a strategy to reduce their impact on your savings. Our team at RJL Financial Group has created the following guide to help you understand the Backdoor Roth IRA and how it could be advantageous for you.
What Is a Backdoor Roth IRA?
A backdoor Roth IRA is an IRS-sanctioned loophole that lets high-income earners reap the benefits of a Roth without violating the income limits.
There’s a reason Americans love Roth IRAs—they come with some major tax benefits. You pay taxes on your contributions up front, but then your investments grow 100% tax-free. Additionally, when you start taking withdrawals in retirement, none of that money counts as taxable income. It’s a very attractive option for those who can qualify.
But that’s the problem—most high-income earners don’t qualify for a Roth IRA. As of 2023, you’re not eligible to contribute to a Roth IRA if you make at least $153,000 as an individual or $228,000 as a married couple.
This begs the question: How can you enjoy the sweet tax perks that come with a Roth IRA if your income is over these limits? The solution is the backdoor Roth.
How Does a Backdoor Roth IRA Work?
Let’s say your income exceeds the legal limit for a Roth IRA, but you still want to fund an account. First, you will need to open a traditional IRA and fund it with non-deductible contributions. Then, you will immediately convert your non-deductible IRA to a Roth IRA and repeat this process each year in order to take advantage of tax-free growth.
In this scenario, you can avoid the IRA income limits, but you cannot avoid the annual contribution limits. This means that you can fund a maximum of $6,500 in 2023 ($7,500 if you’re over the age of 50) per year. This may seem small, but over time you can amass a sizable retirement savings, especially when combined with other tax-advantaged retirement vehicles.
A backdoor Roth IRA is a useful wealth strategy that can save you thousands in taxes. But there’s even more to it than that.
Unlike traditional retirement accounts, backdoor Roth IRAs aren’t subject to required minimum distributions (RMDs). This means you won’t be forced to start taking withdrawals—and paying taxes on those withdrawals—when you reach age 73.
This is yet another point in favor of backdoor Roths: estate planning benefits. With no required RMDs, you’re free to let your account balance grow and build for as long as you’d like. Then, you can pass it on to your heirs if you wish to do so.
Considerations of a Backdoor Roth IRA
There are some things to be aware of when considering a backdoor Roth.
Pro Rata Rule
Backdoor Roths only work if you have zero to very low Traditional IRA assets. What happens if you have both pre-tax and non-deductible after-tax contributions in your traditional IRA? Unfortunately, you cannot choose to only transfer the after-tax contributions. This is because of the pro rata rule.
Pro rata means that taxation is based on percentages or ratios. If 60% of all of your combined traditional IRA contributions were made pre-tax and 40% were made after-tax, then those are the percentages they use to determine the taxability of the conversion. No matter how much you convert or which specific IRAs it comes out of, 60% of the funds will be considered pre-tax (and therefore taxable) and 40% will be considered after-tax (and therefore tax-free).
If you have a substantial amount of pre-tax savings, you may be able to utilize a Mega Backdoor Roth strategy instead. In this strategy, you would fund after-tax contributions to a Roth 401(k) that can grow tax-free if utilized properly. Most 401(k) plans don’t allow for this provision, but if it is available to you, reach out to us at RJL Financial Group to learn about this implementation strategy in greater detail.
Irreversible
Backdoor Roths are irreversible. That means if you converted too much at once and got pushed into a higher marginal tax bracket, you can’t take it back. But this can usually be avoided by keeping your conversion amounts to the annual contribution limits.
State Taxes
You will also need to consider those tricky state taxes. If you live in a state that has income tax, you’ll likely owe state taxes on your backdoor Roth conversion in addition to federal taxes. However, some states exempt part of your distribution if you’re over a certain age.
5-Year Rule
Backdoor Roth IRAs also have two five-year rules to keep in mind. The first rule says that you must wait at least five years from your first contribution before you can make a penalty-free withdrawal from your Roth IRA—even if you’re over age 59½.
The second five-year rule states that each of your backdoor Roth conversions has its own five-year period. For example, if you do a conversion in 2023 and another in 2024, you’ll have to wait until at least 2028 to access the first conversion and 2029 to access the second.
As with anything tax-related, consult a wealth advisor to position your money in a way that minimizes tax liability and maximizes growth.
We Can Help You Find the Answer
If you earn more than the regular Roth IRA threshold and can pay taxes on your rollover amount, you can benefit from future growth and reduce your tax burden in retirement. We at RJL Financial Group are here to assist you in keeping more of your hard-earned money. Contact us today to schedule a complimentary consultation by contacting us at (201) 612-6626 or info@rjlusa.net.
About Jerry
Jerry Clark is the Founder and Principal at RJL Financial Group, an independent financial advisory firm dedicated to supporting and empowering their clients so they can enjoy life without financial worry. With more than 20 years of experience, Jerry specializes in guiding his clients through transitions, whether that be retirement, divorce, or widowhood. His tailored services and strategies help set clients up for the retirement they dream of, overcoming challenges and taking advantage of opportunities along the way. Jerry is a former golf pro who would play every day if he could! Inspired by his sports coaching background, he aims to motivate and empower pre-retirees and retirees to achieve predictable savings results, giving them the ability to feel secure about their future. Jerry is known for going the extra mile for his clients and building relationships that make his clients feel like family.
When he’s not working (or playing golf), Jerry loves spending time with his wife, Lisa (whom he’s known for 40 years!), and their two grown daughters, Riley and Josie. You can often find him working or relaxing at his beach house in South Bethany, Delaware. To learn more about Jerry, connect with him on LinkedIn.