Backdoor Roth IRA Explained: How High Earners Avoid Income Limits

Backdoor Roth IRA explained (2026): how high-income earners can legally contribute to a Roth IRA, step-by-step, and avoid the pro-rata rule tax trap. If your income is too high to contribute directly to a Roth IRA, the Backdoor Roth strategy is one of the most important ways to still build tax-free retirement income—but it has to be done correctly. In this episode, we break down: 2026 Roth IRA income limits and contribution limits How the Backdoor Roth IRA works step-by-step How to make a non-deductible IRA contribution and convert it to Roth The pro-rata rule and how it can trigger unexpected taxes How to handle existing Traditional, SEP, or SIMPLE IRA balances When a spousal Backdoor Roth makes sense Have questions? Need help making sure your investments and retirement plan are on track? Click to schedule a free 20-minute call with one of True Wealth's CFP® Professionals.

You can listen to Backdoor Roth IRA Explained: How High Earners Avoid Income Limits online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

Backdoor Roth IRA Explained: How High Earners Avoid Income Limits is an episode from Retire Smarter by Kevin Kroskey, CFP® & Tyler Emrick, CFA® CFP®.

This episode is 22:29 long.

This episode was published on Apr 9, 2026.

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