How You Should Be Using Roth Accounts: Before and After Retirement

Get your customized planning started by scheduling a no-cost discovery call: Roth IRAs and Roth 401(k)s are powerful tools — but most people use them without a clear strategy. In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, breaks down how to think about Roth accounts before retirement, after retirement, and even how they impact your spouse and your legacy. We’ll explore how to decide between pre-tax and Roth contributions while you’re still working, why your tax bracket today may not be your tax bracket in the future, and how early retirees can position assets to maximize ACA healthcare credits Then, in retirement, we dive into one of the biggest planning questions: Should you prioritize Roth conversions or taxable gain harvesting? We explain the differences, how each affects your tax bill, and why IRMAA, NIIT, and future cash-flow needs all play a major role. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 🔍 Roth 401(k)s ≠ Roth IRAs - No income limits inside employer plans — huge advantage. 📊 Tax Bracket Targeting - Use your future bracket to decide Roth vs. pre-tax. 🏥 Near 65? Watch ACA Rules - Roth savings can preserve subsidies pre-Medicare. 🔄 Conversions After Retirement - Pay taxes strategically when income drops. 👩‍❤️‍👨Protect the Surviving Spouse - Single tax brackets + IRMAA penalties make Roths crucial. 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.

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How You Should Be Using Roth Accounts: Before and After Retirement is an episode from Retire Smarter by Kevin Kroskey, CFP® & Tyler Emrick, CFA® CFP®.

This episode is 36:00 long.

This episode was published on Dec 11, 2025.

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