Roth conversion ladder calculator

Filing status

Your age at year end

Spouse’s age at year end

State

Social Security a year ($)

IRA, 401(k) and pension income ($)

Interest and other taxable income ($)

Qualified dividends ($)

Convert each year ($)

Spending a year ($)

First rung maturesAge 50Conversion made at 45, five years earlier

Bridge you need$250,000Spending until the rungs cover it

Tax on all conversions$26,700To age 59, in 2026 dollars

Tax-free conversion$32,200This year, before federal tax starts

Converting $50,000 a year from age 45, the first conversion becomes available without penalty at 50. Until then you need $250,000 from taxable savings, cash or Roth contributions. The conversions add about $26,700 of federal and state tax in total.

Free Roth conversion ladder calculator by Killion Labs. Tables, worked examples and assumptions are on the full page.