In this episode of The Ascent, Alec Walker from Crestmont Private Wealth explains everything you need to know about Roth conversions. He covers what a Roth conversion is, when and why it makes sense, key rules and deadlines, tax implications, and how to determine if a Roth conversion is right for you. Alec also discusses the impact on Medicare premiums, estate planning, and strategies for optimizing your conversions. If you’re considering a Roth conversion or want to understand the benefits and potential pitfalls, this episode is packed with practical advice and expert insights.

00:00 – Introduction: Alec Walker and the topic of Roth conversions

00:14 – What is a Roth conversion?

00:56 – Roth conversion deadlines and why timing matters

01:47 – Why do Roth conversions in the fall?

02:07 – How much should you convert? Tax bracket considerations

02:49 – When does a Roth conversion make sense?

03:19 – Roth conversions and retirement years

03:59 – Roth conversions for large required minimum distributions (RMDs)

04:49 – The “gap years” and tax planning

05:14 – Importance of after-tax investment accounts

05:22 – Estate planning: Secure Act and inherited IRAs

05:49 – Hedging against future tax rate increases

06:14 – Reducing lifetime taxes with Roth conversions

06:39 – Five main reasons for Roth conversions

07:04 – Key rules and “gotchas” (deadlines, no takebacks, five-year clock)

07:51 – Five-year rule explained

08:24 – Tax brackets and Medicare premium considerations

08:45 – How Medicare premiums are calculated

09:04 – Impact on Affordable Care Act and insurance premiums

09:49 – Estimated taxes and making tax payments

10:19 – Withholding taxes vs. paying with outside funds

10:47 – Working with CPAs and tax professionals

11:12 – How to determine if a Roth conversion is right for you

11:30 – Analyzing your tax return and projecting income

11:50 – Annual vs. one-time Roth conversions

12:13 – The power of partial, annual conversions

12:36 – Long-term impact of annual conversions

13:01 – How to get in touch for a Roth conversion analysis

13:26 – Outro and contact

 

Original Air Date: September 20, 2025 at 8:30am as heard on Boerne Radio 103.9FM

Contact:  www.crestmontpw.com

Alec Walker in Houston:  831-280-5288

Sam McGee in Boerne: 830-368-2898 information

In this episode of The Ascent, Alec Walker from Crestmont Private Wealth explains everything you need to know about Roth conversions. He covers what a Roth conversion is, when and why it makes sense, key rules and deadlines, tax implications, and how to determine if a Roth conversion is right for you. Alec also discusses the impact on Medicare premiums, estate planning, and strategies for optimizing your conversions. If you&rsquo;re considering a Roth conversion or want to understand the benefits and potential pitfalls, this episode is packed with practical advice and expert insights.
00:00 &ndash; Introduction: Alec Walker and the topic of Roth conversions
00:14 &ndash; What is a Roth conversion?
00:56 &ndash; Roth conversion deadlines and why timing matters
01:47 &ndash; Why do Roth conversions in the fall?
02:07 &ndash; How much should you convert? Tax bracket considerations
02:49 &ndash; When does a Roth conversion make sense?
03:19 &ndash; Roth conversions and retirement years
03:59 &ndash; Roth conversions for large required minimum distributions (RMDs)
04:49 &ndash; The &ldquo;gap years&rdquo; and tax planning
05:14 &ndash; Importance of after-tax investment accounts
05:22 &ndash; Estate planning: Secure Act and inherited IRAs
05:49 &ndash; Hedging against future tax rate increases
06:14 &ndash; Reducing lifetime taxes with Roth conversions
06:39 &ndash; Five main reasons for Roth conversions
07:04 &ndash; Key rules and &ldquo;gotchas&rdquo; (deadlines, no takebacks, five-year clock)
07:51 &ndash; Five-year rule explained
08:24 &ndash; Tax brackets and Medicare premium considerations
08:45 &ndash; How Medicare premiums are calculated
09:04 &ndash; Impact on Affordable Care Act and insurance premiums
09:49 &ndash; Estimated taxes and making tax payments
10:19 &ndash; Withholding taxes vs. paying with outside funds
10:47 &ndash; Working with CPAs and tax professionals
11:12 &ndash; How to determine if a Roth conversion is right for you
11:30 &ndash; Analyzing your tax return and projecting income
11:50 &ndash; Annual vs. one-time Roth conversions
12:13 &ndash; The power of partial, annual conversions
12:36 &ndash; Long-term impact of annual conversions
13:01 &ndash; How to get in touch for a Roth conversion analysis
13:26 &ndash; Outro and contact
&nbsp;
Original Air Date: September 20, 2025 at 8:30am as heard on Boerne Radio 103.9FM
Contact:&nbsp; www.crestmontpw.com
Alec Walker in Houston:&nbsp; 831-280-5288
Sam McGee in Boerne: 830-368-2898 information

Host:  Sam McGee, MBA, CFA

Founder/Owner of Crestmont Private Wealth.
604 S. Main St. Boerne TX 78006
(830) 368-2898
www.crestmontpw.com

Host:  Sam McGee, MBA, CFA
Founder/Owner of Crestmont Private Wealth.
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.google.com/maps?q=604%20S.%20Main%20St.,%20Boerne,%20TX,%2078006">604 S. Main St. Boerne TX 78006</a></li>
<li><a href="tel:8303682898">(830) 368-2898</a></li>
<li><a href="http://crestmontpw.com/">www.crestmontpw.com</a></li>
</ul>

The Ascent With Crestmont Private Wealth

The Ascent with Crestmont Private Wealth 

Host: Sam McGee

Houston Office: I Riverway, Suite 470 Houston, Texas 77056

(832) 280-5288

Boerne Office: 604 South Main Boerne, Texas 78006

Office (830) 368-2898

About Sam McGee

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER & CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER

Sam McGee is the founder and owner of Crestmont Private Wealth. As CEO, he believes that to lead well you must have a servant heart. His day-to-day role with Crestmont is to lead and learn from a group of talented professionals who have high character qualities and initiative. His vision is to steer a mission led company that changes lives through financial stewardship, engagement with clients, and fiduciary style education.

Sam has 26 years in the financial industry and is a Chartered Financial Analyst. The CFA Program is a rigorous three-part exam that tests the fundamentals of investment tools, valuing assets, portfolio management, wealth planning, with an emphasis on ethics and quantitative analysis.

Sam is passionate about volunteering his time to the community. He founded the Texas Hill Country Mustang Club (501c7), is a board member for Hill Country Family Services, was appointed by the Texas Governor to the Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists, is a volunteer firefighter with the Boerne Fire Department, a trained SkyWarn Weather Spotter, and a Boerne Little League head coach, and involved with many charitable causes.

When asked what is most important to him, he said “Faith, Family, Community, & Friendships”

The Ascent with Crestmont Private Wealth 
Host: Sam McGee
Houston Office: I Riverway, Suite 470 Houston, Texas 77056
(832) 280-5288
Boerne Office: 604 South Main Boerne, Texas 78006
Office (830) 368-2898
About Sam McGee
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER &amp; CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER
Sam McGee is the founder and owner of Crestmont Private Wealth. As CEO, he believes that to lead well you must have a servant heart. His day-to-day role with Crestmont is to lead and learn from a group of talented professionals who have high character qualities and initiative. His vision is to steer a mission led company that changes lives through financial stewardship, engagement with clients, and fiduciary style education.
Sam has 26 years in the financial industry and is a Chartered Financial Analyst. The CFA Program is a rigorous three-part exam that tests the fundamentals of investment tools, valuing assets, portfolio management, wealth planning, with an emphasis on ethics and quantitative analysis.
Sam is passionate about volunteering his time to the community. He founded the Texas Hill Country Mustang Club (501c7), is a board member for Hill Country Family Services, was appointed by the Texas Governor to the Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists, is a volunteer firefighter with the Boerne Fire Department, a trained SkyWarn Weather Spotter, and a Boerne Little League head coach, and involved with many charitable causes.
When asked what is most important to him, he said “Faith, Family, Community, &amp; Friendships”

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