I Tested Converting a $2M IRA to Roth. Here's What I Found

📌 Get "The Exit Code" Report : https://lazy.better-investor.co/hello... Thinking about a $2 million Roth conversion in 2026? We run the exact IRS bracket math to reveal why a massive one-time move can be a $900,000 mistake compared to a strategic withdrawal plan. This deep dive analyzes the tax reality for a retired couple (Ellen and Rob) with $2 million in a traditional IRA, evaluating whether paying a $649,030 tax bill today actually yields more wealth long-term. We break down the permanent 37% tax ceiling, the impact of SECURE 2.0 on Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) at age 75, and the specific math of the 2026 "Senior Deduction" phase-out that adds 12 cents of tax for every dollar converted. The analysis explores why liquidating brokerage accounts to pay conversion taxes often destroys a valuable step-up in basis, while also highlighting the "Widow’s Penalty" where a surviving spouse faces higher single-filer rates on the same portfolio. You will see how Medicare IRMAA surcharges function as a "silent tax" and why a smaller, banded conversion strategy often outperforms a million-dollar lump sum move based on pure arithmetic. Chapters: 00:00 - The $649,000 tax bill surprise 02:15 - Why the 37% bracket fails the break-even 04:10 - Modeling the "do-nothing" RMD path 05:40 - Why liquidating brokerage accounts is a losing trade 06:53 - The invisible 2026 deduction trap 09:00 - Avoiding the Medicare premium cliff 11:24 - How filing status changes everything 13:50 - The Roth conversion mistake you can't undo #RothConversion #RetirementPlanning #TaxStrategy #IRAMath #FinancialPlanning #MedicareIRMAA 📌 Please note: I'm NOT a financial advisor. These videos represent my personal point of view. It's for entertainment purposes only and do not constitute financial advice. This content is for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing presented here constitutes investment, legal, or tax advice. Always do your own research or consult a licensed professional before making financial decisions.