Converting Your Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA

Learn about the potential benefits of a Roth IRA and how to take advantage of them if you have assets in a Traditional IRA

It's generally a good idea for most investors to consider including a Roth IRA in their overall retirement planning. Roth IRAs have the potential to grow tax-free, which may help you save more over time. Plus, withdrawals aren't mandatory during the lifetime of the original owner, and Roth IRA assets may pass to your heirs tax-free.

Determining if a Roth is right for you

Ready to get started?

Roth Conversion Checklists
Follow these simple steps to convert your Traditional IRA or old 401(k) to a Roth IRA.

Anyone can convert their eligible IRA assets to a Roth IRA regardless of income or marital status. Prior to 2010, only those account owners who had a modified adjusted gross income below $100,000 were eligible to convert.

Despite its advantages, Roth may not be the preferred option for all investors. There are three important factors—taxes, time, and costs—that you should consider before you decide if conversion is right for you. Fidelity's Roth Conversion FAQs can help you weigh these factors and get answers to important questions you may have. Be sure to consult with your tax advisor with regard to your personal circumstances.

To learn more about the differences between Roth and Traditional IRAs and get a quick overview of eligibility and features, use the Roth or Traditional IRA Contribution Evaluator.

It's also important to note that if you are required to take a required minimum distribution (RMD) in the year you convert to a Roth IRA, you must do so before converting.

Considerations for owners of Roth IRAs

Generally, converted assets in the Roth IRA must remain there for at least five years to avoid penalties and taxes. Distributions from a Roth IRA are tax-free and penalty-free provided that the five-year aging requirement has been satisfied and at least one of the following conditions has been met:

  • You reach age 59½
  • You pass away
  • You become disabled
  • You make a qualified first-time home purchase

RMDs are not required during the lifetime of the original owner of a Roth IRA. RMD amounts are not eligible to be converted to a Roth IRA.

If you qualify, you can do an eligible rollover distribution from your old 401(k) directly to a Roth IRA. You'll owe taxes on the amount of pretax assets you roll over.

Note also, if you have assets in a Designated Roth Account (i.e., Roth 401(k)) and would like to roll these to an IRA, the assets must be rolled into a Roth IRA.

As with Traditional IRA conversions to Roth IRAs, if you are required to take an RMD in the year you roll over into an IRA, you must take it before rolling over your assets.

Learn more about your rollover options

Should you wish to convert your Roth IRA back to a Traditional IRA, the process is known as recharacterization. The window for recharacterizations is closing quickly, however, as The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act eliminated this strategy beginning in the 2018 tax year. If you converted to a Roth in 2017, you may be able to complete a recharacterization by the 2018 deadline.

Consult a tax professional about your particular situation.

Convert back to a Traditional IRALog In Required

Next steps

Calculator

Roth or Traditional IRA Evaluator With just a few simple steps, this tool can help you learn the differences in eligible contribution amounts and features specific to you.

Roth IRA Conversion Checklists Get step-by-step instructions on how to convert to a Roth IRA from a Fidelity or non-Fidelity Traditional IRA or 401(k).