One of my favorite parts of developing the Roth IRA Conversion Optimizer has been seeing the incredible variety of retirement tax situations people face.
Some readers are worried about the Widow Tax. Others are concerned about future Social Security reductions or IRMAA surcharges. Some have large traditional IRAs that may be heading toward a “Runaway IRA.” Others want to evaluate QCD strategies, estate tax exposure, charitable giving, or simply determine whether Roth conversions make sense at all.
The reality is that retirement tax planning has become increasingly complex because so many moving parts interact with one another: RMDs, IRMAA, NIIT, Social Security taxation, state taxes, estate taxes, widow penalties, inherited IRA rules, charitable strategies, and market returns. The entire premise of the Roth IRA Conversion Optimizer is that these interactions matter and should be modeled together rather than evaluated in isolation.
Over the past year, many readers have reached out to me asking:
- “Can you help me set up my client’s scenario?”
- “What would the Optimizer show in my case?”
- “Am I exposed to the Widow Tax?”
- “How do returns impact the results?”
- “What if I convert aggressively?”
Reader questions and real-world scenarios have driven the majority of my blog posts to date. Now I’m making it even easier for you to submit your own scenario to be featured as a weekly case study.
Introducing: Submit a Scenario for the Weekly Case Study (Free)
I’m inviting readers to submit anonymous retirement tax planning scenarios.
Each week, I may select one submission and publish an analysis showing what the Roth IRA Conversion Optimizer reveals.
The goal is educational: to explore real-world retirement tax planning situations and help readers understand how different variables interact over time.
What Types of Scenarios Am I Looking For?
Almost anything related to Roth conversion planning, including:
- Widow tax concerns
- IRMAA impact
- Estate tax exposure
- Runaway IRA scenarios
- Roth conversion timing questions
- Charitable giving strategies
These are exactly the types of questions multi-year modeling was designed to answer.
What Information Should You Submit?
Provide the following information:
- What question are you trying to answer?
- Current Age
- Ending (expected death) Age
- Current Savings (non-retirement) Amount
- Current Traditional IRA Amount
- Current Roth IRA Amount
- Rate of Return for accounts
- Social Security Benefit
- Social Security Start Age
- Filing status (MFJ, HoH, Single)
Are submissions anonymous? Yes. Please do not send any personal or client identifying information. If I select your scenario, all information will be presented in an educational format with values rounded for anonymity.
Important Disclaimer
These case studies are anonymous and intended for educational purposes only.
They are not personalized financial, investment, legal, or tax advice.
When I publish a scenario, I am simply demonstrating what the Roth IRA Conversion Optimizer shows based on the assumptions provided. Different assumptions will produce different results. Actual planning decisions should always be reviewed with qualified tax, financial, and legal professionals.
How to Submit a Scenario
For questions on this post or on the submission process please leave a comment below.
To submit a scenario: contact me through the website form. This will ensure your submission is anonymous.
No purchase is necessary. This is available to anyone (advisors or individuals). You do not need to be an Optimizer customer to submit or to be chosen.