Should I Convert to a ROTH IRA? A Talk with Ed Slott

Published: Sept. 7, 2014, 9:41 p.m.

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Taxes suck. They erode away your income, savings and investments. One strategy to maximize your retirement savings is to convert your IRA to a ROTH IRA.\\xa0ROTH IRAs are a powerful tool to help you do this but there are lots tax and planning issues to consider first.

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That\'s why I turned to\\xa0Ed Slott, America\'s IRA expert.\\xa0He is a nationally recognized IRA-distribution expert, a professional speaker, and the creator of several public television specials, including the most recent, Ed Slott\\u2019s\\xa0Retirement Rescue!

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Investing Corner--The Importance of Dividends

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When most people thing of making money in equities, they think of buying low and selling high. That\'s a great strategy, but it\'s only part of the story. This week I explore the importance dividends can have in any investment portfolio.

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I discuss these 5 reasons dividend can be a benefit to any portfolio:

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  1. How dividends have comprised over 50% of the total return of the S&P 500 index
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  3. The favorable tax treatment dividends can receive
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  5. How dividends can be a good hedge against inflation
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  7. Why dividends can help you control risk in your portfolio
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  9. What are the attributes of most companies that pay dividends
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Retirement Tip of the Week

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During my conversation with Ed Slott, we cover:

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  1. Best places to save for retirement
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  3. The benefit of contributing to a ROTH IRA
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  5. Ed\'s "Forever Tax to Never Tax" strategy using a ROTH IRA
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  7. The importance of understanding the ROTH IRA conversion rules
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  9. When it doesn\'t make sense to use a ROTH IRA
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  11. How to use ROTH IRAs as an estate planning vehicle
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  13. The types of people that should consider converting to a ROTH IRA
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  15. The order to draw from your taxable, IRA & ROTH IRA accounts during retirement
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  17. The benefits of drawing from your IRA in order to delay Social Security during retirement
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  19. Biggest mistakes people make with IRAs
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Have you considered converting to a ROTH IRA? \\xa0

If you have a question, ask me\\xa0at rogerwhitney.com

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