Can You Convert a Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA With No Earned Income?

Key Takeaways

• Roth conversions have no income, age, or filing status restrictions—you can convert if you have an eligible account, even with only Social Security and pension income
• Always use tax planning software to model the full impact of a conversion, including how it affects Medicare premiums, tax credits, deductions, and capital gains taxation before committing
• Pay conversion taxes from non-retirement sources (bank or taxable brokerage accounts) rather than taking additional IRA distributions, which would compound your tax burden
• The conversion creates immediate taxable income in the year you convert, which could push you into a higher tax bracket or cause previously tax-free capital gains to become taxable at 15% or higher
• Consider working with a tax professional to pinpoint the exact conversion amount that maximizes benefits without triggering unnecessary surtaxes or phasing out credits and deductions