Gentlemen:

The discussion so far, while useful, doesn't even scratch the surface of the decision making involved. For example, did you know that once you begin the RMD withdrawals, you are not allowed to convert that amount or a part of it into your Roth Account? So if you are retired and are not yet 70.5 years old you need to consider wealth preservation benefits of converting $ X in advance of that age. If you do convert a large sum, say $200 000, your annual SS benefit will take a fairly big hit in that year. (85% will be taxed and it will be at a high marginal rate.) Then try to take into account: a) impact of higher tax rates in future years on your decision, b) the role of your mortality (life span) on your decison, c) the best set-up for heirs. To be a bit morbid, consider how you wouldn't buy an annuity if you thought you were going to die at age 68. Similarly, dying at 68 means not having to deal with RMD's in the first place. Would a Roth conversion be such a good idea in that case? That opens up  another can of worms: how the circumstances of your heirs and the rules for 401K benificiaries combine to yield a real payout of $ Y.

Actually, I'm in pretty much the situation as described, and I haven't any confidence that I can work through such a humungus puzzle.

Help !?!

BuddyS