IRA

I have a new client we are bringing on board who has an IRA worth $200,000, $40,000 of which represents non-taxable contributions. He is 60 years old and participates in a 401k worth about $1,500,000 and has $65,000 of post-tax contributions in his 401k plan. His 401k plan allows in-service distributions at age 59 and 1/2. He anticipates working 3-5 more years. To avoid pro-rata rule, if we move the $160,000 to his 401k plan from the IRA leaving $40,000 in his IRA and then convert that $40,000 to a Roth IRA, can we turn around and move the $1,500,000 from his 401k to his two IRAs – $65,000 to his new Roth IRA and $1,435,000 to a traditional IRA? Can this be done in the same tax year without triggering the pro-rata rule? If we can do this, then the advantage would be that future earnings in the Roth IRA (about $105,000) would be tax-free instead of taxable inside the current IRA and 401k plan.



  • Some of this depends on the 401k plan provisions, but even if the plan allows full distributions, the pre tax 401k dollars cannot be rolled to an IRA in the same year as the conversion, or the conversion will become mostly taxable.
  • First, client should verify that his entire plan balance can be distributed, not just certain components. Of course, he will be continuing to add to the plan as well. He should also verify that the plan will accept an IRA rollover, even from IRAs that are not strictly rollover IRAs. If OK, then he should roll the 160k into the 401k plan and convert the IRA basis (presumably already reported on Form 8606) to his Roth IRA.
  • Second, once 2019 has arrived, he should request a split rollover from the 401k per Notice 2014-54 as you indicated.
  • Client should consider the benefit of ERISA protection for his 401k before acting, if he lives in a state like CA that offers limited IRA creditor protection.

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