Submitted By: James
Answered: November 26, 2013 8:30 am

I’m 72 years old and do not work. Can I convert my traditional IRA to a Roth IRA?

Yes. Even though there is an age limit for making deductible IRA contributions, there is no age limit for making a conversion from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. There is no need to have earned income in the year in which the conversion is made. Of course, income resulting from the conversion must be recognized, which could impact whether and to what extent Social Security benefits are includible in gross income.

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Tax Glossary

Deductions

Items directly reducing income. Personal deductions such as for mortgage interest, state and local taxes, and charitable contributions are allowed only if deductions are itemized on Schedule A, but deductions such as for alimony, capital losses, moving expenses to a new job location, business losses, student loan interest, and IRA and Keogh deductions are deducted from gross income even if itemized deductions are not claimed.

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