Will your Roth IRA survive the SECURE Act? As the rules around wealth transfer keep shifting, certified retirement counselor Mark Struthers breaks down what the SECURE Act means for your Roth IRA and, more importantly, for your heirs.
Listen in as we explore why Roth IRAs are still a powerful tool, how new beneficiary rules could impact your estate plan, and why making informed—not fear-driven—decisions is critical. We’ll cover the differences between non-designated, designated, and eligible designated beneficiaries, plus the tax traps and planning strategies you need to know.
What You’ll Learn:
- Understanding Roth IRAs and the SECURE Act.
- The three beneficiary categories.
- The 10-year and 5-year payout rules explained.
- Pros and cons of Roth conversions.
- Tax planning strategies for retirement and inheritance.
- Avoiding common estate planning mistakes.
- The importance of making informed financial decisions.
Ideas Worth Sharing:
- “If something goes to the estate, anything in the estate has to be probated… it could cost a lot, depending on the state you live in.” – Mark Struthers
- “If leaving money to heirs is of critical importance… make sure the rest of your estate plan, the beneficiaries, and everything else are as they should be, but also the converting into Roth might be a good idea.” – Mark Struthers
- “To simply push on your tax balloon and have taxes pushed off as long as possible—not just for your heirs, but for yourself—probably isn’t a good idea.” – Mark Struthers
Resources:
- Work with Mark Struthers
- Subscribe to our Healthy & Wealthy newsletter and get our 2025 Tax Cheat Sheet: Subscribe here
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Disclosure:
Investment advisory services are offered through Sona Financial LLC (DBA Sona Wealth Advisors, Sona Wealth, Sona Wealth Management), an investment adviser registered in the state of MN. Sona Financial only offers investment advisory services where it is appropriately registered or exempt from registration and only after clients have entered into an investment advisory agreement confirming the terms of engagement and have been provided a copy of the firm’s ADV Part 2A brochure and document.
This video or article is for educational purposes only and is not exhaustive. Nothing discussed during this show/episode should be viewed as investment advice. Diversification and/or any strategy that may be discussed does not guarantee against investment losses but is intended to help manage risk and return. If applicable, historical discussions and/or opinions are not predictive of future events. The content is presented in good faith and has been drawn from sources believed to be reliable. The content is not intended to be legal, tax, or financial advice. Please consult a legal, tax, or financial professional for information specific to your individual situation.
This content has not been reviewed by FINRA.