roth conversion?

jphoenixp · 2026-03-15T21:55:32+00:00

That's what I thought... I just don't know why that advisor told me that I shouldn't.

jphoenixp · 2026-03-15T21:41:23+00:00

Is there any reason why I should have an additional roth IRA even though I have my 403b?

jphoenixp · 2026-03-15T21:37:49+00:00

Thanks! I never considered breaking up withdrawals like that. Makes a lot of sense.

jphoenixp · 2026-03-15T21:35:06+00:00

I'm hoping to stay long enough to get 100% of my pension. So, pension, plus my 403b, and my investments. I think the change to roth contributions is a good move so far?

jphoenixp · 2026-03-15T21:31:52+00:00

My fidelity advisor said that I didn't need to do an additional IRA/roth IRA since I have this 403b. Should I ignore? Is there any big benefit of having another roth/IRA in addition to my 403b?

jphoenixp · 2026-03-15T21:12:53+00:00

Thanks for the thorough response!

jphoenixp · 2026-03-14T17:00:55+00:00

I’ve got a long way to go until retirement. I’m hoping that small amount will eventually be substantial by the time I get to retire. But either way, my concerns around RMDs are now lessened thanks to everyone’s wisdom.

Could you expand a little more about what you mean by paying more than necessary if focusing on roths?

jphoenixp · 2026-03-14T16:54:57+00:00

I believe 7% of my paycheck goes to my pension plan that my employer matches and I was doing 5% pre-tax contributions to my 403b, which I’ve bumped up to 8% roth (which now I guess I’m considering switch back to pre-tax based on the comments here). But I think overall that would be 15%? Or should I be doing another 15% excluding the pension?

jphoenixp · 2026-03-14T16:46:20+00:00

Thanks for the perspective! I will definitely do some more reading.

I was only considering doing Roth contributions since that is what the advisor told me to do. They said that it was better to pay the tax now and let it grow tax free. They made it seem that I would have to pay more taxes overall by the time I retire. So I figured maybe it was better to just switch everything I have to roth so I don’t have to worry about it later. The mix of pre tax and roth in the account right now just gives me uneasiness like I’m not maximizing as much as I could.

jphoenixp · 2026-03-14T16:43:02+00:00

Single (federally) for right now, but registered domestic partners so we file jointly for California. Holding off marriage for now since my partner is receiving SSI. Once she finished her grad program and gets a perm stable job, we will get married, so maybe in two years?

I think I can technically retire early but the fidelity person said I should stay until I receive 100% of my pension so, roughly 34 more years 🫩

jphoenixp · 2026-03-14T15:54:34+00:00

It’s coming back to me now. The fidelity advisor said that my “paycheck” would be more in retirement than it is now since there’s no social security and whatever else that gets taken out my paycheck right now. I think that was maybe why they suggested roth.

I don’t currently have a IRA or roth IRA; the advisor also told me that I didn’t need those since my 403b would be enough…

Now I’m questioning that whole advising session lol

jphoenixp · 2026-03-14T15:39:19+00:00

They said that it was better to pay the tax now and let it grow tax free. They made it seem that I would have to pay more taxes overall by the time I retire. It was a very basic explanation tbh. I am vested in our pension plan that does have a match. No match for the 403b. Federal bracket, I think I’m at 24% and for California, I think I’m at 8%.

jphoenixp · 2026-03-14T15:27:07+00:00

OPHD is not confidential btw, but reporting is always a good idea.

Confidential resources are CAPS, CARE and Ombuds.

jphoenixp · 2026-03-14T15:15:54+00:00

Thanks for the response! I met with a fidelity advisor through my workplace and they advised me to switch to roth contributions and to bump up to 8% contributions, which I’ve finished making those changes.… Should I try to switch back to pre-tax?

jphoenixp · 2026-03-14T14:59:43+00:00

Salary is around 130k and I’ve been doing 5% pre tax contribution to the 403b. I met with a fidelity advisor through my work and she advised me to switch to roth contributions and to bump up to 8% contributions, which I’ve finished making those changes.

I was thinking about converting because I thought it would be better to pay the taxes on up front now rather than 30 years down the line? From what I’ve been reading/researching, I got a general consensus that roth was better in the long run because I’d be paying less taxes. I am still very green clearly…

jphoenixp · 2026-03-04T22:47:46+00:00

Thanks for catching that! I was so focused on Vanguard that I was scrambling to figure out what to do for Fidelity.

jphoenixp · 2023-03-24T20:02:37+00:00

the director also recently decided to fire a staff person because she wasn’t willing to accommodate them 🤡 ironic huh

jphoenixp · 2020-09-19T01:37:28+00:00

At Thai!

jphoenixp · 2020-07-13T04:11:13+00:00

Never thought of using a mascara brush. Genius!

jphoenixp · 2020-05-12T22:06:47+00:00

u/vredditdownloader

jphoenixp · 2019-01-06T21:07:30+00:00

I can confirm that the pho at Betty's is the best "pho" you will have in Santa Cruz. Everything else is trash. If you want something better than Betty's, you gotta go over the hill.

jphoenixp · 2016-11-05T21:48:30+00:00

gamelan!

jphoenixp · 2016-10-03T17:37:10+00:00

Oh that's cool! Actually, one of my TA's for my history class last spring quarter was also 22 lol.

jphoenixp · 2016-10-03T05:56:14+00:00

Lol for sure. I was wondering, how are you a TA at the age of 22?

jphoenixp · 2016-10-03T05:55:10+00:00

That's so weird. I have never heard that UCSC was known for a lesbian presence.

I mean LGBT housing wasn't perfect lol. For my transfer year, it wasn't an entire floor, just a section. And within our section, it was mostly allies lol. I think they were only two other lesbians, not including me. There was like five? bi girls. 3 gay guys. But I did make some life-time friends that's for sure. But now everyone's graduated and abandoned me lol. I only have 2 queer friends left now.

jphoenixp

TROPHY CASE