Social Security, IRMAA, Roth Conversions, IRA Beneficiaries: Q&A #2618

May 2, 2026

Social Security, IRMAA, Roth Conversions, IRA Beneficiaries: Q&A #2618

Jim and Chris discuss emails on Social Security survivor benefit strategies, IRMAA exceptions, Roth conversion timing during market downturns, and the implications of naming IRA beneficiaries directly versus routing assets through a trust.

(8:15) A listener whose husband plans to delay Social Security to 70 while she claims early at 62 asks whether she can still receive the maximum survivor benefit if he passes away before reaching 70.

(19:30) The guys field a question about whether the SSA-44 reduced work exception to IRMAA applies when the reduction in earned income is far too small to bring MAGI below the applicable tier.

(31:00) Jim and Chris address whether it makes sense to front-load Roth conversions during a market downturn so that subsequent recovery gains are captured tax-free.

(1:06:00) George wants to better understand the mechanics a trustee must navigate when distributing IRA assets to trust beneficiaries, compared to simply naming beneficiaries directly on the account.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:25:15 — 39.0MB)

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