The “Mega Backdoor Roth” is a strategy to put as many Roth dollars as possible in your Rocket Dollar Self-Directed Solo 401(k). It's pretty obvious to see the advantages of these changes for us. Missing out on the tax deduction is a downside. However, the IRS released guidance that specifically addressed both backdoor Roth IRA conversions, and the so-called Mega Backdoor Roth IRA.As a result, it has gained even more popularity and interest. And the freedom of an IRA would be nice compared to limited 401k choices. Step 1) The first thing to do is to reach out to your benefits coordinator or get a copy of your 401(k) plan and see if you can make after-tax (non-Roth) contributions above the $18,000 annual employee contribution maximum. The process of the Mega Backdoor Roth sounds very simple, but actually being able to do it is difficult. You will have to pay Social Security and Medicare taxes, though. A mega backdoor Roth conversion is very different than the standard backdoor Roth IRA conversion. Roth IRAs normally have an annual contribution limit of $6,000. We don’t call this money non-deductible because you never took it as salary in the first place. There are four main steps to the Mega Backdoor Roth IRA, though the fourth step depends on the specifics of your 401(k) plan. In my latest net worth update, I asked for advice on finding a better way to invest the extra money I had from cashing out my individual stock investments.One of my attending physicians suggested that I google something called the "Mega Backdoor Roth IRA." The mega backdoor Roth is simply the company retirement plan version of the backdoor Roth IRA. Additional Complexity Using a Mega Backdoor Roth IRA. Just make sure the plan allows for them and the proper steps are followed. Is leaving the backdoor roth method open really that important with the mega backdoor still available? Yes it fracking is, and also, you suck. Well, first, we’d advise that you maximize your basic 401(k) contribution and take advantage of the 50% employer match. Here’s how it works. The big downside, unfortunately, is additional complexity. It's a few more steps, and there are specific rules about who has access to this. Mega backdoor Roth IRA is an ideal indirect strategy to contribute plenty of thousands of dollars to a Roth IRA every single year, regardless of your earnings. This is $9,750 of “free money” that you only get through standard 401(k) contributions. Mega Backdoor Roth Benefits. The mega backdoor Roth allows some investors to contribute as much as $37,500 extra (for 2020) to a Roth IRA. There has been a lot of talk lately about the mega backdoor Roth IRA. I make ~200K / year including bonuses, etc. After some research on the topic, I decided to take advantage. I was excited to see my job support the mega backdoor Roth in their 401k last year and immediately took advantage of it. This gives savers greater access to Roth contributions than if they relied strictly on direct Roth 401(k) and IRA contributions. With the Mega Backdoor Roth, you're taking your after-tax 401(k) contributions ($19,500, or $26,000 if you're age 50 or over), converting them into a traditional IRA and then converting them into a Roth IRA. I know if you did trad -> Roth IRA conversion, that has the 5 year waiting period, but I’m fairly certain the after-tax / Mega Backdoor doesn’t have the waiting period. If you have not maxed it out, you do not qualify for the Mega Backdoor. You can only convert $7,000 to your Roth in 2020 using the backdoor Roth strategy. I would say “Yes.” If you’re considering the backdoor Roth, the $6,000 or $12,000 most likely takes the place of a portion of your investments that would otherwise be invested in a taxable account. What is A Mega Backdoor Roth Conversion? With a mega backdoor Roth, you may be able to contribute an additional $37,500 toward your retirement this year on top of the regular plan contribution limits. The answer is probably not, but it’s worth checking. After these rave reviews, shouldn’t everyone with the Mega Backdoor Roth option use it? It’s a complicated process, but the results are well worth it if you can make it work. What is vital to know is that the success of the strategy depends heavily on your 401(k) and IRA providers, and so you’ll need to work closely with them to make sure they understand your plan. Fast forward to retirement, Taylor now has a pool of money in her Roth monies that she can access tax-free — unlike her traditional 401(k) plan. If you choose to contribute to a Roth IRA or to complete a backdoor Roth IRA conversion, you are choosing to be taxed now instead of later. Is a Mega Backdoor Roth Worth It? First saving $53,000 in a year isn’t easy, even if you’re a high-income earner. The main benefit of a mega backdoor Roth over a standard backdoor Roth is that you can contribute a much larger amount. Using a fully optimized Mega Backdoor Roth IRA allows ~$30,000+ of additional annual contributions to the Roth IRA. Advanced planning strategies, such as the mega backdoor Roth, can have many moving pieces and negative tax implications if done incorrectly. Instead, it is a method to add money to a Roth IRA in excess of the typical IRS limits. Before even thinking about doing the Mega Backdoor Roth IRA, you should max out all of your other tax-advantaged investment accounts. Your company’s 401k plan must meet two specific criteria to do a Mega Backdoor Roth Allow after tax contributions above and beyond the $19,000 pre tax contribution limits for 2019. I think RJ is questioning if the Mega Backdoor Roth is in fact superior to a taxable account for FI (specifically those who can utilize the 0% LTCG tax). That was one of the reasons that I went with the Mega Backdoor route rather than a regular brokerage account. My company allows me the ability to do a mega backdoor roth ira, where I can contribute an additional 26K on top of the 18K limit to an after tax 401k which I can then roll over to a roth ira. With Mega Backdoor Roth strategy, Taylor can contribute significantly more than what she could have saved in a Roth IRA on a yearly basis. Investing. However, with the Mega Backdoor Roth, you can save up to $62,000 in a Roth in 2019! We're able to protect a ton more money after-tax, really maximize the value of our retirement accounts, and even lower our payroll taxes (pretty much a free lunch in our case). The Mega Backdoor Roth IRA not only gives an individual the opportunity to use that $37,000 worth of contributions, but it allows the individual the opportunity to put that money into a Roth IRA which is even more attractive for many individuals than a 401(k). Many individuals are aware that in 2019 they can contribute up to $19,000 in their 401(k) as well as an additional $6,000 if they are 50 or older. If you are 50 or older, have you contributed $26,000? The Mega Backdoor Roth IRA is a great retirement strategy. A mega backdoor Roth IRA allows you to contribute an additional $37,500 (2021) to your retirement account by using certain rules relating to your employer-sponsored 401(k) plan. A Mega Backdoor Roth takes advantage of the fact that after tax contributions to a 401k plan are treated just like a Traditional IRA in our previous example of the Backdoor Roth. The Mega Backdoor Roth Strategy. Considering that the annual cap for Roth IRAs is currently $6,000 ($7,000 if you’re over 50) in 2021, this is a big deal. Reply Basically, the mega backdoor Roth IRA is just like a backdoor Roth, but since you can use 401(k) funds, the amount is a lot more. Yes, there a few more steps to go through but it really isn’t that difficult. The backdoor Roth IRA is designed for individuals whose income exceeds the IRS limit for making Roth IRA contributions directly. Is the Backdoor Roth Worth the Trouble? Before you read any further, if you are not max funding your traditional 401k ($19,500 if you are under 50 or $25,500 if you are over 50), then do that first. Is the Mega Backdoor Roth the Best Option for Your Retirement Savings? It is also done with after-tax money. As long as the money remains in a Roth … If you are considering a mega-backdoor Roth conversion it is important to view this in the context of your overall financial strategy. If your employer only offers a traditional 401k, then you’ll rollover the funds into a Roth IRA. Now I'm wondering if it's worth it. For a long time, it was an unspoken secret used by retirement planners. Max out other tax-advantaged accounts first. This happens via their employer’s 401k plan if the plan allows after-tax contributions over and above the limit on employee contributions. How the Mega Backdoor Roth Works. It’s like the backdoor Roth, on steroids! Also, since you contributed to the 401(k) with after-tax contributions, you won’t pay income taxes when you convert. You can never have too much money when you’re in retirement, and the Mega Backdoor Roth IRA lets you add to more your nest egg. The after-tax contributions effectively become Roth IRA contributions. Are the non-Roth after-tax contributions moved to a separate account? The Mega Backdoor Roth 401k is a 401k so there are no pro-rata issues. 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