Updated
Updated · larrykotlikoff.substack.com · May 28
MaxiFi Claims $444,164 Lifetime Tax Savings by Optimizing Roth Conversions and Social Security
Updated
Updated · larrykotlikoff.substack.com · May 28

MaxiFi Claims $444,164 Lifetime Tax Savings by Optimizing Roth Conversions and Social Security

1 articles · Updated · larrykotlikoff.substack.com · May 28
  • $444,164 in added lifetime discretionary spending and tax savings came from jointly optimizing Roth conversions and Social Security for a hypothetical 62-year-old retiree, MaxiFi said.
  • The software argues the gain comes from global optimization rather than the common “fill the tax bracket” approach, which can miss Social Security taxation, Medicare IRMAA surcharges and state taxes.
  • In MaxiFi’s example, delaying Social Security to age 70 alone added $153,059, while combining that choice with Roth conversions lifted savings to $444,164 versus smaller gains under bracket-filling strategies.
  • The report says conventional Wall Street planning and generic AI advice can materially understate risks or leave money on the table because Roth conversion timing is a non-linear lifetime tax problem.
How can optimizing Roth conversions and Social Security together add over $400,000 to your retirement funds?
Is the 'fill the bracket' Roth strategy now a costly trap under the new 2025 tax law?