Speaking to a room full of tax-savvy Bogleheads®, Ed makes the case for “investing in taxes” now, while rates are historically low, rather than waiting for larger balances and potentially higher future tax rates. He explains why most investors are over-concentrated in tax-deferred accounts, why that’s dangerous under the SECURE Act’s 10-year rule, and how strategic Roth conversions, charitable planning, and timing of withdrawals can shift money from “forever tax” to “never tax.”
Along the way, Ed tackles the most common objections to Roth conversions (“I’ll be in a lower bracket later,” “I don’t want to trigger IRMAA,” “I don’t want to lose deductions”) and reframes them as short-term thinking that can undermine multi-decade family planning. He also explores practical uses of qualified charitable distributions (QCDs), using trusts in a post-SECURE Act world, and why Congress’s own short-term mindset actually favors Roth planning.
If you want to understand retirement tax planning at a deeper level—not just which account to use, but how to control your tax brackets over time for yourself, your spouse, and your heirs—this talk offers a clear framework delivered with Ed’s trademark humor and urgency.
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
2:20 You Have to Have a Plan
3:48 Always Pay Taxes at the Lowest Rates
6:20 Tax Rates are Currently Historically Low ("Taxes are on sale")
8:40 Five Reasons People Don't Use/Convert to Roth IRAs
30:58 Estate Planning
38:28 Begin with the End in Mind
39:48: Q&A
Recorded on October 18, 2025.
The John C. Bogle Center for Financial Literacy ( is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving financial literacy.
The Center’s mission is to expand the legacy of John C. Bogle, the founder of Vanguard, by promoting the principles of successful investing and financial well-being through education and community.
The Center envisions a world of well-informed, capable, and empowered investors.
Community outreach is achieved through multiple social media channels, the Bogleheads® forum, wiki, and blog, as well as in-person and virtual Bogleheads® chapters worldwide.
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By: Bogleheads
Title: IRA Tax Planning Strategies After OBBBA ''25 and SECURE Acts with Ed Slott
Sourced From: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-r-GdU3DLFs
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