Retirement tax questions

@wjgrayson - rolling everything to one IRA will simplify your life.  Not sure what additional risk you are taking on by rolling it together, unless it is 'counter party' risk. 

 

  @Critter-3 - what risk are you suggesting?

 

Counter-Party risk is the only risk I can think that increases by merging two IRA's at one custodian.  But if that custodian is a federally insured US bank or a  brokerage house that is SIPC insured, I can't see that risk is worth worrying about. 

 

Now, if the IRA's custodial trustee  is  Big Benjamin's 3 Ball Pawn Trustee, then I can see the potential hazards and risk!