@fanfare
Thank you for responding promptly. Let me make sure I understand this, please. Is the following a correct summary?
“RMDs do not count as earned income in terms of eligibility to contribute to a Roth IRA in any given year. However, if your agi is over IRS-specified limits RMDs do count against your eligibility to contribute directly to a Roth IRA.
“Therefore, you must have earned income from a W-2, or self-employment income, to be eligible to contribute to a Roth. Even if you are eligible to contribute, if your agi is over IRS-specified limits, you cannot contribute directly to a Roth, but must use the back-door method (aka two-step method) to contribute to a Roth. (See IRS Pub 590)"
Thank you!
