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Level 2
posted Jun 18, 2024 6:18:43 AM

Consolidating IRAs or not?

I have mainly two IRA accounts, one is a SEP IRA and the other is a Traditional IRA. The SEP IRA has the majority of funds around 3× as much as the Traditional IRA.

Since it is getting on time to start withdrawing funds I was wondering if I should:

  1. Consolidate the all the funds into the SEP IRA
  2. Withdraw funds equally or proportionally from both
  3. Withdraw funds from the Traditional IRA first
  4. Withdraw funds from the SEP IRA first

 

What would be the pros or cons for any of the choices?

 

Thank in advance

0 3 1523
3 Replies
Level 15
Jun 18, 2024 8:58:42 AM

The SEP and traditional IRA are treated alike assuming that the traditional IRA has all pretax contributions. In fact they can be merged into one account. 

Level 2
Jul 1, 2024 4:37:24 PM

Right, they are not Roth IRAs. At 68 years old it probably isn't worth converting some or all to Roths.

 

I'm just wonder if there is any advantage to consolidating the two or not. I had two Traditional IRA mutual funds but I consolidated them years ago, getting rid of the slower performer. I opened the 2nd IRA because there was one year you could get a tax credit for opening a new Traditional IRA.

 

Now I had some unexpected expenses which I have to dip into my IRAs or investments to cover. I don't know which would be better to dip into,

Level 15
Jul 1, 2024 5:04:03 PM

When you merge IRA’s the assets remain unchanged. They are just under one account. Which asset to sell is beyond the purview of this site.