Roth or Traditional distribution

[Schulzes]

I recently retired and will need to start taking withdrawals from my from my IRA accounts.  90% of this money is in traditional IRAs. 

1. Can you give me some advice on how to determine which account I should withdraw from (Traditional or Roth)?

2. Should I be converting from Traditional to Roth?  What are the rules on this?

Thanks,

Steven

[Rangers44]

Hi Schulzes,

If you recently retired and are under the age of 72, there may not be a need to withdraw any funds from the Traditional IRA account because these are untaxed funds.

This will allow them to contine to grow until RMD distributions are legally required.

ROTH IRA accounts on the other hand were meant to be used after retirement, since none of earnings are subject to taxed from inception, as long as you are over 59 1/2.