Domain: tiger-web1.srvr.media3.us Seeking steer on tax exempt municipal bonds for lowering RMD strategy | Money Talk
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Seeking steer on tax exempt municipal bonds for lowering RMD strategy

Posted on 1/15/26 at 7:11 pm
Posted by Everyday Is Saturday
Member since Dec 2025
172 posts
Posted on 1/15/26 at 7:11 pm
Context:
Will soon be retired.

To park lump sum money to live on for next 3-5 years in tax exempt municipal bonds while concurrently reducing tax deferred RMDs via Roth conversions over next years.

The goal is to keep taxable income “room” for Roth conversions

We are years away from Medicare so not concerned about IRMAA MAGI calculations and brackets

Initial thinking:
VWSUX - money needed in next 2 yrs
VTEB (ETF) - needed 3+ yrs

Nil experience here so welcome MT wisdom in general but specifically:
- Duration - key things to think about
- Managed fund (returns for cost) vs passive

Vanguard and Fidelity funds would be 1st choice.

After tax return is always the objective (vs simply lower taxes).

Appreciate pointers!
Posted by FieldEngineer
Member since Jan 2015
2691 posts
Posted on 1/15/26 at 7:53 pm to
Current age?
Posted by slackster
Houston
Member since Mar 2009
91415 posts
Posted on 1/16/26 at 12:21 am to
Pretty simple math here - what tax bracket are you willing to exhaust doing the conversions?

If it’s 12% or lower, definitely use taxable investments over munis. If it’s 22-24%, irs debatable, and if it’s 32% (which frankly is a psychotic bracket to consider conversions outside of exceptional examples) use munis only.
Posted by Everyday Is Saturday
Member since Dec 2025
172 posts
Posted on 1/16/26 at 9:12 am to
55
Posted by Everyday Is Saturday
Member since Dec 2025
172 posts
Posted on 1/16/26 at 6:17 pm to
quote:

Pretty simple math


Thanks! Did the math. RMD reduction is right thing to do.

Retiring at 55yo (20yrs to RMD year 1). Retirement lump sum provides multiple years of living expenses. Seeking to fill bracket at 22-24% (target number TBD). Roth conversions starting 2027.

Seeking steer on do’s and dont’s, watch outs. Also best munis and strategy to park retirement lump sum, munis duration, active vs passive mgmt, etc.

Appreciate it!!
This post was edited on 1/16/26 at 7:43 pm
Posted by cgrand
HAMMOND
Member since Oct 2009
47016 posts
Posted on 1/16/26 at 10:40 pm to
quote:

Seeking steer on do’s and dont’s
“steer” is a verb not a noun
Posted by LSUFanHouston
NOLA
Member since Jul 2009
40336 posts
Posted on 1/16/26 at 11:52 pm to
quote:

55


You will need to pay the tax on conversion with non-Ira funds.

Otherwise the withholding amount is subject to 10 percent early withdrawal.

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