Now that jimrac has given an example, I understand the point he is trying to make. However, there's a couple of things he doesn't consider. IF you took an inheritance as cash, and IF you kept it as cash, then yes, you could spend it down without incurring income tax. However, if you take that money and invest it, you will pay taxes upon your gains. But you do get that Âstep up basis jimrac is depending upon. But of course, if you allow the account to compound over time without spending principal, you run the risk of incurring estate taxes for your own heirs. You could also buy an annuity, which has some limited tax advantages. Conversely, inheriting an IRA is different. You do not have to cash out an inherited IRA, in fact you should always roll it over into an FBO account in your and the deceasedÂs names. IF the owner was taking distributions, heirs also have to take distributions  but they can take the minimum distribution (Required Minimum Distribution, or RMD) which at young ages is a very modest amount indeed. If the owner was not taking distributions, the IRA can be left intact until age 70-1/2 for the heir. And in the case of an inherited Roth IRA, there is NEVER any income tax, for owner or heirs. Because the gains in the Roth compound tax-free, they win hands-down over any taxable account. The biggest issue is the salary restrictions (higher wage earners are barred from contributing to a Roth, although in 2010 only they can convert any amount they wish to pay income taxes on now) and the low annual contribution amount (although I expect Congress will probably increase those at some point). As my ex-boss, a respected CFP, used to say, "Don't let the tax tail wag the dog!" Tax planning should be looked at in a holistic fashion. Somebody's going to pay taxes, it just depends on who that is, and how much. Frankly, if you had a $1M mutual fund account - and I know quite a few people who do - if you were that concerned about your heirs paying income taxes, you'd set up an ILIT (Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust) for your immediate heirs, and a Bypass or QTIP trust for the future generation heirs.

1. You can each open a Roth IRA if your modified AGI is less than $160,000. If your modified AGI is between $150,000 and $160,000, you can contribute a reduced amount. 2. You have until April 17, 2007 to contribute to a Roth or traditional IRA for 2006. 3. The maximum contribution to IRA's for 2006 for anyone who is over the age of 50 is $5,000 ($4,000 in regular contributions and $1,000 in "catch up" contributions). You cannot contribute more than your earned income between your and your husband's IRA's. Hope this helps. Here is a link that might be useful: IRS info on Roth IRA's

You can invest the money in any number of ways, so include stock gains and other increases, not just interest.

You will have to pay taxes on whatever amount you convert to the ROTH. The traditional IRA's permit a tax deduction for the amount contributed in a year, with a ROTH the contribution is after tax money. I guess how much you opt to convert would depend on your tax bracket and your ability to pay the taxes on it and how soon after your retirement you plan to begin withdrawing the funds. . I converted the entirety of my IRA money back when you were first permitted to do so. If I remember correctly, I had between 3 and 4 years to pay the taxes on it. I'm glad I did it then. Now the money grows TAX FREE and there is no minimum age at which I must begin withdrawing the money.