Roth conversion and rmd planning

Several major online brokerage platforms provide integrated digital planning tools, calculators, and account-management features to help you model Roth conversions and project or handle Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs).

The top major brokerages offering these capabilities include:

1. Fidelity Investments

• Roth Conversion Tools: Fidelity offers a dedicated Fidelity Roth Conversion Calculator and an advanced Roth Conversion Evaluator embedded inside their comprehensive online Planning & Guidance Center . These tools let you model partial or full multi-year conversions, estimate ordinary income tax impacts based on your current/future brackets, and run scenarios using outside taxable cash to pay the conversion tax.digital.fidelity.com+1
• RMD Management: Fidelity's planning engine projects future RMD obligations (starting at age 73 under current SECURE 2.0 rules) year-by-year across your retirement timeline. They also feature automated RMD distribution services to calculate, schedule, and execute your yearly withdrawals cleanly from traditional IRAs.schwab.com

2. Charles Schwab

• Roth Conversion Tools: Schwab provides a specialized Charles Schwab Roth IRA Conversion Calculator that factors in current cost-of-living tax tables, filing status, expected rates of return, and time horizons to compare the future value of retaining a Traditional IRA versus converting. Their comprehensive financial planning software allows you to view how tax-bracket filling affects overall wealth.schwab.com
• RMD Management: Schwab provides clear online Schwab RMD Calculators and built-in account support. Once you reach RMD age, Schwab tools dynamically track your December 31 fair market value balances from the prior year and offer automated distribution options to streamline annual payouts.schwab.com

3. Merrill Edge (Bank of America)

• Roth Conversion & RMD Tools: Merrill Edge provides an interactive suite via their Guidance portal, featuring both a standalone Roth IRA Conversion Calculator and an RMD Calculator designed for individuals age 73 and older. While more lightweight than Fidelity’s end-to-end planning engine, they allow you to project tax consequences and map out cash flow needs.merrilledge.com

4. Vanguard

• Roth Conversion & RMD Tools: Vanguard provides robust educational frameworks—such as their Break-Even Tax Rate (BETR) methodology—alongside interactive tools to analyze whether a conversion makes sense relative to your tax horizon. Their retirement income planning views project tax-deferred drawdowns and RMD milestones, though executing complex multi-year Roth ladder optimizations often requires pairing their digital tools with self-directed modeling or consulting with a Vanguard wealth advisor.investor.vanguard.com

To help narrow down which platform fits best, let me know:

• Are you currently taking RMDs or still years away from them?
• Do you plan to pay conversion taxes from the IRA itself or from outside taxable accounts?

The strongest brokerage choices for modeling Roth conversions and managing required minimum distributions (RMDs) are Fidelity and Charles Schwab. Both offer dedicated retirement-planning calculators, while Fidelity has a particularly convenient combination of conversion analysis, tax estimation, and tools for managing actual retirement-account distributions.www.fidelity.com+3

One important distinction: a calculator that estimates future RMDs isn't necessarily a tool that tracks and helps execute your actual withdrawals. If you want both long-term tax planning and hands-on distribution management, I'd prioritize platforms that offer both.

Best brokerage platforms to consider

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1. Fidelity Investments

(Best overall)

Best for DIY retirement tax planning

Fidelity offers a Roth Conversion Calculator, an RMD Calculator, a Retirement Strategies Tax Estimator, and a Retirement Distribution Center for viewing and managing distributions. Its tools can help you compare conversion amounts, estimate taxes, and calculate required withdrawals.www.fidelity.com+3

• Roth conversion modeling: Yes
• RMD estimates: Yes
• Distribution management: Yes, for Fidelity retirement accounts

Explore Fidelity's retirement planning tools

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2. Charles Schwab

Best alternative for calculator-based planning

Schwab offers a Roth conversion calculator that compares hypothetical traditional and Roth IRA outcomes, plus an RMD calculator that considers account balances, beneficiary circumstances, and expected investment returns. Its calculators are useful for exploring conversion scenarios and estimating required withdrawals.www.fidelity.com+3

• Roth conversion modeling: Yes
• RMD estimates: Yes
• Distribution management: Confirm the account-specific workflow with Schwab

Roth conversion calculator ·RMD calculator

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3. E*TRADE

Best for RMD estimates alongside brokerage investing

E*TRADE publishes an RMD calculator and broader retirement-readiness tools. It's worth considering if you want to estimate required withdrawals, but I could not verify an equivalent dedicated Roth conversion calculator from the sources reviewed.us.etrade.com

• Roth conversion modeling: Not verified
• RMD estimates: Yes
• Distribution management: Verify available account features

Explore E*TRADE's planning tools

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4. Vanguard

Best for investors who already use Vanguard

Vanguard publishes a Roth conversion calculator through its advisor resources that explicitly models current and future tax brackets, investment growth, and RMD effects. However, this particular tool is designed for financial advisors and their clients, so access may differ from a standard self-service brokerage calculator.advisors.vanguard.com

• Roth conversion and future RMD modeling: Yes, through its advisor tool
• Direct, self-service RMD management: Not verified to the same level as Fidelity

View Vanguard's Roth conversion calculator

Which one should you choose?

My recommendation is to start with Fidelity, then compare its projections with Schwab if you're making substantial conversions over several years.

What to look for in a good planning tool

Whichever brokerage you choose, check whether it can:

• Model conversions across multiple tax years, not just a single conversion.
• Estimate federal and state income taxes on each conversion.
• Show how conversions affect future RMDs and taxable retirement income.
• Account for Social Security taxation and Medicare IRMAA surcharges.
• Track RMD deadlines and withdrawals across multiple retirement accounts.

One critical IRS rule: you must satisfy any RMD due for the year before converting additional traditional IRA funds to a Roth IRA. The RMD itself cannot be converted. Roth conversions are generally taxable in the year completed, so coordinating the conversion schedule with your tax bracket matters.www.fidelity.com+1

The brokerage calculators are useful starting points, but confirm whether they incorporate all your outside accounts and tax assumptions before relying on their projections.

Would you like to compare the two leading options in more detail?

[Compare Fidelity vs. Schwab] [Compare independent planning software]

If your priority is a brokerage account with built-in retirement planning, Roth conversion calculators, and required minimum distribution (RMD) tracking, I would put Fidelity Investments at the top of your list, with Charles Schwab as a strong alternative.

The important distinction is that some brokerages offer calculators, while others also help you monitor and manage actual retirement account distributions.

Best brokerage options

• 

1. Fidelity Investments

(Best overall match)

• Roth conversion calculator.
• RMD calculator, including estimates for outside retirement accounts.
• Retirement distribution center to view and manage distributions and RMD calculations.
• Retirement income and tax-strategy planning tools.

Particularly good if you want calculations and ongoing distribution management in one brokerage.

urlFidelity retirement calculators and toolsturn263388search1

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2. Charles Schwab

• Dedicated Roth IRA conversion calculator.
• Models current and future tax rates.
• Accounts for conversion amounts, investment returns, and state taxes.
• Good brokerage and retirement account options.

Strong for evaluating conversion scenarios. Verify the extent of integrated RMD tracking before choosing it.

urlSchwab Roth IRA conversion calculatorturn263388search5

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3. Vanguard

• Sophisticated Roth conversion analysis.
• Models current versus future tax rates.
• Considers the effect of RMDs on future retirement assets.
• Includes break-even tax-rate analysis.

Excellent conversion research, although its most advanced calculator is designed for financial advisors rather than being a complete individual brokerage RMD dashboard.

urlVanguard Roth conversion calculatorturn263388search0

Feature comparison

Vanguard's advanced calculator is primarily advisor-oriented.

Why I favor Fidelity

Fidelity has a particularly useful combination of tools:

1. Roth Conversion Calculator: Estimate the tax cost of converting different amounts from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA.
2. RMD Calculator: Estimate required distributions, including from retirement accounts held outside Fidelity.
3. Retirement Distribution Center: View and manage retirement distributions and annual RMD calculations.
4. Retirement Strategies Tax Estimator: Compare the tax implications of different withdrawal strategies.

Sources:www.fidelity.com+2

One important detail: an RMD itself cannot be converted to a Roth IRA. You must first take the required distribution, then you can potentially convert additional eligible traditional IRA assets.www.fidelity.com+2

My recommendation

I would start with Fidelity. It appears to be the closest match to your request because it combines the Roth conversion analysis with actual RMD calculation and distribution management.

A few questions to narrow down the best choice

Your answers could change my recommendation, particularly if you're already approaching RMD age.

1. What is your approximate age?

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2. Which accounts do you currently have or plan to transfer?

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3. What retirement planning features matter most?

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4. Do you want a self-directed brokerage or professional guidance?

[Compare brokerages for my situation]

I can then narrow this down to the best two or three brokerages, including their fees, planning capabilities, and how well they handle multi-year Roth conversion and RMD strategies.

Yes. Fidelity and Charles Schwab both offer built-in tools for estimating required minimum distributions (RMDs) and simulating Roth conversions. They are good places to start if you want to model retirement tax strategies without immediately hiring a financial planner.

The important distinction is whether a platform simply calculates this year's RMD or also helps you simulate a multi-year strategy involving Roth conversions, future tax brackets, retirement income, and the effect of withdrawals on your savings.

Best brokerage platforms to consider

• 

1. Fidelity Investments

(Best overall starting point)

Fidelity has dedicated tools for both sides of your question: an RMD calculator and a Roth IRA Conversion Calculator. Its retirement planning tools also include tax estimators and retirement income projections.www.fidelity.com+2

• RMD planning: Estimate required withdrawals and manage distributions.
• Roth conversion simulation: Compare estimated taxes on different conversion amounts today with potential future tax savings.
• Broader planning: Retirement Analysis can help model your retirement outlook and evaluate conversion strategies with an advisor.

Links: RMD and retirement tools ·Roth conversion information

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2. Charles Schwab

(Best for combining calculators with guidance)

Schwab provides separate calculators for Roth conversions and annual or inherited RMDs. Clients can also access a complimentary Schwab Plan financial plan and speak with a financial consultant.www.schwab.com+1

• RMD planning: Estimate annual RMDs, including inherited-account distributions.
• Roth conversion simulation: Explore the estimated impact of converting a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA.
• Broader planning: Combine calculator results with a personalized financial plan.

Link:Schwab financial planning tools

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3. Vanguard

Vanguard is worth considering if you primarily want low-cost, long-term retirement investing. However, I couldn't verify from the sources reviewed that Vanguard offers an equally comprehensive, integrated RMD-and-Roth-conversion simulator. I'd compare its current planning tools with Fidelity and Schwab before choosing it specifically for tax planning.

Link:Vanguard

If you want to simulate a multi-year strategy, look beyond brokerages

For your particular use case, these independent retirement-planning platforms may be more powerful than brokerage calculators alone.

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Boldin — best for DIY scenario modeling

Its Roth Conversion Explorer models conversion schedules year by year, including projected RMDs, lifetime taxes, tax brackets, retirement income, and estate outcomes.help.boldin.com+1

Explore Boldin's Roth Conversion Explorer

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MaxiFi — best for optimization

Its Roth Conversion Optimizer evaluates how much to convert in different years, accounting for RMDs, Social Security taxation, Medicare IRMAA surcharges, and federal and state taxes. The optimization feature is available in specified paid plans, not MaxiFi Standard.www.maxifi.com+1

Explore MaxiFi's Roth Conversion Optimizer

How I would choose

One caveat: a calculator that estimates your RMD and a tool that optimizes future Roth conversions are not the same thing. If you want to know whether converting, for example, $50,000 annually for five years could reduce future RMDs and lifetime taxes, I'd start with Boldin or MaxiFi, then verify the strategy with your tax professional.

What the simulator should account for

Before relying on any platform, check whether it models:

• Federal and state income taxes.
• Future RMDs and the effect of conversions on those distributions.
• Social Security taxation and Medicare IRMAA premium thresholds.
• Different conversion amounts and tax-bracket limits.
• Whether conversion taxes are paid from taxable savings or retirement assets.

Also, any RMD due for the year generally must be taken before converting the remaining eligible traditional IRA assets to Roth. A conversion itself is generally taxable as ordinary income.www.fidelity.com+1

One question that would help me narrow this down: Are you looking for a tool that works entirely inside your existing brokerage account, or would you be comfortable using a separate planning platform if it offers substantially better multi-year tax simulations?