Webinar Registration

Roth Conversions vs. Early Withdrawals:
Finding the Optimal Path to After-Tax Retirement Income
Date: Wednesday, October, 29 2025 04:00 PM
CE Eligible
Duration: 75 minutes
Jim DiLellio
Jim DiLelllio
Associate Professor of Decision Sciences Pepperdine University

Dr. DiLellio is an Associate Professor of Decision Sciences in the Graziadio Business School at Pepperdine University. He holds a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics from Northwestern University and an MBA from Pepperdine University.  His current research interests include nonlinear optimization, simulation, and Kalman filtering techniques for modeling investment problems. The application of this research covers portfolio management, tax-efficient investing, retirement planning, commodity price modeling, and the analysis of investment strategies. He has received a best paper award, sponsored by the CFP® Board of Standards, on retirement income planning.

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Financial advisors and retirees alike face a critical question: when and how should assets be drawn from tax-deferred and Roth accounts to maximize after-tax wealth? In this data-driven session, Professor James DiLellio presents groundbreaking research that directly compares the outcomes of Roth conversions versus early drawdowns from mixed retirement accounts. His analysis reveals that multiple strategies can achieve the same optimal after-tax results—many of which are surprisingly resilient to market risk.

Attendees will explore how tax-efficient withdrawal strategies can balance income needs, risk tolerance, and estate planning goals. The presentation also highlights when forgoing Roth conversions can reduce longevity risk exposure and improve long-term tax efficiency, particularly for retirees with significant unrealized capital gains. This session bridges academic rigor with practical application, equipping financial professionals to guide clients through one of the most complex—and consequential—decisions in retirement planning.

Learning Objectives:

  • Compare the tradeoffs between early tax-deferred account distributions and Roth conversions, and understand why optimal after-tax outcomes may be identical under multiple strategies.
  • Identify key client factors—asset mix, income needs, planning horizon, and tax sensitivity—that drive optimal after-tax retirement income decisions.
  • Evaluate how market volatility and longevity risk influence decision-making and determine when avoiding Roth conversions may better align with long-term estate and tax goals.

*CE/CPE Eligible: 1.0 CE credit(s) is(are) available to FEN Members with these designations: CFP, IAR, CLU, ChFC and RICP. CPA members will earn 1.0 CPE credit(s).
Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge
Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this session.
Advanced Preparation: None
Program Level: Basic
Delivery Method: Group Internet Based
NASBA Approved
Financial Experts Network (Sponsor Id#: 145173) is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org.