Editorial Team

Marcus Vance, CFP®

Senior Retirement Strategist

Marcus Vance, CFP®
Verified Editor

Marcus Vance, CFP®

Senior Retirement Strategist at RothIRACalculator.us

Marcus has over 15 years of experience in wealth management and retirement planning. He specializes in designing tax-optimized withdrawal strategies, Roth conversion mapping, and long-term asset location models for retirees and early-stage wealth builders.

Articles written by Marcus Vance (18)

What Happens to a Roth IRA During Divorce? featured illustration
Basics8 min read

What Happens to a Roth IRA During Divorce?

Understand how a Roth IRA may be transferred in divorce and why decree language, direct transfers, and basis records matter.

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Roth IRA Contribution Basis: How to Build and Preserve Your Records featured illustration
Basics7 min read

Roth IRA Contribution Basis: How to Build and Preserve Your Records

Build a durable Roth IRA contribution-basis record using statements and tax forms so future withdrawals can be documented.

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Roth IRA Statements Explained: Contributions, Value, and Tax Forms featured illustration
Basics7 min read

Roth IRA Statements Explained: Contributions, Value, and Tax Forms

Decode Roth IRA statements, distinguish contributions from market value, and understand Forms 5498 and 1099-R.

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Roth IRA Beneficiary Forms: Why the Account Contract Matters featured illustration
Basics8 min read

Roth IRA Beneficiary Forms: Why the Account Contract Matters

See how Roth IRA beneficiary forms interact with wills, trusts, custodian contracts, and inherited-account distribution rules.

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How to Transfer a Roth IRA Between Brokerages Without Tax Trouble featured illustration
Basics8 min read

How to Transfer a Roth IRA Between Brokerages Without Tax Trouble

Follow a direct Roth IRA transfer from receiving firm to completion while avoiding accidental distributions and unsupported assets.

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Can You Have Multiple Roth IRAs? Rules and Practical Tradeoffs featured illustration
Basics7 min read

Can You Have Multiple Roth IRAs? Rules and Practical Tradeoffs

Learn the tax rules for owning several Roth IRAs and when consolidation or separate accounts may simplify retirement planning.

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How Roth IRA Settlement Funds Work After You Make a Contribution featured illustration
Basics8 min read

How Roth IRA Settlement Funds Work After You Make a Contribution

See where Roth IRA cash goes after a deposit, how settlement funds work, and why contributing does not automatically mean investing.

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Roth IRA Custodian vs. Brokerage: What Each One Does featured illustration
Basics8 min read

Roth IRA Custodian vs. Brokerage: What Each One Does

Understand the distinct jobs of a Roth IRA custodian and brokerage, including custody, trading, records, and investor protection.

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Roth IRA Account Fees: What to Compare Before You Open an Account featured illustration
Basics8 min read

Roth IRA Account Fees: What to Compare Before You Open an Account

Learn which Roth IRA fees matter, where they hide, and how to compare total account costs before choosing a provider.

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Balance scale weighing two coins
Strategy9 min read

Roth vs. Traditional IRA: Which Wins for You?

Tax now or tax later? The right answer depends on your current bracket, future income, and time horizon.

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Three glass jars filled with different color coins
Strategy9 min read

Tax Diversification: Why You Want Roth, Traditional, AND Taxable Accounts

The smartest retirees pull from different account types each year to minimize taxes.

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Suit jacket pocket with a coin sticking out
Strategy9 min read

The Roth Game Plan for High Earners

Make over the Roth income limits? You still have powerful tax-free wealth options.

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Folded treasure map with a red X marking a coin spot
Strategy9 min read

Asset Location: What to Hold in Your Roth IRA

Not all investments deserve a spot in your tax-free account. Here's how to prioritize.

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Beach lounge chair next to a small stack of coins
Strategy9 min read

Why Early Retirees Should Love Roth Conversions

The gap years between retirement and Social Security are a Roth conversion goldmine.

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Tall tree with coins hanging like fruit from its branches
Strategy9 min read

Roth IRAs as an Estate Planning Tool

Heirs receive Roth IRAs tax-free — making them one of the best assets to leave behind.

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Two large overlapping coins of different shades
Strategy9 min read

Roth 401(k) vs. Roth IRA: Which Should You Max First?

Both offer tax-free retirement income — but they're not the same. Here's how to prioritize.

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Long winding road with coins scattered along its path
Strategy9 min read

A Lifetime Roth IRA Strategy by Decade

From your 20s to your 70s, here's how to use your Roth IRA at every stage of life.

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Shield shape with a coin inside
Withdrawals9 min read

How the SECURE Act 2.0 Changed Roth IRAs

From higher RMD ages to Roth 401(k) RMD elimination, here's what changed.

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