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Suze Orman
Hi, everybody. Suzio here. Now, what is the goal of money? The goal of money is for you to be secure. And there is no better way for you to be secure than having an emergency savings account. It is essential for your financial foundation. So all of you should be participating in the ultimate opportunity savings account at Alliant Credit Union. Go to myalliant.com to find out more. And be secure.
Unknown
We are strong, we are wise we will not apologize we are here we will die Together we will rise we're the little bit of faith and everything it takes we are strong we are wise Together we will rise.
Suze Orman
May 15, 2025. Welcome, everybody, to the Women and Money podcast, as well as everybody smart enough to listen. Drum roll. Introducing the one and only KT.
KT
Today is Ask Susie Anything, starring KT.
Suze Orman
What else is today, KT May 15th.
KT
And we're going back to the island first.
Suze Orman
Finally, we have been in Florida for one full month now. Yes, we have one day. We'll tell you why, but that's besides the point. But today we get to go back to our home in the island. So KT could not be more excited if she tried, right?
KT
I'm very happy because this is now coming into the season I love the most, which is summer.
Suze Orman
What do you love about it?
KT
Hot, calm, beautiful, long days, early mornings, late late nights.
Suze Orman
And hurricanes.
KT
Well, that's at the end of the summer. It's called hurricane season. This is just lazy summer floating around with Susie in the ocean. Very calm summer.
Suze Orman
All right, so today is Ask KT and Suzie Anything. If you have a question that you would possibly like for us to answer it on the podcast, please write into asksusypodcastmail.com. by the way, you're better off just writing into asksusypodcastmail.Com versus sending in a question on the Women and Money community app. For some reason, don't ask me. Those don't necessarily always go through. So if you have a question, Ask Susie podcast, kt. Okay, let's begin.
KT
My first question, Susie, is from.
Suze Orman
My voice is hoarse today, huh? Is down. What is my voice today?
KT
It's okay. It's getting a little better. Susie had lots of procedures on her throat.
Suze Orman
Yeah.
KT
So we're trying to get rid of this cough you all know about. But today's pretty good.
Suze Orman
Pretty good. But that's why we've been here for a month.
KT
Yeah, not bad.
Suze Orman
All right, all right.
KT
So I'll do most of the talking. This is from Whitney.
Suze Orman
I got news, everybody. Even if my throat is 1000%. Katie always does most of the talking anyway. Go on.
KT
Yes, she does. And this is from Whitney. She said, susie, here's why I'm writing. I've just gone through a divorce and one of the major reasons I divorced him was our different approaches to money. So true. Right, Susie? So she said, my ex husband is an extremely prominent one world class scientist who is known throughout his field as just about the best in the world. He can do the most complicated mathematical computations that one can think of. However, this is funny. When it comes to the simple arithmetic of income minus expenses, he struggles. Just goes to show that even if you are a highly educated professor and at a university, sometimes common sense isn't so common.
Suze Orman
Now I actually gave that to KT to open up today's podcast. Do you wonder why kt?
KT
Yeah, why? I think it was funny.
Suze Orman
You think it was funny, but I know it's true. When I was actually seeing clients, had my own firm and everything, what absolutely puzzled me is that doctors, lawyers, neurosurgeons, you name it, they were so horrible with money, I can't even tell you. And I almost got to the point, everybody, seriously, kt, that because I always had a waiting list of people wanting to see me that one of the questions was, are you a doctor?
KT
And then you wouldn't see them.
Suze Orman
And then really we would put them down to the bottom of the list because it was just so frustrating to me because number one, they always thought what they thought was correct, even if it wasn't and they didn't understand the simplest of things, just like Whitney was saying. So the reason that I wanted that is because maybe you're in a relationship with somebody who is a brainiac, very high powered job, knows everything, very intellectual, who knows what. That doesn't mean they're good with money because money is all about emotions and that's what we learned on last Sunday.
KT
And common sense, a lot of common sense.
Suze Orman
So I just want you to be aware, if you're in a relationship with somebody who makes a lot of money, very high powered, regarded by everybody as this most brilliant person around, it does not mean that you should lose your power thinking that they're better at it than you, because chances are they are not.
KT
All right, kt, okay, so Susie asked me to redo a question that we actually had on last Thursday, but the information that she gave to this question was inaccurate. So we, we're redoing it and we've got a much better and more succinct answer and guidance for all of you. And it's kind of sad. This question. Hi Susie. My 60 year old sister recently passed away. Her 401k is worth $281,000. My other sister and I are the beneficiaries. I'm 62. My sister is 64. So all these girls were in their 60s and the young one died. She said, we also have two other siblings we wish to share it with. They are 59 and 64. We're all still working. The funds will be transferred to an inheritance 401k. What is the best way to share with our other two siblings?
Suze Orman
Yeah. Now here's the thing. Notice that in this question it says that the funds will be transferred to an inheritance 401k. All of you have to understand that the, the way a 401k is done in most corporations versus an inherited IRA is very, very different. So I answered as if the money was going to stay in a 401k that's inherited. Now, many corporations listen to me closely, do not really Honor the secured 2.0 act where if you are an eligible beneficiary, that you can then do what? Take it out over your lifespan. They would simply say in most corporations that you have 10 years to wipe an inherited 401k clean. And that's how I answered the question. What's important for all of you to know is if you're ever in a situation where you have money that you're inheriting from a 401k, you're far better off transferring it to an inherited IRA in your individual names. And so the sisters, that is what you should do now because it will be in an inherited ira. Now, you are what's called an eligible designated beneficiary, which means that you can take this account over and stretch the withdrawals over your entire life expectancy. And why can you do that? Because you happen to be an individual that's not more than 10 years younger than the deceased IRA owner, which you're not. You're actually older than her, but it doesn't matter if you're older. You also qualify as an eligible designated beneficiary. So the correct answer to this question is if you do an inherited IRA in your individual names, you are an eligible designated beneficiary and you can absolutely take it out over your life expectancies. You, you do not have to wipe it clean in 10 years. What KT?
KT
How do they share it?
Suze Orman
They share it. Now this becomes a little difficult because it depends how much do they want to share and because it's in a traditional inherited ira. Any money they take out, they're going to have to pay ordinary income taxes on it. So they're going to have to decide do they want to take a lump sum out and just give it to the sisters minus the tax that's going to be owed on it, Are they going to take it out in small little lump sum?
KT
So in essence, they have to have a family meeting to determine how they all wish to share this.
Suze Orman
Yes. But if they share it, they need to make sure that it's equal and that the sisters also have to pay income tax on whatever is being shared to them.
KT
Everyone shares the expenses as well.
Suze Orman
Yeah.
KT
Okay.
Suze Orman
Okay.
KT
All right, well, that's clear. So next question's from Jillian. She said, hi, Susie. I'm a federal worker stationed overseas. I have two dependents, spouse and child. I am the sole breadwinner. I used to feel like my job was stable. But as you know, we are living in fear of losing our jobs at any moment. What a shame, right? No comment here, Susie. I just. Stupid, I know. Anyway, so Gillian said, I have significant debt, but still pay into my TSP and have a decent emergency fund.
Suze Orman
Now, everybody, TSP is a thrift savings plan, which is essentially a 401k or 403b, but it's for federal employees.
KT
All right, so her question is, should I stop paying into my TSP and and use both that money and the emergency fund money to pay down debt note? Now this is important. She said, doing this won't even cover half of my debt.
Suze Orman
Now, kt, if you were going to answer that question, what would you say.
KT
If I did a pop quizzy? I would say, no, I don't think she should stop paying into the tsp and I definitely would not use that emergency fund money.
Suze Orman
And why shouldn't she stop paying into the tsp?
KT
Because that's growing. I think that what she has to do is use other monies to pay down the debt.
Suze Orman
So. All right, so pretty good, kt. Kind of ding, a ding, a ding. Listen to me.
KT
Was that a little pop up quiz? Because we weren't going to do them anymore.
Suze Orman
I know. A little pop up for you.
KT
Do you all miss the quizzes?
Suze Orman
Everybody don't ask us if they say, yes, I'm going to do it again. KT was always so nervous about these quizzes.
KT
When the quizzy time came up, I was like, let's hurry up and finish this recording. I hated the quizzes because I didn't get them right.
Suze Orman
And then I Realized, if KT hates anything, why the heck are we doing it? That just was stupid. So I stopped the quizzes. But here's the thing I want all of you to know. The key answer to this question is note. Doing this won't even cover half of my debts. So she can stop putting all this money towards her retirement, and it still will not help her with her debts. There is a rule of thumb. When you owe more money than you are worth, you are essentially bankrupt, number one. Number two, and none of you are to forget what I'm about to say. Your TSP, your IRA, your 401K, your 403B, are all protected against bankruptcy. So if you put a lot of money into your Roth ira, into your tsp, you built it and built it and built it. Guess what? If ever you needed to claim bankruptcy, that money would be safe and sound. Therefore, no, do not stop putting money in a place that's safe and sound. Now, if you had said to me, if I did this, I'd be out of debt in, like, six months or eight months. Different answer. But given the fact that you have so much debt, I have a feeling that especially if you lose your job, you're the sole breadwinner, and on and on, we may be heading for a situation that you just want to protect everything you possibly can. All right, go on.
KT
This next question is my favorite because of the name Loopy. This is from Loopy. I love that name. Her name Loopy. L U P. I Lupi love that name.
Suze Orman
You know why? She really loves. Loves that name. Kt And I used to have a little favorite word, right, that. That when I was on tv, that I would let her know I was thinking about her and it would be like, doopie, whatever it could be, but like something loopy. Loopy, Doopy. And it was kind of like pulling your.
KT
She'd say, like, the markets are really doopy loopy today. Kt. And I knew. Or she'd say, today. And I knew it was for me.
Suze Orman
Yeah.
KT
All right, so. So this is from Lupi. She said, hi, Susie. Thanks for sharing all of your knowledge. I'll be 70 this summer and will begin taking SSI the last four months of the year. Filing jointly with my husband, I project our combined income for 2025 will be less than that $60,000. I'm contemplating converting a portion of my traditional Iraq to a Roth this year. My goal is to convert just enough to keep us in the current tax bracket, which should be 12%. Is this a good idea to do the conversion in this down market, as.
Suze Orman
You'Re reading, this market is not a down market anymore.
KT
Not anymore. Not anymore. This email was sent a little while ago, but it sure isn't the same today.
Suze Orman
Now, first of all, it's true. So if her income is $60,000, her base income a year, that's approximately $30,000 under what it would be for her to go to the next income tax bracket, which would be 22%, by the way. So she has approximately $29,450 that she could convert and still stay in the 12% tax bracket. So that's just something that she should look at if she wants to do it. What you should be doing right now, because these markets have really gone up. So. And aren't you all thrilled that you stayed in, that you didn't get out, that you just kept dollar cost averaging and now you have stocks like Palantir almost at $130? Are you kidding me? Really? You all should be so happy right now. But then another month from now when it turns around, you're going to be so depressed again. The lesson you have had got to learn from all this is just stick with it. Just keep dollar cost averaging. Just stick with what's good and everything like that for you, my dear Loopy, what you should be doing seriously is take a look at your portfolio. And anything that really hasn't skyrocketed that much, why don't you just convert? Even if it did skyrocket, it's possible that it's going to continue to skyrocket. You know, it's projected. Now, Mr. Fitzgerald says that he thinks Palantir is going to go to 200.
KT
Wow.
Suze Orman
So if you happen to own Palantir, for instance, you can't just wait till something goes down. You have to decide, I want to keep it. I'm just going to convert it. So just start doing it now, little by little. So you stay in the 12% tax bracket and just get the money over there. It's no longer a down market. And you just can't necessarily say I'm going to wait because it may not be a down market again, but that.
KT
It might for a while, but who knows?
Suze Orman
That's right. So, kt, tell everybody what you said to me yesterday after I said to you, look, kt, we're back way up again in our portfolio.
KT
I said, make sure we don't go back down again.
Suze Orman
Right. So she, and she was serious.
KT
I was serious. I said, great, how do you, how do you stay up there, Susie?
Suze Orman
And I said, you probably don't. So that's what she said. Everybody wants to always stay up there, but they don't like when it goes down.
KT
For years she would come in and say, kt, your Apple shares, for instance, your apples are up like 500 points or whatever. And I'd say, sell them. That my answer to every time she announced that I had a gain, I'd say sell it just like that. And she would laugh at me and walk out of the room. And I'm really glad she did because if I kept doing that, I actually wouldn't get anywhere, quite honestly.
Suze Orman
And just so all of you know, I don't plan, I hope KT doesn't either, to sell anything that we have. I think they're all incredible investments. I think if the market goes down dramatically again, I will just buy more of what I already have. And so I'm thrilled when the market goes down and I love seeing it go back up again. But overall the trend is really up right now. Kt, we're no longer, in my opinion, in this like bear market that's gonna go down, down, down, down, down. I think overall these markets are up at this point in time. So maybe Sunday I'll go over some areas of the market that I think are probably really good for all of you should to be involved in, in case you're not. All right.
KT
I think that would be a great idea. It's a good time to do that.
Suze Orman
Yeah. Give me one more question.
KT
Okay, so I have one here from CP and she said, this is Carol. She said, hi Susie. I had a 401k from a previous employer and that I rolled into a traditional ira. I was then advised to contribute into the IRA which I have been doing for years. I just realized after hearing some of your podcast that I was contributing after tax amounts to pre tax IRA for which I'm not getting any deductions. I mean, that's crazy, right?
Suze Orman
Well, she could have been doing a Roth the whole time and getting tax free growth.
KT
So. Wait, let me finish telling you what she's doing. I just stopped contributing to the IRA. I'm 52, I can't withdraw from the IRA yet. Question is, can I withdraw the after tax contribution I made in the IRA without paying tax on the total amount and open a Roth ira as you advise to open a Roth for tax free withdrawal. I need guidance on this. Susie, I appreciate it. Thank you so much. Yeah, so Carol is a little bit confused.
Suze Orman
Yeah. So Carol, I'm so sorry that your financial advisor didn't take the time to just give you a little bit more guidance. That said, rather than contributing after tax dollars to your IRA that you already have, which simply means that you're putting more money in there, but the growth of that money is still going to be taxed to you as ordinary income or when you withdraw it, all he or she had to say to you is, why don't you just open up a Roth ira, put the money in there, obviously with after tax dollars, let it grow and it will all be tax free. But no, they didn't take the time to say that. But here's what you need to understand now. With a straight Roth ira, you can take out any time you want, regardless of how long the account has been open or your age, your original contributions that you put in. So if you put in $7,000 a year ago, 7,000 this year, whatever it may be, you could take out the $14,000. No taxes, penalties, doesn't matter. It's the growth on that money that you cannot touch until you're 59 and a half and the account's been open for at least five years. At that point, then everything in there is tax free. You would think that that's how an IRA works, that you put in after tax dollars, but it is not. It is very, very different. So whenever you make a non deductible an after tax contribution to a traditional ira, you establish what the IRS calls a basis in that ira, the amount in which you already paid taxes on. So first of all, do you know the amount that you have put in to that ira? And that is your basis. All future distributions, listen to me closely now, from that Iraq are then treated under the pro rata rule. So you cannot simply pull out only your after tax contributions. Girlfriend. So here's what you have to have done, hopefully. Did you File A Form 8606 Every single year you needed to do so because it's right there that it keeps track of how much in a non deductible contribution you made. So that's important because now you have choices ready. Why don't you just do a total conversion to a Roth IRA with everything that's in there. If there isn't that much money, you then get the after tax contribution that goes into a Roth. You then only owe taxes on the earnings and the part that was taxable in the ira. But then everything is in a Roth IRA done, just that simple. Now you may have too much money in there to do so and it might affect your tax bracket. But if I were you, I would look at converting it to a Roth because it's such a mistake to leave after tax money growing taxable within your ira. It is such a waste. So can you just see a CPA and get that to happen for yourself? All right, kt, that was a wrap. Susie, that's a little bit of an early wrap because we are packing up to get on the plane to go back home. Do you think Cola remembers what we look like?
KT
No, not at all. But he's very excited. He's excited. He misses us. Even if his wife was with him, he so misses us.
Suze Orman
Are you sure?
KT
Yes. I know.
Suze Orman
We'll find out shortly. So until Sunday when we are back with Susie's school, there's only one thing that we want you to remember when it comes to your money. What is it, kt?
KT
Use lots of sunscreen. Stay safe now.
Suze Orman
Actually, kt, have you been reading the reports on sunscreen?
KT
No.
Suze Orman
Horrible.
KT
Oh, don't use lots of sunscreen.
Suze Orman
Yeah, you need to just wear a.
KT
Hat and stay out of the sun.
Suze Orman
Yeah, like we do. But anyway, just remember, people first and money, then things. Now you stay safe. Bye. Bye.
Unknown
We are strong, we are wise we will not apologize we are here we will thrive Together we will rise we're up in our face and everything it takes we are strong, we are wise Together we will ris.
Suze Orman
Hi, everybody. Suzie O here. Now, if you are looking for a way to start saving to get the most out of your money, I want you to go to myalliant.com, that's M Y A L L I A N T DOT and look into opening an ultimate Opportunity savings account. Put in at least $100 a month, every single month for 12 consecutive months. Earn 3.10% interest on your money right now. And get $100 at the end. Are you kidding me? It's the best deal out there. Start saving right now.
Unknown
Neither Susie Orman Media nor Susie Orman is acting as a certified financial planner and advisor, a certified financial analyst, an economist, cpa, accountant or lawyer. Neither Suze Orman Media nor Suze Orman make any recommendations as to any specific securities or investments. All content contained in this podcast is for informational and general purposes only and does not constitute financial, accounting or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, legal and financial advisors regarding your particular situation. Neither Suze Orman Media nor Suze Orman accepts any responsibility for any losses which may arise from accessing or reliance on information in this podcast and to the fullest extent permitted by law, we exclude all liability for loss damages, direct or indirect, arising from the use of this information. The must have documents discussed in this podcast are legal documents created by a lawyer and distributed by Hay House.
Release Date: May 15, 2025
Host: Suze Orman Media
Episode Title: Ask KT & Suze Anything: Should I Stop Paying Into My IRA to Get Out of Debt?
In this insightful episode of Women & Money, renowned personal finance expert Suze Orman teams up with her co-host KT to address pressing financial questions from listeners. This episode, titled "Ask KT & Suze Anything: Should I Stop Paying Into My IRA to Get Out of Debt?", delves into the complexities of managing retirement accounts amidst personal financial challenges. Suze and KT offer expert advice on topics ranging from handling inherited 401(k)s to optimizing IRA contributions, ensuring listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of navigating their financial landscapes.
Listener: Whitney
Whitney shares her experience of divorcing a highly intelligent and successful scientist who excelled in complex mathematical computations but struggled with basic financial management, specifically balancing income and expenses. Suze and KT discuss how intellectual prowess doesn't always equate to practical money management skills.
Notable Quote:
“Money is all about emotions and that's what we learned on last Sunday.” – Suze Orman [04:19]
Key Insights:
Listener: Anonymous Sister
A 62-year-old woman inquires about the best way to distribute her deceased sister’s 401(k) worth $281,000 among herself and her siblings. The funds are to be transferred into an inherited 401(k).
Suze Orman's Advice:
Notable Quote:
“You are an eligible designated beneficiary and you can absolutely take it out over your life expectancies.” – Suze Orman [07:02]
Key Insights:
Listener: Jillian
Jillian, a 52-year-old federal worker stationed overseas, asks whether she should stop contributing to her Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) and use her emergency funds to pay down significant debt.
Suze Orman's Advice:
Notable Quote:
“Your TSP, your IRA, your 401K, your 403B, are all protected against bankruptcy.” – Suze Orman [13:00]
Key Insights:
Listener: Loopy
Lupi, nearing retirement age, contemplates converting a portion of her traditional IRA to a Roth IRA to stay within a 12% tax bracket amidst market fluctuations.
Suze Orman's Advice:
Notable Quote:
“Everything is in a Roth IRA done, just that simple.” – Suze Orman [20:11]
Key Insights:
Listener: Carol
Carol, age 52, expresses confusion over making after-tax contributions to her traditional IRA without receiving tax deductions. She seeks guidance on withdrawing these contributions and converting to a Roth IRA.
Suze Orman's Advice:
Notable Quote:
“Whenever you make a non deductible an after tax contribution to a traditional ira, you establish what the IRS calls a basis in that ira.” – Suze Orman [20:11]
Key Insights:
Protect Your Retirement Funds: Even when facing significant debt, maintaining contributions to retirement accounts like TSPs, IRAs, and 401(k)s is crucial for long-term financial security and bankruptcy protection.
Optimize Inherited Accounts: Transferring inherited 401(k) funds to individual IRAs allows beneficiaries to manage withdrawals more effectively, offering tax advantages and financial flexibility.
Strategic IRA Management: Understanding the differences between traditional and Roth IRAs, especially regarding after-tax contributions and conversion benefits, can significantly impact tax liabilities and retirement growth.
Balanced Financial Planning: Emotional intelligence plays a vital role in financial management, highlighting the need for both partners in a relationship to align their financial strategies and understand each other's approaches to money.
Consistent Investment Strategies: Adhering to disciplined investment practices, such as dollar-cost averaging, can mitigate the effects of market volatility and enhance portfolio growth over time.
Suze Orman and KT provide comprehensive guidance, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding retirement savings, making informed decisions about inherited assets, and maintaining disciplined financial practices even in the face of personal debt. Their expert advice empowers listeners to navigate complex financial situations with confidence and clarity.
Final Thoughts:
“People first and money, then things.” – Suze Orman [25:19]
Listeners are encouraged to prioritize their financial security by making informed decisions, protecting their retirement funds, and seeking professional advice when needed. As always, Suze and KT remind the audience to stay safe and proactive in managing their finances.
Note: This summary is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Consult with a professional financial advisor for personalized guidance.