Flight #115: Roth Catch-Ups and the Secure Act 2.0

What do the new Secure Act 2.0 rules mean for Roth contributions and retirement planning in 2025? In this episode, we explore what pilots and high-income earners need to know about Roth catch-up contributions, required Roth designations, and the risks of in-plan Roth conversions.

You’ll also learn how these changes may impact your taxes, your long-term retirement savings, and the best ways to prepare now. Whether you’re nearing retirement or fine-tuning your long-term plan, this episode will help you navigate Roth strategies with clarity and confidence.

What You’ll Learn In Today’s Episode:

How Roth catch-up contributions work in 2025.
Super catch-up rules for ages 60–63.
Tax impacts of Roth-only catch-ups for high earners.
When to consider in-plan Roth conversions.
The risks of converting too quickly inside a 401(k).
Why healthcare costs make RHAs valuable.
Options for Roth contributions beyond the 401(k).
How to plan Roth contributions for the next 12 months.

Ideas Worth Sharing:

“If you are 50 or older, and you make more than $145K in income, which most of our pilots do, pretty early on, then your catch-up contribution must be Roth.” – Charlie Mattingly
“You will have the option to designate what’s catch-up and what’s not. We recommend doing catch-up because the airline cannot do that for you.” – Charlie Mattingly
“There are different ways to get money into a Roth now in the 401(k). You can also do a Roth in the IRA. You can do both of those. If you make too much money, you have to go the backdoor route. The key is just to figure out how much money you want to get into a Roth during the next 12 months, once we get to January, and make your plan that way.” – Kevin Gormely

Financial Planning

Investment Management

Retirement Income Planning

College Planning

Proactive Tax Planning

Estate Planning

Fees and Expenses

Pilot Wealth Index

Client Portal

Book A Client Meeting

Tax Planning