IRMAA, Social Security, QLACs, Roth Conversions: Q&A #2550
The Retirement and IRA Show
Jim Saulnier, CFP® & Chris Stein, CFP®
4.3 • 729 Ratings
🗓️ 13 December 2025
⏱️ 92 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Jim and Chris discuss listener emails starting with PSAs about IRMAA and Social Security spousal benefit applications, then questions on IRMAA, QLAC-related RMD rules, and a Roth conversion involving a fixed indexed annuity (FIA).
(9:30) Georgette shares a PSA explaining that she successfully filed Form SSA-44 preemptively—before receiving an IRMAA determination letter.
(21:15) A listener offers a PSA describing issues with an online Social Security spousal benefit application that was denied after being submitted separately from the working spouse’s application.
(29:45) The guys discuss how the Social Security Administration determines IRMAA when a tax return is delayed due to combat-zone service and whether a significant drop in income qualifies for Form SSA-44 relief.
(38:45) Jim and Chris address whether overestimating income on Form SSA-44 results in a refund, how survivor benefits are affected if claimed early, and whether post-retirement employer coverage is treated as active employee benefits for Medicare Part B and IRMAA purposes.
(50:45) George asks whether payments in excess of the RMD from a QLAC can be applied toward RMDs for other IRAs, or only toward the non-annuitized portion of the same IRA.
(1:00:20) A listener asks how the pro rata rule applies to a Roth conversion when assets include a fixed indexed annuity (FIA) with a guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefit.
The post IRMAA, Social Security, QLACs, Roth Conversions: Q&A #2550 appeared first on The Retirement and IRA Show.
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | The Retirement and IRA show represents the words and views of the show hosts exclusively and should not be construed as investment, legal, or tax advice. |
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| 0:23.6 | Never make any investment or financial decisions based on information offered on this show |
| 0:26.7 | without first consulting your financial legal or tax advisor. |
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| 0:40.3 | This is the retirement and IRA show coming to you from beautiful northern Colorado. |
| 0:45.7 | Join us as certified financial planner Jim Sonier, as well as Colorado State University |
| 0:50.7 | Finance instructor and certified financial planner Chris Stein teach you about IRAs, 401ks, |
| 0:57.2 | annuities, social security, pension plans, and estate planning in a fun and enjoyable show. |
| 1:03.3 | Whether you are listening live in Colorado or streaming from their website or iTunes podcast, |
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| 1:12.0 | your retirement. Just visit their website at Jimhelps.com. That's Jim H-E-L-P-S.com and click |
| 1:20.3 | the Meet the Team button on the homepage. Now here's Jim and Chris with today's show. |
| 1:27.9 | Well, hello everybody and welcome to the Retirement and IRA show Q&A edition for this week. |
| 1:34.1 | So we've got a whole bag of questions on tap here. |
| 1:39.6 | Jim will be bringing those, we'll be bringing those to us shortly. |
| 1:45.2 | I want to remind everybody that coming up on our New Year's, not New Year's, |
| 1:52.7 | our Christmas Eve show, not that we're going to be recording it on Christmas Eve, |
| 1:57.0 | but Wednesday is Christmas Eve, December 24th. |
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