In recent years, vast numbers of people have become eligible to consider Roth conversions. They include high-income people who were not eligible for Roth conversions prior to 2010 and millions of people who have become eligible to convert money to employer-sponsored Roth 401(k) accounts since they became available in 2006.

At least once every two years, financial advisors should have a “conversion conversation” with clients, to review and evaluate conversion options:

• From Traditional IRAs and SEP-IRAs to Roth IRAs

• From SIMPLEs to Roth IRAs, after two years of plan participation

• From employer-sponsored plans to Roth accounts offered within these plans

The conversation need not be complex or lengthy, because there are just four key points that usually prevail in conversion decisions. Here's the conversation, in a nutshell:

“Mr. and Mrs. Client, if you would like to consider converting part or all of your plan money to a Roth, there are four key issues you should evaluate.