BTDRetire: You're doing it just as I plan to do it. Use the ~10 years between 59-1/2 to 70 to convert ALL T-IRA, and non-Roth 401K retirement funds to Roth. Do it in large enough increments that you convert them ALL before you're required to pay RMD's (Required Minimum Distributions). And in small enough increments to keep yourself in the lower tax bracket. And of course this keeps you and your heirs from having to deal with RMD's - well done.
Based in part on the 'take SS at 70' strategy, I assume you've read Lawrence Kotlikoff's books 'Get What's Yours' on SS and Medicare - if not, do so, they're great. Take SS at 70 is also part of my plan.
I'm 1.5 years from starting the Traditional-to-Roth conversions, and have not touched my savings to-date. I'm living off REI income (real estate investments) in the interim. If I didn't have this income to live on, I would be drawing down my cash, money market, and taxable brokerage accounts down first.
Interesting thought... there has long been an
"Investment Order" sticky post on the Investor Alley forum. It gets regular feedback and updates based on changes in law, thinking, etc.
Perhaps this calls for a new sticky topic
"Post-FIRE Draw Down Order" which would include the what-do-do, and the why-to-do-it for tax avoidance, and inheritance strategies such as these.
I'll ponder this, do LOTS of additional research in my post-FIRE 'spare time' ;-), post a reasonable straw-man for review, call for feedback / face-punches / etc, and post something useful based on the feedback.
Thanks for sparking the idea! MFB