terran - I didn't search those forums. Some people interested in the Roth ladder might not review the tax forum that often, so maybe the discussion will differ here.
jeffnhl - Hm, pay wall is good point. Here's Google's cached link of the "one page summary" of the RISE act proposed by Senator Wyden:
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:SFIltvSXq7gJ:www.finance.senate.gov/ranking-members-news/wyden-proposal-would-crack-down-on-tax-avoidance-in-retirement-plans-create-new-opportunities-for-working-americans-to-save&num=1&hl=en&gl=us&strip=1&vwsrc=0To quote the highlight:
In addition to cracking down on “mega Roth IRAs,” the draft proposal would:
* Allow employers to make “matching” contributions to a 401(k) retirement plan while their employees make student loan repayments. Under this proposal, recent graduates who cannot afford to save money above their student loan repayments would no longer have to forego the employer match.
* Make the “Saver’s Credit” refundable so that it is available to Americans with no income tax liability, simplify its structure, require that the credit amount be contributed directly to a tax-favored retirement plan and increase its income cap.
* Eliminate Roth conversions for both IRAs and employer-sponsored plans to prevent tax gaming and close the “back door” around income limits.
* Eliminate “stretch IRAs” to prevent taxpayer-subsidized retirement accounts from being used as estate planning tax loopholes.
* Gradually increase the age at which retirement plan participants are required to begin taking distributions from their accounts. The “required minimum distribution” age of 70.5 years has remained unchanged since the early 1960s. In addition, the draft provides that participants who reach the required age with balances in their retirement plans of less than $150,000 will not be required to begin taking distributions.
Note the "eliminate Roth conversions" clause covers all conversions. So the RISE act aims at million dollar Roth accounts, but it's wording targets all Roth conversions.