Whats better to hold, Roth dollars or Tax-deferred dollars ?
It would be best to post your information in this suggested format and ask which is best for you since there is no one general answer.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=6212
A few points to consider;
1) When I was going through my 50's I saw more people than I would have expected run into career, health, or life setbacks which caused the to have less retirement money than they were planning on.
2) If things are going well in your 50's then many people(including myself) decide to retire a bit early and in a lower tax bracket. While there are some new retirement expenses having a paid off house, kids that on their own, college costs done with, and no more retirement savings can reduce your income needs.
3) The way Social Security is taxed complicates it but before Social Security starts a couple can have over $100K in taxable income and still be in the 12% federal tax bracket.
4) An over 65 couple can have $25K in taxable income and $35K in Social Security and pay almost no Federal income tax. Along with a paid off house that is enough to pay for an above average middle class retirement unless you live in a real expensive area.
5) The consequences of choosing incorrectly are not symmetrical. If you choose a deductible IRA and you end up wealthy in retirement and in a high tax bracket then you might have to pay more taxes and take a shorter cruise than if you had used a Roth. If you choose a Roth but end up short of money in retirement and in a low or zero tax bracket then having put more into a deductible IRA could have allowed you to have more money in retirement to cover your basic needs.
Unless you are below the 12% federal tax bracket choosing a deductible IRA or 401k instead of a Roth is an easy choice for most people. The exceptions would be things like;
1) You are in some special situation like you are pretty sure about getting a large inheritance, or you are in medical school and have relatively low income before your income gets very high.
2) You are within a few years of retirement and your retirement tax situation is pretty clear.
3) You are in a state with no income taxes and you are likely to retire in a state with higher income taxes.