clydewolf

TAD,

It is good that you are maximizing your contributions to the Thrift plan.

Contributing to a non-deductable TIRA is a good idea. You will have tax deferred growth (hopefully) from your investments. When you contribute to the non-dectable IRA, be sure to complete form 8606.

And yes, after 2009 you can do a conversion of your Traditional IRA money into a ROTH IRA. You will need to pay income only on the amount that exceeds your contribution.

A word of caution. If you have any deductable IRAs, the value of those IRAs are pro-rated with your non-deductable IRAs when you make your conversion to the ROTH. Your conversion will part after tax and pre-tax money. The deductable IRA will increse the amount of pre-tax money you are converting.