I have heard people advised to use Roth Conversion IRAs, which involve paying taxes now rather than later.

This is a fool's choice, because of the upcoming IRS revolution. We will probably not be paying income taxes by 2010. You might want to allow your IRA to lay as it sits, and cash it out without paying taxes either now or then instead of now only.

Also, your retirement is going to be rocky fiscally, because of the gross economic disruptions pending this year and next. Putting away money elsewhere and hoping it grows to beat inflation and economic loss is a far second place to gold in a safe and a rifle, pistol and dry goods. You'll need those. You won't need so much cash, nor be able to use it as well.