Anyone, and I mean ANYONE, who holds these plans and can draw them down without serious tax consequences should do so forthwith. It may even be the case for some folks that they should begin drawing down without regard to the immediate tax consequences.
Further, for those nearing 59 1/2 (the magic age for penalty-free,but not [necessarily] tax-free, withdrawals), I should strongly recommend converting a healthy chunk of dollar-based assets to assets based in currencies that are heavily supported by hardish assets, Norwegian kroner being perhaps the prime example just now.
Trust government not to mess with retirement plans, for the next 3 years at minimum, and you are a HEAVY favourite to live out your life far poorer than you would be.
I am taking the opposite approach. I am contributing as much as I can to Roth accounts before tax rates likely go up next year.
Interesting perspective. If no “official” retirement planning mechanism is safe here in the U.S., then the whole issue of 401(k) vs. traditional IRA vs. Roth IRA is a moot discussion.