What to do with an inherited IRA

An inherited IRA is an individual retirement account (IRA) you open when you’re the beneficiary of a deceased person’s retirement plan. Most types of IRAs or workplace retirement plans can be transferred to an inherited IRA, including traditional, Roth, SIMPLE, and SEP IRAs, as well as 401(k) plans.

Being the beneficiary of someone’s retirement account is an honor, as they’re trusting you with some of their life savings. But inheriting an IRA also comes with responsibilities. Depending on the capacity in which you’re receiving the inheritance, there are different options available to you and requirements to consider. If you’re the spouse of the original account owner or other Eligible Designated Beneficiary, you have additional options.

Options for an inherited IRA

When you receive access to the original owner’s account, you have a few options. These options can be affected by the type of account you’re inheriting and the age of the original account holder. Speak with a tax or financial professional to determine the right path forward for your situation. 

Transfer funds to a new inherited IRA

Action: Open your own inherited IRA. 

• IRA balance continues tax-deferred growth.
• Option to make withdrawals immediately and any time without penalty.

Considerations:

• Tax implications will depend on the type of account you’ve inherited.
• IRA balance must be emptied within 10 years; this distribution period begins the year after the original account owner’s death and a distribution is currently not required each year.
• You cannot make additional contributions or roll into other retirement accounts you hold as participant.

Take the cash

Action: Take the inheritance in a lump-sum withdrawal for access to the funds immediately. 

Considerations:

• You miss out on potential tax-deferred growth on the account balance.
• You could pay income taxes on the taxable portion of the distribution.
• You may move into a higher tax bracket, depending on the account balance.

Turn it down

Action: Choose not to accept the inheritance. 

Considerations:

• You may feel the next eligible beneficiary would benefit from it more.
• Action needs to be taken within nine months of original account owner’s death.
• This option is complicated and should be discussed with an attorney prior to selection.

Roll into existing or new IRA (spouse only)

Action: Transfer the inherited assets into an existing IRA account.

Considerations:

• The required distribution rules and withdrawal penalties for IRAs are the same as if you had always owned the assets.
• Rolling the assets into your own IRA works best if you’re past age 59 1/2 as a 10% tax penalty may apply for withdrawals taken before age 59 1/2. 
• Required minimum distributions (RMDs) begin at age 73, or if you’re already 73, RMDs continue based on your life expectancy.
• If the original account owner was subject to RMDs and did not distribute the full amount prior to death, the undistributed amount must be removed when transferred.

Inherited IRA RMDs for non-spouse Eligible Designated Beneficiaries

Non-spouse designated beneficiaries must roll the assets over to an inherited IRA and most must withdraw all the money within 10 years, as noted above. There are some exceptions to the 10-year rule for non-spouse Eligible Designated Beneficiaries (EDBs):

• A minor child (not grandchild) of the original account owner: You must start distributions, but they'll be figured based on your life expectancy. That rule applies only until you reach the "age of majority" at age 21. At that point, you have 10 years to withdraw the entire account.
• Chronically ill or disabled: Withdrawals can be stretched over your lifetime.
• Not more than 10 years younger than the original account owner: Withdrawals can be stretched over your lifetime.

Opening an inherited IRA

If you decide to transfer the funds and open an inherited IRA, make sure you have:

• A death certificate
• Inherited IRA account application
• Relevant paperwork verifying your beneficiary designation
• The title of the account which should include both your name as beneficiary and the deceased’s name as the original account holder

Be sure to consult a financial professional to use an inherited IRA in way that works best for your situation.

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