By Ian Berger, JD
IRA Analyst
Follow Us on X: @theslottreport
Question:
I’m age 76. My brother died in December 2022 at 84. Do I take required minimum distributions (RMDs) for the inherited account based on my age or on my brother’s age at death?
Answer:
Since you’re an “eligible designated beneficiary” (not more than 10 years younger than your brother), you can stretch RMDs over your lifetime. Your first RMD, due 12/31/2023, is based on the age you will turn in 2023. Your corresponding life expectancy for the 2023 RMD is found in the IRS Single Life Expectancy Table. You subtract one from that life expectancy for the 2024 RMD and continue to subtract one for each succeeding year. Divide the applicable factor into the prior year-end account balance. So, if you turn 76 this year, you’ll use 14.1 for the 2023 RMD and divide that into the 12/31/2022 balance, 13.1 for the 2024 RMD, and so forth.
Question:
Does a Roth IRA nonspouse (grandson) beneficiary have to take yearly RMDs or he can take the entire distribution in the tenth year? Thank you for your help with this!
Asha
Answer:
Hi Asha,
A grandson is a “non-eligible designated beneficiary” and must always empty the inherited account by the end of the tenth year following the year of death. However, if the inherited account is a Roth IRA, annual RMDs during years 1-9 of the 10-year period are never required – no matter how old the Roth IRA owner was at death. A Roth beneficiary has total flexibility as to how much or how little he takes each year. He only has to draw down the entire account by the end of the 10-year period.
https://www.irahelp.com/slottreport/inherited-ira-and-roth-ira-rmd-rules-today%E2%80%99s-slott-report-mailbag