Independent Retirement Account - Defined, What Are The Options?

By Rocco Beatrice

There are typically two types of beneficiaries for an Independent Retirement Account (IRA). A beneficiary can be either a spouse or non-spouse, and each group has different options and benefits to receiving money from an inherited IRA.

INHERIT INDEPENDENT RETIREMENT ACCOUNT FROM SPOUSE

If you inherit an IRA from a spouse, you have the option of taking the IRA as your own and also making further contributions to the account. If you choose to take the IRA as your own, you may choose beneficiaries and extend the tax-deferred benefits of the account. Another option available from inheriting an IRA from a spouse is the opportunity to begin receiving distributions from the account. Distributions must begin on the later date of when the original owner would have turned age 70 ½ or by December 31rst of the year following the date when the owner died.

If you feel financially secure, you may choose to disclaim the inherited assets and pass on the IRA to the next designated beneficiary. Disclaiming an IRA or any assets in general is irrevocable. Prior to making this decision you should consult with a financial advisor such as Estate Street Partners who will be able to describe the tax advantages and disadvantages of this choice.

INHERIT INDEPENDENT RETIREMENT ACCOUNT FROM NON-SPOUSE

If you inherit an IRA from a non-spouse, such as a parent, relative, or other individual, your options are much more limited. A non-spouse beneficiary of an IRA can transfer the assets into an Inherited IRA Beneficiary Distribution Account or disclaim all or part of the inherited IRA.

If you transfer the inherited IRA into a Distribution Account, you can begin receiving distributions according to the one year or five year rule. If you choose to receive distributions under the one year rule, you must begin receiving distribution payments by December 31rst in the year following the year when the IRA owner died. Distribution amounts are determined by the age of the beneficiary.

Under the five year rule the beneficiary must receive the full interest of the IRA by the end of the fifth year following the year when the IRA owner died. If you choose to disclaim all or part of the inherited IRA you have only nine months following the death of the IRA owner to make this decision. It is an irrevocable decision and the disclaimed assets will pass to the next eligible beneficiary. Unlike a spouse - spouse transfer of an IRA, if you are a non-spouse beneficiary of an IRA you cannot make additional contributions to the account.

IF MORE THAN ONE QUALIFIED BENEFICIARY TO THE IRA IS DESIGNATED

If there is more than one qualified beneficiary (an actual person), the rules for distribution get more complicated. Designated beneficiaries must be determined by September 30th of the year following the year when the IRA owner died, and multiple beneficiaries have until this date to create separate Distribution accounts for their shares of the IRA.

If the beneficiaries create separate accounts then the distribution amounts will be determined individually and based on each beneficiary's life expectancy. If the beneficiaries do not create separate account by September 30th of the year following the IRA owner's death, the distribution amount from the inherited IRA will be determined by the life expectancy of the oldest beneficiary. This creates a disadvantage for the younger beneficiary since the distribution amount will be higher, and therefore the tax required on the distribution will also be higher.

If the IRA owner named a qualified and non-qualified beneficiary (not an actual person), there are a couple of options available for both parties. Typically, if the owner died before their required distribution date (age 70 ½) the balance of the IRA must be distributed within five years of his/her death. If the owner died after they started receiving distributions (age 70 ½) the balance of the IRA will be distributed according to the age of the beneficiary.

NON-QUALIFIED BENEFICIARY NAME IN THE DISTRIBUTION

If a non-qualified beneficiary is named the distribution rules can get complicated. For example, if a church is named as a beneficiary along with a surviving son, both beneficiaries must receive distributions according to the five year rule. However, if the church elects to receive its share of the IRA prior to September 30th of the year following the owner's death, the son can be determined the designated beneficiary and use his life expectancy to determine future distributions.

If no beneficiary is named than the IRA will most likely pass to the estate of the deceased. In this situation the IRA loses its tax deferred benefits, is subject to taxation on all interest accrued to that point, and is open to collection from creditors. To avoid creating a tax headache for your beneficiaries it is important to consult with a financial advisor such as Estate Street Partners to designate specific beneficiaries for your IRA to prevent the savings from being lost to your estate.