IRA Beneficiary Options for Deaths Before January 1, 2020
The distribution options available to IRA beneficiaries depend first on whether the IRA owner died before, or on or after January 1, 2020.
If before January 1, 2020, the distribution options then depend on whether the IRA owner died before, or on or after the required minimum distribution (RMD) beginning date (RBD), as shown above. Note that Roth IRA owners do not have an RBD so the distribution options for Roth IRA beneficiaries are the same as the “before” options.
Plan agreement language may modify the distribution options available to beneficiaries. Also, according to IRS comments to Ascensus, if beneficiary accounts are separately accounted timely, spouse beneficiaries who are one of multiple designated beneficiaries may transfer their portions of the decedent’s IRA assets from the deceased spouse’s IRA.
