@tftoolan
Since you Aunt passed on 2022, you have 10 years to liquidate and 2023 is Year 1.
As noted, because of the confusion on how this works, the IRS will waive any penalties for not taking the RMD in 2023, so you are 'good' if you don't take RMD in 2023
the calculation of the RMD is based on your age on your birthday in 2023, and I will assume that has occured already.
for 2023, your RMD is the 12/31/22 balance divided by 28.9 (look at the table in this link and the number next to 58 years old). If you don't take this RMD, there is no penalty.
For 2024, your RMD is the 12/31/23 balance divided by 27.9 (don't use the table, just subtract 1 from the 2023 divisor).
in 2025, the divisor is 26.9, etc.
So seems like your strategy is to only take RMD during your high income years. That makes sense. Suggest determining what tax bracket you have the appetite for once retired and withdraw as much as it takes to get to the top of that tax bracket, so that you have liquidated by the end of 2032.
A few warnings that may impact your approach:
1) the tax cut from 2017 only lasts 8 years, so unless Congress does something, the tax brackets will automatically increase in 2026. (they will move back to the 2017 tax brackets, adjusted for 8 years of inflation).
2) once you are on Mediciare, there is something called "IRMAA" which is a steath tax that increases your Medicare premiums if your income is elevated. If your income (after you retire but including the the IRA withdrawals) exceeds ~$105,000 (SINGLE) or ~$210,000 (JOINT), please read this link - very informative and explains how it works.
https://thefinancebuff.com/medicare-irmaa-income-brackets.html
good luck!
https://www.irs.gov/publications/p590b#en_US_2022_publink100089977
