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Level 2
June 26, 2024
Question

inherited IRA

  • June 26, 2024
  • 1 reply
  • 89 views

My dad had a traditional IRA with an investment firm.  After he passed, the firm created an IRA in my name as a vehicle to process this account.  I am being told that their is an IRS stipulation that says I have 10 years to liquidate (the 10 year rule).  I am looking for clarification on this.  Also, I was hoping to roll this into my own personal IRA but was told I cannot, because of the 10 year rule.  Is there any way around this?  I don't understand these limitations imposed on inherited monies. 

1 reply

Andrew_W
Level 6
Level 6
June 26, 2024

Based on the information you provided, it sounds like you are considered a Designated Beneficiary by the IRS. Generally, designated beneficiaries must follow the 10-year rule:

From the IRS:

10-year rule: If a beneficiary is subject to the 10-year rule,

  • Empty the entire account by the end of the 10th year following the year of the account owner's (or eligible designated beneficiary's) death
  • Relief under Notice 2022-53 for beneficiaries subject to the 10-year rule
    • The IRS will not treat a beneficiary of an inherited account in a plan or IRA who was subject to the 10-year rule and who failed to take an RMD for 2021 and 2022 as having failed to take the correct RMD

The IRS has a breakdown of the treatment of inherited IRAs here: Retirement topics - Beneficiary

 

The reason for these limitations is that traditional IRAs/retirement accounts are funded with pre-tax funds, or said in another way, funds that have never been taxed. Unfortunately, there is no way around this requirement.

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LRUAuthor
Level 2
June 26, 2024

How is "designated beneficiary" defined?  Myself and two siblings were the three listed beneficiaries.

Andrew_W
Level 6
Level 6
June 27, 2024

Designated beneficiaries are those who are not "eligible designated beneficiaries".

 

Eligible Designated Beneficiaries are:

  • Spouse or minor child of the deceased account holder
  • Disabled or chronically ill individual
  • Individual who is not more than 10 years younger than the IRA owner or plan participant

 

This is per IRS regulations: Retirement topics - Beneficiary 

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