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If you’ve invested in an IRA for many decades, it may well turn
into a key source of income for your retirement. Still, you might not deplete
your IRA in your lifetime, especially if you also have a pension or a 401(k)
and other investment income. So, if your IRA still has sizable assets after
your passing, it would likely end up in your estate plan. If you leave your IRA
to grown children or other family members, could they be hit with a big tax
bill?
Here’s a little background: Up until the Secure Act of 2019, those
who inherited traditional IRAs could extend their required withdrawals over
their lifetimes, which stretched out the annual taxes due on these withdrawals.
But the Secure Act changed the provisions for non-spouse beneficiaries who
inherited an IRA after 2019, meaning that beneficiaries of inherited IRAs had
only 10 years (beginning the year after death) to withdraw the entire balance.
For some beneficiaries, this could potentially create a tax burden. (Inheritors
of Roth IRAs are also required to follow the 10-year distribution rule but are
not subject to income taxes on account earnings if the Roth IRA’s five-year
holding period has been met).
However, not all beneficiaries were affected by the new rules.
Spouses can stretch their inherited IRA distributions over their lifetimes and exceptions
exist for certain non-spouse beneficiaries. Minor children of the IRA owner
(until the age of majority), chronically ill or disabled individuals, and
beneficiaries who are no more than 10 years younger than the IRA owner may opt to
stretch their distributions.
The new 10-year requirement applies to IRAs inherited on or after
Jan. 1, 2020. But
due to confusion over changes to required minimum distribution (RMD) rules for some
beneficiaries of inherited IRAs, the IRS waived penalties for individuals who
failed to take RMDs in 2021 and 2022 and extended the RMD penalty waiver for
2023.
Although these rulings give beneficiaries — those not eligible for
the exemptions listed above — more time to plan, they will eventually need to
start taking RMDs, which could affect their tax situations. To help protect
your heirs, consider these suggestions:
• Using permanent life insurance. A properly structured
permanent life insurance policy could help you replace the assets your family
might lose to the taxes resulting from an inherited IRA. You might even
consider naming a charity as the beneficiary of an IRA, rather than your family
members. The charity would receive the IRA proceeds tax free, and the life
insurance could then provide tax-free benefits to your heirs.
• Leaving taxable investment accounts to your heirs. Apart
from your tax-deferred IRA, you may own other, fully taxable accounts
containing investments such as stocks or bonds. Typically, these investments receive
what’s known as a “step-up” in their cost basis once they are inherited. This
means your heirs will essentially inherit all the gains your investments earned
by the time of your passing — but they won’t be taxed on these gains if they
sell the assets immediately. This type of sale could help offset the taxes your
heirs will incur from the inherited IRA.
The tax and investment issues surrounding inherited IRAs can be
complex, so consult with your tax and financial advisors before making any
moves. And, as with many areas relating to inheritances, the sooner you start
planning, the better.
Chad Choate III, AAMS
828 3rd Avenue West
Bradenton, FL 34205
941-462-2445
This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward
Jones Financial Advisor.
Edward Jones, Member SIPC
When an older adult needs help at home and sees several clinicians, a coverage decision can affect everything from prescription refills to rides. If youre considering TRU PACE in Lafayette, start by asking how enrollment would change the care and coverage you already use. How Medicare and Medicaid Fit Into PACEPACE is the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. It coordinates healthcare and support for eligible adults who meet a state standard for nursing home-level care and can live safely in the community with PACE support at enrollment. Applicants must also be 55 or older and live in the programs service area. TRU PACE and Your Current CoveragePhone: 303-665-0115Medicare says people with Medicaid pay no monthly PACE premium. Medicare beneficiaries without Medicaid pay premiums for the long-term care portion and Medicare Part D drugs. Medicare also says participants owe no deductible, copayment, or coinsurance for drugs, services, or care approved by their PACE team. Ask TRU PACE for an estimate based on your individual coverage before enrolling. Doctors, Prescriptions, and Existing ServicesTRU PACE says it becomes the participants insurance provider at enrollment. Participants generally receive care through the programs provider network. Bring a list of your doctors, medications, and scheduled services. Ask which providers are in the network and how the team would coordinate any changes. Why This Matters in LafayetteIf you regularly see a clinician near home or have a specialist visit scheduled outside Lafayette, give the enrollment team the names and dates. Ask which appointments can continue and what to do about any refill due around the enrollment date. How to Get Started1. Gather Your Coverage InformationHave your Medicare and Medicaid information, if applicable, along with details of any current plan. List the appointments and prescriptions you rely on most.2. Ask for an Enrollment and Cost ReviewCall TRU PACE and ask for your expected monthly cost, when any coverage change would take effect, and who would help coordinate the transition. Related Seniors Blue Book CategoriesPACE Adult Day Services Care Management
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