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March 7, 2009

IRA Beneficiary Options Quick Reference

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Traditional IRA Beneficiary Options Quick Reference for IRA owners who died before 2020

HIGH LEVEL SUMMARY
Beneficiary
IRA owner Dies Before the RBD
IRA owner Dies on or After the RBD
Spouse as sole primary beneficiary
  • Treat as own
  • Life-expectancy Payments (Recalculation) –beginning the  later of (a) December 31 of the year following year of death or (b) December 31 of IRA holder’s 70½ year  or
  • Five Year Option
  • Treat as own , or
  • Life expectancy Payments  taken over the Longer of (a) recalculated life expectancy of spouse or (b)  nonrecalculated remaining life expectancy of decedent
Non-spouse beneficiary
  • Life-expectancy Payments(Non-Recalculation): or
  • The Five Year Option:
  • Life expectancy Payments  taken over the Longer of (a) nonrecalculated life expectancy of beneficiary or (b)  nonrecalculated remaining life expectancy of decedent
Non-person
  • The Five Year Option
  • Life expectancy Payments over the remaining life expectancy of the decedent – nonrecalculated
Qualified trust
  • Life-expectancy Payments:
  • The Five Year Option
  • Life-expectancy Payments:
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