Definition
A rule under which beneficiaries with inherited retirement accounts (inherited IRAs and employer sponsored retirement plans), must take their required minimum distributions over the applicable life-expectancy.
The life-expectancy can be that of the beneficiary or the deceased retirement account owner.
Referring Cite
IRC. §401(a)(9)
Additional Helpful Information
- If the retirement account owner dies before the required beginning date (RBD), distributions can be taken under the five-year rule, or the life expectancy rule. If the life-expectancy rule applies, the life expectancy of the beneficiary is used. The life- expectancy option is not available to a non-person beneficiary.
- If the retirement account owner dies on/after the RBD, distributions can be taken under the life-expectancy rule. The life expectancy used would be the longer of:
- the beneficiary’s life expectancy, or
- the remaining life expectancy of the deceased retirement account owner.
- For a non-person beneficiary, the remaining life expectancy of the deceased retirement account owner must be used if the retirement account owner dies on/after the RBD,.
- More than is required under the life-expectancy rule can be withdrawn at any time.
