Pre-Secure Act Spousal Beneficiary

Hello,

I have RMD question, Spousal IRA BDA and the husband died in 2021 at 69. Wife is 5 years older. The wife could delay the RMD’s  until 2025 when the husband would have been 73 or would it be in 2024 when he would have turned 72 which at the time of his death 72 was the RMD age? If the spouse needs to take an RMD in 2024 can she use the husband’s life expectancy since it would be lower? 

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.



Husband was born in 1952, so his RMD age is 73 and his first RMD year would have been 2025. Therefore, spouse does not need to take an RMD in 2024. In 2025 when her RMDs begin, she must use her own age because husband passed prior to RBD. Her RMDs will be much lower if she elects to assume ownership of the IRA (anytime in 2025) as the Uniform Table produces a much lower RMD than the single life table. With ownership election, she will use her attained age in 2025 with the Uniform Table.

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