Spousal Beneficiary

Submitted by ShipsnGiggles on Fri, 2023-12-08 19:18

Roth IRA owner, wife, died in 2023
Husband, sole beneficiary established an inherited Roth IRA

Question
Husband – now – wants to make the Roth IRA his. Is this permitted?



Submitted by David Mertz on Fri, 2023-12-08 22:04

Yes, it’s permitted.



Submitted by Alan - IRA critic on Fri, 2023-12-08 22:27

  • He can elect to assume ownership of the inherited Roth from his spouse. If he does so, the holding period of his Roth IRA is the longer of her holding period or his own if he already has a Roth IRA. His Roth IRA will be qualified if the longer holding period is 5 years and if HE is over 59.5. 
  • If he is not yet 59.5 or if the 5 year holding requirement has not been met, and if he will need to take distributions, he may be better off maintaining the Roth as inherited until the Roth will be qualified when he assumes ownership.


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