Permalink Submitted by Alan - IRA critic on Fri, 2018-11-30 18:38
Yes, there is no deadline for electing to assume ownership when the spouse is the sole beneficiary of the IRA. For any year after the year of death in which the spouse assumes the IRA, they are treated as if they owned it the entire year, and therefore can use the Uniform Table for RMD calculation. That would sharply reduce the RMDs compared to a beneficiary IRA, and will also protect the stretch for the spouse’s own beneficiary.
Permalink Submitted by Alan - IRA critic on Fri, 2018-11-30 18:38
Yes, there is no deadline for electing to assume ownership when the spouse is the sole beneficiary of the IRA. For any year after the year of death in which the spouse assumes the IRA, they are treated as if they owned it the entire year, and therefore can use the Uniform Table for RMD calculation. That would sharply reduce the RMDs compared to a beneficiary IRA, and will also protect the stretch for the spouse’s own beneficiary.