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The stretch IRA is on a stretcher and paramedics just loaded it into an ambulance. It is on life support. Prognosis: negative. For most new beneficiaries, the stretch will not survive. The SECURE Act is the perpetrator, and it gives no quarter. The Act stood defiantly over the stretch after inflicting its damage and made no effort to run when the sirens wailed. But all is not lost. Despite its injuries and overall dire shape, prone in a hospital bed, the stretch may still help some needy heirs. Preceding this assault, essentially two classes of beneficiaries existed. There was the all-encompassing “Beneficiary” term that comprised everyone and everything. Charities, spouses, grandkids, estates, nieces, nephews, trusts, etcetera all fell under this enormous umbrella. Additionally, there was a further subdivision dubbed “Designated Beneficiaries.”

Question: I turn 70 1/2 in 2020. Since I do not have to take a required minimum distribution (RMD), how much can I do in a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) this year? Ronnie Answer: Hi Ronnie, Even though you won’t have an RMD for 2020, that doesn’t affect your ability to take a QCD at age 70 ½. One of the benefits of taking a QCD is to have it count towards the RMD. However, QCDs can be taken in amounts in excess of the RMD (up to the $100,000 annual limit) and can even be taken in years (such as 2020 in your case) when there is no RMD. Just be sure not to initiate the QCD before you are actually 70 ½.

There are three new provisions in the recently enacted SECURE Act designed to promote annuities in company savings plans. That explains why insurance companies lobbied so hard for passage of the legislation. The three provisions are: New protection for plan sponsors who want to start offering annuities. New options for participants to keep their plan annuity investments if the plan stops offering annuities. A new requirement that benefit statements show annuity illustrations. Today, we’ll discuss the first of these three changes. A future Slott Report will tackle the other two.

The SECURE Act is here! Most of new law’s provisions kicked in on January 1, 2020, overhauling many of the rules for retirement accounts that have been with us for decades. One significant change the SECURE Act brings us is the delay in the age at which RMDs must start from 70 ½ to 72. This new rule has raised questions as to how those who reached age 70 ½ in 2019 are affected. Some had already taken 2019 RMDs. Others were waiting to take their first RMD until closer to their required beginning date of April 1, 2020. What happens now to those who reached 70 ½ in 2019? Do they still need to take an RMD for 2019? Can they then stop RMDs until they reach age 72? Would they have a new required beginning date?

Question: With the SECURE Act, can a person who is older than 70 ½ fund a 2019 Traditional IRA? The SECURE Act goes live on 1/1/2020, and an IRA can be funded up to 4/15/2020 for the previous year. Any reason they cannot? Answer: Unfortunately, the answer is no. The new rule eliminating the age limit for traditional IRA contributions is effective January 1, 2020. Prior year contributions for 2019 would be subject to the old rules, including the age limit. The bad news is that a 2019 contribution would not be allowed. The good news is that for 2020 and later years, the age limit is gone.

Question: My husband has taken two different qualified distributions from his Roth IRA within the last 60 days. We would like to "pay those back.” It looks like we can put money back into the Roth IRA as a rollover. My question is: Can we put the total amount of the two distributions back into the same IRA, or are we limited to "paying back" just one of those distributions Thanks, Laura Answer: Hi Laura, Redepositing the funds back into the Roth IRA is considered a rollover. Unfortunately, only one of your husband’s withdrawals can be rolled back into his Roth IRA. He is not permitted to combine them and then roll the combined amount back.

A $1.4 trillion year-end spending bill was signed into law on December 20, 2019 in order to keep the government running. Tucked away inside this mammoth piece of legislation is the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act, which became effective January 1, 2020. This new law includes significant changes to retirement accounts, including: Age Limit Eliminated for Traditional IRA Contributions Beginning in 2020, the new law eliminates the age limit for traditional IRA contributions (formerly 70 ½). Now, those who are still working can continue to contribute to a traditional IRA, regardless of their age. Age Limit Eliminated for Traditional IRA Contributions Beginning in 2020, the new law eliminates the age limit for traditional IRA contributions (formerly 70 ½). Now, those who are still working can continue to contribute to a traditional IRA, regardless of their age. Age Limit Eliminated for Traditional IRA Contributions Beginning in 2020, the new law eliminates the age limit for traditional IRA contributions (formerly 70 ½). Now, those who are still working can continue to contribute to a traditional IRA, regardless of their age.

When the chips are down, the providers hold all the cards. This is true for both IRAs and workplace plans. Ultimately, the IRA custodian (through its custodial form) and retirement plan sponsor (through the plan document) will dictate what a person can and cannot do with his retirement dollars. Prior to sauntering into a local saloon and sitting down at the poker table, be sure to know the rules of the game before asking to be dealt in. For example, if a deceased IRA owner named both his son and daughter as beneficiaries, the custodian can refuse to allow the children to stretch the inherited IRA RMD payments over their own life expectancies. Additionally, what if the beneficiary son wants to disclaim his portion of the IRA? A custodian does not have to accept disclaimers, either.

It is hard to be believe it is December already. The holiday season is now in full swing. There are gifts to buy and wrap and parties to attend. It’s no wonder that during this time of year many people are not thinking too much about their retirement accounts. Don’t make this mistake! Year-end deadlines for IRAs can sneak up quickly at this time of year. Act now while you still have some time because missing these three IRA deadlines can be costly. Take your RMD for 2019 If you have a Traditional IRA (including SEP and SIMPLE IRAs) and you reached age 70½ prior to 2019, you must take your 2019 required minimum distribution (RMD) from your IRA by December 31, 2019.

Just like eating too much pumpkin pie with whipped cream isn’t good for your waistline, being a “top-heavy” retirement plan also may not be healthy. Sponsors of certain retirement savings plans must have their plan tested each year to determine if it is “top-heavy.” The top-heavy test is designed to make sure that lower-paid employees receive at least a minimum benefit if most plan assets are held for higher-paid employees. Section 401(k) plans are subject to top-heavy testing, unless the plan uses a “safe harbor” contribution formula. SEP-IRAs are also subject to testing, but most will automatically comply. Section 403(b) and 457 plans and SIMPLE IRAs are exempt from the top-heavy test.