The Slott Report

Good Reasons to Name a Trust as IRA Beneficiary

When a trust is named as beneficiary of an IRA, several possible negative issues may be introduced. For example, after the death of the IRA owner, things can become more complex for the beneficiaries. Trust beneficiaries cannot simply set up their own inherited IRAs. We must open a trust-held inherited IRA and, depending on the trust document, the trust beneficiaries could be limited in their access to the dollars.

State Tax Treatment of 529-to-Roth IRA Rollovers

By now, most of you probably know about the SECURE 2.0 Act provision  permitting 529 funds to be rolled over to Roth IRAs. Because of this new law, parents and grandparents can fund 529 plans without worrying as much about having to pay taxes and penalties if the funds aren’t used for qualified education expenses.

5 Steps for Tax-Free Roth IRA Distributions

The benefit of funding a Roth IRA is the availability of tax-free distributions in the future. You pay taxes now on your contribution (or conversion) in exchange for tax-free earnings down the road. The rules can be complicated. Don’t miss out on Roth IRA benefits by making mistakes when you take a distribution. Here are five steps for tax-free Roth IRA distributions.

401(k) RMD Rollover Problems…and a Last-Minute Save!

401(k) custodians are usually pretty good about distributing required minimum distributions (RMDs) from the plans they oversee. This is especially important when a participant is rolling over his plan balance to an IRA. Why must plan custodians to be on their toes in situations like this? Because plan RMDs are not permitted to be rolled over to an IRA. Some people think they can roll their entire 401(k) to an IRA and simply take the plan RMD from the IRA later in the year. No deal. The plan RMD must be taken prior to any rollover. If the plan RMD is erroneously rolled over, it is now an excess contribution in the IRA, and that error must be corrected.

Another Way to Lose IRA Bankruptcy Protection

Normally, if you declare bankruptcy, your IRA funds (traditional and Roth) are completely off limits to bankruptcy creditors. But a recent court decision is a good reminder that this isn’t always the case.

October 15 Deadlines Are Approaching

October is almost here. This means fall is in full swing. Along with pumpkin spice lattes, football season, and sweater weather come four important October 15 deadlines you will not want to miss!

IRA Beneficiaries and Roth Conversions: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag

QUESTION:My father passed away in November 2021. I became disabled in April 2022. Am I now an eligible designated beneficiary (EDB) that can use the stretch rule for distributions? I receive disability payments, so the SSA knows my disability start date. I have read dozens of articles all with conflicting information. Thank you for any advice.

“IRA Distribution Confusion”

Traditional and Roth IRA owners often get confused about the distributions they take from their IRAs. Mix-ups and misunderstandings are pervasive. With Roth IRAs, there a number of different factors to consider when withdrawing funds.