When a spouse passes away, what occurs to their IRA?

by | May 17, 2023 | Inherited IRA | 1 comment

When a spouse passes away, what occurs to their IRA?




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An IRA, or individual retirement account, is a popular way for individuals to save for their retirement years. However, what happens to an IRA when a spouse dies can be a complex and confusing process. It is important to understand how this process works to avoid any unexpected surprises and ensure that the surviving spouse and any beneficiaries receive the maximum benefits.

If the IRA account was owned solely by the deceased spouse and the surviving spouse was not listed as the beneficiary, the surviving spouse would not have automatic rights to the account. In this scenario, the IRA would be distributed according to the deceased spouse’s will or through the court’s probate process. The surviving spouse may need to hire an attorney to determine their legal rights and to navigate the probate process.

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On the other hand, if the IRA account was a joint account, it would automatically transfer to the surviving spouse. The surviving spouse would then become the sole owner of the account and would have the option to designate their own beneficiaries.

If the deceased spouse had named the surviving spouse as the beneficiary of the IRA, the surviving spouse would receive the account without any probate proceedings. The surviving spouse would have a few options for the IRA. They could roll it over into their own IRA, continue to manage the IRA in the name of the deceased spouse, or take a lump sum distribution.

If the surviving spouse chooses to roll the IRA over into their own IRA, they would be required to begin taking distributions by April 1st of the year after the deceased spouse’s death if the deceased had already started taking distributions. If not, the surviving spouse has the option to defer distributions until the deceased would have reached age 72.

Another option for the surviving spouse is to take a lump sum distribution of the IRA. This would result in a large tax bill and could potentially push the surviving spouse into a higher tax bracket.

If the deceased spouse had named a beneficiary other than the surviving spouse, such as a child or grandchild, the IRA would be distributed directly to that beneficiary and not to the surviving spouse. In this scenario, the surviving spouse would not have any rights to the account.

In conclusion, it is essential to understand the rules and regulations surrounding the transfer of an IRA upon a spouse’s death. Consulting with a financial advisor or an estate attorney is recommended to ensure the surviving spouse and any beneficiaries receive the maximum benefits and avoid any unexpected tax implications.

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1 Comment

  1. Sandra Ospina

    How can I find my husband IRA, he died in 2014

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