IRA BENEFICIARIES tax consequences?
Dear Terry, My 2 children are my IRA beneficiaries. If I die will they have to pay taxes on the proceeds. Do they have options?
Terry Says
Great question and it gives me a good chance to remind readers of two things:
- It's important to name a beneficiary (or beneficiaries) for all retirement accounts
- It's equally important to educate them to the fact that they should NOT WITHDRAW the money when you die. Instead have it rolled into an inherited IRA with the same custodian. That way the money can continue to grow tax-deferred until they take it out, presumably later in their lives. This tax-deferred growth is the best gift!