Do inherited IRAs have their own RMD rules I need to worry about?
Yes, and they changed significantly under the SECURE Act. Most non-spouse beneficiaries who inherited after 2019 must fully empty the account within 10 years. The IRS has clarified that if the original owner had already started RMDs, the beneficiary must also take annual distributions during that 10-year window, not just drain it by year 10. Spouses get more flexibility: they can treat the IRA as their own or stretch distributions over their life expectancy. Certain eligible beneficiaries, such as minor children of the owner, the chronically ill, or those not more than 10 years younger, can still stretch. Missing an inherited RMD triggers a penalty, so check current rules at irs.gov.
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