Tucked into the gigantic "Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES)” Act were two key changes you should know about, regarding required minimum distributions (RMDs). Both were designed to give people more control over their money and to help manage selling investments during an emergency.
One provision allows retirees to forego taking RMDs from Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA) or 401(k)-style plans this year.
The other provision allows people who have inherited 401(k)s, IRAs or Roth IRAs to suspend distributions in 2020 (while RMDs don't apply to people with Roth IRAs, they do apply to investors who inherit Roth accounts).
Let’s take a look at a couple of examples.
Let’s say an account holder has been taking RMDs from an inherited account for a number of years using the life-expectancy method set by the Internal Revenue Service. The account holder can forgo a distribution in 2020, and resume distributions in 2021.
Suppose an account owner passed away on Jan. 1, 2020 and left the IRA to an adult child. The new 10-year rule would start in 2021. The beneficiary would have until the end of the 10th year to withdraw the entire account.
Important note: If you have already taken a distribution from an IRA or 401(k)-style plan this year, you may be able to roll the funds back into the plan. But if you have already taken a distribution from an inherited IRA, you may not be allowed to put that money back. Keep in mind, the CARES Act is a 335-page bill, and some of the provisions are open to interpretation. Please contact your tax or legal professional to understand how it might impact your situation.
Big picture, these rule changes are meant to help Americans who may be struggling with the economic, emotional, or physical toll of COVID-19. In a tough time, these provisions of the CARES Act give account owners some flexibility that may provide some relief.
We hope you and yours are staying safe and healthy!
Frederic “Ric” Schilling is a Florida native, born in Jacksonville, Fl. Ric is President and founder of Senior Guardians of America, a local North Florida firm specializing in tax reduction, long term illness planning, asset protection, probate avoidance and life income planning. Ric is a National Speaker and Advocate on Senior Issues and has been featured by the Florida Times Union and WJXT, TV-4 in Jacksonville as an authority on Estate Planning and Retirement Issues. Senior Guardians has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and is a member in excellent standing with the National Ethics Association. Ric Schilling is a Certified Financial Fiduciary (CFF). You may contact Ric at 904-371-3302 or 888-891-3381. Please visit: www.seniorguardian.com
This article is not intended to give tax or legal advice. Securities offered through Center Street Securities, Inc. (CSS), a registered Broker-Dealer & member FINRA & SIPC. Investment Advisory Services offered through Center Street Advisors, Inc. (CSA), a SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Schilling and Associates (d/b/a Senior Guardians of America) and CSA are independent of CSS.
