Under the current law, the beneficiary of a Stretch IRA can choose to receive the required minimum distributions (RMD) according to his life expectancy, which offers a tax deferral for a longer period. Senate Democrats have suggested modifying the RMD rules. The change would eliminate the stretch IRA by requiring beneficiaries to receive and pay taxes on their IRA distributions within a 5-year term after the IRA owner’s passing. The RMD rules keep taxpayers from deferring their retirement accounts for many years, which resulted in transferring wealth to future generations. However, the Stretch IRAs are the loophole to the RMD rules because they permit the tax deferral to go on for generations. Advisors should meet with their clients and plan for the possibility of the elimination of Stretch IRAs.
See Planning Ideas-The End of Stretch IRAs?, Cannon Insights, 2013.
Special thanks to Jim Hillhouse (Professional Legal Marketing (PLM, Inc.)) for bringing this article to my attention.
