Roth IRAs intrinsically make phenomenal transfer of wealth vehicles. With reduced estate taxes and no income tax for heirs to pay on withdrawals, establishing a Roth IRA or even converting to one from a Traditional IRA seems to be a simple decision. Just know what you are doing ahead of time.
When planning your estate, keeping all parties in mind is important. So it is with Roth IRAs.
A recent Benzinga article, titled “Legacy And Estate Planning With A Roth IRA,” says you should think about not only the account holder's tax situation, but the heir’s as well and consider the tax burdens your heirs may inherit.
The article recommend converting to a Roth when the estate owner's standard of living seems secure without the IRA. When an IRA is more of an emergency fund and a wealth-transferring vehicle, the objective is to try to ensure the maximum after-tax wealth for heirs. Only when this happens does the objective shift from personal security to the security of future generations.
Along with this, know that IRAs are controlled by regulations to ensure that the account contents are properly accounted for and the taxes paid. Inherited retirement accounts fall under a different set of regulations after the original account holder passes away. Even though the basic differences between Roth IRAs and Traditional IRAs remain, it’s critical to know that second-generation accounts are not treated exactly the same as first-generation accounts. Coupled with this is the fact that not all Traditional IRAs or all Roth IRAs are identical. As a result, you need to understand the specific regulations of your individual account. You can’t just rely on these typical situations described. So individual results may vary!
The most important thing to remember when planning your financial future, according to the original article, is that the more you know and understand regarding your particular financial situation, the better informed your decision-making process becomes. Consult with an experienced estate planning attorney, Robert A. Gordon of Redkey Gordon Law Corp.
Take the time now to invest in yourself and take ownership of your financial health.
Reference: Benzinga (January 30, 2015) “Legacy And Estate Planning With A Roth IRA”
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