Who will inherit your pre-tax IRA? Most elect their spouse. The surviving spouse then makes the decedent’s IRA his or her own. The surviving spouse need not make any withdrawals until he/she attains age 70½, when taxable Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) kick in.
Prior to age 70½, he/she has the flexibility to withdraw any amount at will, and pay the appropriate tax. Should your spouse inherit your Roth IRA, he/she need not make any withdrawals at all during his/her lifetime. If withdrawals are made, they will be tax-free, provided the Roth IRA has been open for at least five years.
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