how to transfer an ira min penalties?

Question

my husband died and has an ira for 20k with an old job, how do i transfer this without getting hit by penalties and taxes. This is all i have, we had no insurance.

Answer 1

if you are the spouse and named as the primary beneficiary (not the estate), you can do a 'spousal rollover' into your own IRA and take the $ out over time or at your convenience.

If you are over 59 1/2 yrs old, distributions will not be subject to penalty. IF you are under 59 1/2, you can can substantially equal distributions over your lifetime and not pay a penalty.

Getting money out of the IRA will always have income tax associated with it (unless the contributions were non-deductible).

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Any tax advice included in this written communication was not intended or written to be used, and it cannot be used by the taxpayer, for the purpose of avoiding any penalties that may be imposed by any governmental taxing authority or agency.

Answer 2

Talk to the advisors at the financial house that is holding the IRA. The laws and regulations are sometimes complex. You may have to pay tax on the interest, you'll probably have to pay inheritance tax unless you are a co-owner already named on the account, there may be penalties. The investment company knows the rules under which the account was opened and funded, and will be the best ones to tell you how to get the money out so you can keep the biggest amount.