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Inherited IRA distribution planner
The rule that governs an inherited IRA — and the date the account must be emptied — depends on three facts: the year the original owner died, whether they had reached their required beginning date, and your beneficiary category. Set those three and this shows the governing rule, the exact deadline, and whether you owe an annual distribution along the way. It never asks for a balance and never estimates a payment.
Answer the three questions to see which rule applies and the exact deadline.
How the pieces fit together
Since the SECURE Act, most non-spouse beneficiaries fall under the 10-year rule. Whether that rule also carries an annual RMD in years 1–9 turns entirely on whether the owner died before or after the required beginning date. A narrow group of eligible designated beneficiaries — a surviving spouse, the owner’s minor child, someone disabled or chronically ill, and someone not more than 10 years younger — can still stretch distributions over a life expectancy.
What this planner does not do
- It does not calculate a dollar RMD. That figure is the prior December 31 balance divided by the applicable Single Life Table factor for the year.
- It does not resolve a see-through trust, multiple beneficiaries who did not split the account, or a successor beneficiary in depth — those have their own guides.
- It is not tax advice. Confirm your category and every date with your custodian or a tax professional.