Should I Keep All IRAs Separate?
This week’s Slott Report Mailbag looks at combining IRA monies into one big IRA, how 401(k)s affect calculating yearly IRA distributions and whether leaving equal IRA shares to your three children is possible. As always, we recommend you work with a competent, educated financial advisor to keep your retirement nest egg safe and secure. You can find one in your area here.
1.
Is there any reason to keep a nondeductible Traditional IRA separate from a pre-tax Traditional IRA? I know the pro-rata rule applies to Roth conversions, IRA distributions, etc. so I was wondering if there’s any reason why someone shouldn’t consolidate their Traditional IRAs together in order to simplify.
Dale
Answer:
There’s no reason to keep nondeductible money in a separate IRA because the Tax Code treats all of your Traditional, SEP, and SIMPLE IRAs as one IRA for purposes of the pro-rata tax rule.
2.
Hi Mr. Slott,
Really enjoyed your PBS program – have been reviewing your DVDs.
A question to follow-up on your July 10th answer to the Pre and Post Tax monies that was posed by Michael from New Jersey:
I currently have a 401(k) from a former employer that is composed of a “mixed bag” of both pre and post tax contributions. I also own a rollover IRA that contains purely pre-tax contributions and a Roth IRA. The same broker manages all of these accounts. I converted monies from the rollover IRA to the Roth IRA and the 8606 Form that was ultimately generated did not reflect the “pro-rata rule” because I was advised that the monies in the 401(k) are not considered an IRA. Additionally, I was advised that I could continue to convert monies from the Rollover IRA to the Roth IRA without regard to the “mixed 401(k).” Is this correct?
Thanks
Ed from PA
Answer:
Yes, that is correct. Funds in your 401(k) plan are not counted for purposes of figuring the taxable amount of IRA distributions, including distributions that are converted to a Roth IRA. The only time a 401(k) plan will affect your IRA conversions is when you roll over 401(k) funds to an IRA.
3.
Hello,
I am updating my beneficiary forms for my IRAs and have been told by the agent of my IRA Custodian that I may not write in “equal” in lieu of percentages, which add up to 100%. I also cannot indicate 33 and a third percent. I have 3 children and want them to each receive the same amounts. I am trying to follow Ed’s advice from the Retirement Rescue packet that I just received through my PBS television network. What should I do? Is the advice I have been given accurate?
Mary
Answer:
There should be a way to leave your 3 children equal shares of your IRA. We suggest that you ask the agent how to fill out the beneficiary form so you can leave your children equal shares. If they say it’s not possible or cannot answer your question, then you may want to consider transferring your IRA to a more cooperative IRA custodian.
– By Joe Cicchinelli and Jeffrey Levine