Inherited IRAs survived a Congressional proposal to limit their duration to 5 years rather than the life expectancy of the beneficiary.

There are several issues that arise for the beneficiary:

1.  The rules for trusts receiving the benefits must be strictly complied with.  The advisor in the article has a more negative take on trusts as beneficiaries than I do.   The benefits of trusts as beneficiaries can be great and the compliance is not that difficult.

2.  Inherited IRAs should be re-titled after death to read:  “William Smith, Deceased (date of death) IRA F/B/O James Smith, Beneficiary.