Pension, Retirement, and Investment Accounts
What is a spousal rollover of a retirement account?
Short answer
Rolling an inherited retirement account into your own IRA. This allows you to defer required minimum distributions until your own RMD age, choose your own beneficiaries, and continue tax-deferred growth. It is generally the most tax-advantaged option for most surviving spouses —…
What this usually means
Rolling an inherited retirement account into your own IRA. This allows you to defer required minimum distributions until your own RMD age, choose your own beneficiaries, and continue tax-deferred growth. It is generally the most tax-advantaged option for most surviving spouses — but there are exceptions if you need the money before age 59½.
What to do next
- Start the PathAfter checklist for situation-aware first steps.
- Find California county phone numbers for coroner, vital records, and local offices.
- Open the First 72 Hours Call Log before making calls.
- Open the Documents to Find Checklist when you are ready for paperwork.