IRA Minimum Required Distributions

[MarZDoates]

I have a technical question regarding IRA minimum distribution requirements and the new regs:

Client began receiving minimum distributions in 1988. We are unable to determine what method (joint, single, etc.) he was using.

He died in 1994 at which time a trust was established and his wife began receiving distributions. She was 69. The initial divisor was "17" and declines by 1 each year.

The question is: Can we change the method to distribute based on HER life expenctancy under the new regs? Objective is to slow the distributions down.

[Appleby]

I don’t see why not.

According to the final regulations, the new RMD rules , effective 01/01/2003 and optional for 2002, applies to all participants and beneficiaries.