Need help on Q on revocability and liability of election by beneficiar

[Guest Matthew Smith]

I am looking for some guidance on the minimum distribution requirements for qualified retirement plans. If a plan owner dies prior to required beginning date and before distribution of the plan assets, and the beneficiary elects to take the distribution over a 5 year period, is there a statute of limitations for that decision? Is that decision irrevocable, and does it pass on to subsequent beneficiaries?