In accordance with Executive Order 13847, the Treasury Department and the IRS have examined the life expectancy and distribution period tables in formerly applicable §1.401(a)(9)-9 and have reviewed currently available mortality data. As a result of this review, the Treasury Department and the IRS have determined that those tables should be updated to reflect current life expectancies. Accordingly, these regulations, https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2020-24723.pdf, update those tables.
The life expectancy tables and applicable distribution period tables in these regulations generally reflect longer life expectancies than the tables in formerly applicable §1.401(a)(9)-9. For example, a 72-year-old IRA owner who applied the Uniform Lifetime Table under formerly applicable §1.401(a)(9)-9 to calculate required minimum distributions used a life expectancy of 25.6 years. Applying the Uniform Lifetime Table set forth in these regulations, a 72-year-old IRA owner will use a life expectancy of 27.4 years to calculate required minimum distributions. As another example, a 75-year-old surviving spouse who is the employee's sole beneficiary and applied the Single Life Table under formerly applicable §1.401(a)(9)-9 to compute required minimum distributions used a life expectancy of 13.4 years. Under these regulations, a 75-year-old surviving spouse will use a life expectancy of 14.8 years.
The effect of these changes is to reduce required minimum distributions generally, which will allow participants to retain larger amounts in their retirement plans to account for the possibility they may live longer.
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