19-03-2025
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
The SECURE Act 2.0 Presents Key Differences Over 1.0 Version – Do You Need To Modify a Trust?
The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act, signed into law in 2019, brought significant changes to retirement account distribution rules. The subsequent passage of SECURE Act 2.0 in December 2022 further expanded and refined these regulations, impacting individual retirement accounts (IRAs), employer-sponsored plans, and estate planning strategies.
A crucial aspect of these legislative changes is the impact on trusts named as beneficiaries of retirement accounts. This article compares SECURE Act 2.0 to prior law and explains why trusts that were designed before its enactment must be modified to align with the new legal framework.
Prior to the SECURE Act, trusts were often structured as 'conduit trusts' or 'accumulation trusts' to take advantage of the stretch IRA provisions, allowing RMDs to be distributed gradually over the beneficiary's lifetime. However, under the SECURE Act's 10-year rule, these trusts may no longer function as intended, leading to unintended tax consequences and administrative issues.
The SECURE Act 2.0 continues to reshape retirement and estate planning. Trusts that were structured before these changes may no longer align with the new distribution rules, potentially causing unintended tax burdens and limiting beneficiary protections. Anyone with a trust as the beneficiary of a retirement account should review and modify their estate plan with a qualified professional to ensure compliance with the latest laws and optimize tax efficiency.
By understanding the nuances of SECURE Act 2.0 and adjusting trust provisions accordingly, individuals can better protect their assets, reduce tax exposure and ensure a smoother transition of wealth to future generations.
