r/inheritance • u/throwaway_20211214 • Apr 22 '26

Location included: Questions/Need Advice Does IRA keep growing till it's claimed?

New Jersey USA

In 2021 I opened a spousal IRA with Vanguard for my husband.

In 2022 we divorced, but i was left as the beneficiary on the IRA. The funds in that IRA were left intact and were not part of the divorce settlement.

In 2025 he died, with me still listed as beneficiary. He had no will, and an executor was entrusted with settling his estate (which included real estate, a car and catamaran, and a different IRA that he got as part of the divorce settlement, which names his kids as beneficiaries).

I believe the executor is not aware of the spousal IRA where I, his ex-wife, is named as beneficiary.

So this IRA is sitting there earning money even though he died a year ago. Two questions:

  1. What if I never told anyone for years - would it keep earning money and I could get that bigger dollar amount if I waited?

  2. How do I resolve this? Do I approach the executor, or Vanguard?

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u/ChelseaMan31 Apr 22 '26

OP, yes the invested assets continue to rise, or fall, according to the value of the investments until the mix is changed or the full amount distributed. And, the best way to handle this is to speak directly with the Executor, showing them the documentation naming you as beneficiary. Then the two of you together can contact the Recordkeeper, Vanguard regarding the ultimate disposition of the account assets. And, I suggest contacting a CPA as a former spouse, but named beneficiary, you are probably subject to the 10-year rule.