Would appreciate some help here.
To "stretch" an inherited IRA (consisting of 5 different Vanguard funds, 4 of which are under $10,000) is it best to take proportional distributions ($ from each account) instead of just one fund?
Is there a "best" time to take the distributions- for example, monthly, quarterly, the entire amount at the end of the year, or is it just personal preference?
Thanks for any help!

ebaines

If the 4 Vanguard funds provide some good diversity, then I would recommend taking some from each so that you keep a balanced, diverse portfolio. For example, if these five funds are a bond fund, large cap growth stock fund, large cap value stock fund, small cap stock fund, and an international fund, I would take amounts that leave you with the mix that you want. If you take all from just one fund, then your investments would become unbalanced.

As for timing the withdrawals - that's a matter of personal taste. You might want to consider holding off any December withdrawals until January so as to defer paying taxes for another year. But if these are required distributions (as many inherited IRAs require) you may not have a choice.