Recent retirement savings legislation (e.g., the SECURE 2.0 Act) has created confusion about when people must begin taking required minimum distributions (RMDs) from tax-deferred retirement savings accounts. (RMDs are the minimum amounts you must withdraw from certain retirement accounts each year once you reach a certain age.)
New RMD rules
For example, a few years ago, the SECURE Act raised the age for taking RMDs from 70.5 to 72. But when the SECURE 2.0 Act became law, the RMD age moved to 73. That raised questions for many about when their first RMDs were due.
Confusing things even more, the IRS delayed rules for some inherited IRA RMDs. The agency also waived penalties for failing to take certain RMDs. So, for 2023, some retirees wonder whether and when they must take required minimum distributions.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
RMD age by birth year
Thankfully, to simplify things, there is a relatively straightforward guideline for some 2023 RMDs. That’s because the age at which you must start taking required minimum distributions is determined by your birth year.
- Essentially, if you were born in 1950 or earlier, you must take required minimum distributions in 2023.
- However, if you were born on or after January 1, 1951, you are not obligated to take RMDs in 2023.
Note: Accounts subject to RMD rules include employer-sponsored retirement plans including, including profit-sharing plans, 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans, and 457(b) plans. Other tax-deferred retirement accounts, such as traditional IRAs, SEPs, and SIMPLE IRAs, are also subject to RMDs.
Do Roth IRAs have RMDs? But remember that inherited IRAs have their own set of complicated rules. Meanwhile, Roth IRA accounts are not subject to RMD requirements until after the account owner dies. And beginning in 2024, RMDs won’t be required for designated Roth 401(k) accounts. (However, 2023 RMDs due by April 1, 2024, are still required.)
When do RMDs start?
- If you reach age 72 in 2023, your first RMD can be delayed until age 73. So, the first RMD (for 2024) is due April 1, 2025.
- If you were age 72 in 2022, the prior RMD rule applies. That means your first RMD was due April 1, 2023, and your second RMD was due Dec. 31, 2023. (The RMD amount would be based on your account balance on Dec. 31 of last year, 2022).
It's important to note that your first RMD can wait until the 1st of April, the following year. That might give you time to align the distribution with your financial situation, but it can result in two RMDs in a year.
However, remember that subsequent RMDs must be completed by December 31 of a given year.
How are RMDs taxed?
Required minimum distributions are generally taxed as ordinary income in the year they are taken. So, RMDs can increase your taxable income and potentially push you into a higher federal income tax bracket.
Additionally, increased income from required distributions can affect your eligibility for some tax credits and deductions and impact the amount you pay in Medicare Part B and D premiums.
What can you do? Given the potential impacts of RMD income and recent legislative changes in SECURE 2.0, it's essential to stay informed and seek advice from financial experts to ensure compliance with the latest regulations. Also keep in mind that failing to take RMDs can result in IRS penalties.
Consult your financial advisor or a tax professional to plan your retirement account distributions and make informed decisions on withdrawals that optimize your financial situation in retirement while minimizing tax implications.
Related Content
-
Which Stores Are Closing (and Which Aren’t) for Easter 2025?Dozens of major retailers are planning to close their doors on April 20. Find out which of your go-to stores are on the list.
-
What 401(k) Savers Near Retirement Can Do Amid Market VolatilityWhether retirement is years away, a year or two out, or in the rearview mirror, here's how to handle uncertainty in your 401(k).
-
Free IRS Tax Filing for 30 Million People: Will It Continue Under Trump?Tax Filing Direct File was piloted last year in 12 states and has since expanded to 25. But some wonder whether the program will last under the Trump administration.
-
How Caregivers for Adults Can Save on Taxes in 2025Tax Breaks Caring for your parent or spouse can be stressful, but the IRS offers tax breaks for qualifying taxpayers. Here they are.
-
U.S. Treasury to Eliminate Paper Checks: What It Means for Tax Refunds, Social SecurityTreasury President Trump signed an executive order forcing the federal government to phase out paper check disbursements by the fall.
-
IRS Layoffs Spark Delays, Doubt This Tax Season
Tax Season Tax experts say Trump’s downsizing of the IRS is already causing problems.
-
States with the Highest Income Tax Rates for RetireesState Tax You may reconsider living and retiring in one of these states due to high taxes.
-
AI Tax Scams Target Middle and Older Adults: What to KnowScams Whether you’re a retiree or Gen Z, scammers can gouge big financial losses with the help of artificial intelligence.
-
Tax-Deductible Home Improvements for Retirement in 2025Retirement Taxes Your aging-in-place plan could benefit from the medical expense tax deduction. But watch out for capital gains and property taxes.
-
Don’t Make These Five Mistakes on Your Tax ReturnTax Filing The IRS warns taxpayers to watch out for these common errors as they prepare to file.
