# What are required minimum distributions and when do they start?

Canonical: https://theretirementdecisionlab.com/answers/what-are-required-minimum-distributions-and-when-do-they-start/
Section: Can you afford to retire? (Retirement Decision Lab, Decision 1 · Week 1 · Wed Nov 4)
Facts checked: 2026-10-06 · Next review by: 2027-04-06
Reviewed by: Todd Allyn, Founding Director, Sovereo Intelligence Research

## Short answer

Required minimum distributions are yearly withdrawals the IRS makes you take from traditional IRAs and most workplace plans. They start at 73 for most people retiring now and at 75 for people born in 1960 or later. Roth IRAs have none while the owner is alive.

## Detail

The IRS lets money grow tax-deferred in traditional IRAs, SEP and SIMPLE IRAs, 401(k), 403(b) and 457(b) plans, but not forever. Once you reach the starting age, you must withdraw at least a minimum each year, and that withdrawal is generally taxable income.

The starting age is 73 under current law. Under SECURE 2.0, as written into the final IRS regulations published in July 2024, the age rises to 75 for people born on or after January 1, 1960. Your first RMD can wait until April 1 of the year after you reach the starting age. Every later one is due by December 31.

The amount is your account balance on December 31 of the prior year divided by a distribution period from the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table in Publication 590-B. The factor shrinks as you age, so the required share of the account grows.

Miss it and the excise tax is 25% of the amount you were required to take, cut to 10% if you correct it within two years. You report it on Form 5329. Taking extra one year does not count toward the next year's minimum.

Exceptions: Roth IRAs and designated Roth accounts in 401(k) and 403(b) plans have no RMDs while the owner is alive. If you are still working, your current employer's plan may let you delay RMDs from that plan until you retire. What people miss: RMDs add to taxable income, which can raise the share of Social Security that is taxed and push you into a higher Medicare IRMAA tier.

## Where it gets personal

In Week 1 you map when RMDs begin for you and how much taxable income they add in the years they overlap with Social Security. The Retirement Decision Lab: https://theretirementdecisionlab.com/

## Sources

1. Retirement topics: Required minimum distributions (RMDs), Internal Revenue Service: https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-topics-required-minimum-distributions-rmds
2. Retirement plan and IRA required minimum distributions FAQs, Internal Revenue Service: https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/retirement-plan-and-ira-required-minimum-distributions-faqs
3. Required Minimum Distributions (final regulations, 89 FR 58886), Internal Revenue Service, Treasury, Federal Register: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/07/19/2024-14542/required-minimum-distributions

Education only. Not financial, tax, investment, immigration or legal advice.
Agent query endpoint: https://theretirementdecisionlab.com/api/answers?q=your+question