Every year, millions of retirees face the same routine: tracking down account balances, re-learning rules that seem to shift, and wondering whether they've done everything correctly. Required Minimum Distributions — RMDs — are the IRS's way of making sure you eventually pay taxes on money that's been growing tax-deferred in your retirement accounts. The concept is straightforward, but the details can feel overwhelming.
I've gone through this process myself every year for over a decade — gathering statements, re-checking the tables, worrying about deadlines. That's why we built SimpleRMD.
This page is a single reference point. It covers who needs to take RMDs, when they start, how the math works, what happens if you miss a deadline, and where inherited IRAs fit in. If you want to run your own numbers, the SimpleRMD calculator is free and requires no account.
In short: A Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) is the minimum amount the IRS requires you to withdraw each year from tax-deferred retirement accounts (Traditional IRA, 401(k), SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA) once you reach age 73. Your RMD is calculated by dividing your prior year-end account balance (December 31) by an IRS life expectancy factor. The annual deadline is December 31. Missing it triggers a 25% excise tax on the shortfall.
On this page
- What Is a Required Minimum Distribution?
- Who Has to Take an RMD?
- When Do RMDs Start?
- How Is Your RMD Calculated?
- What If You Have More Than One Account?
- Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs)
- RMD Deadlines and What Happens If You Miss One
- Inherited IRAs: A Different Set of Rules
- Common RMD Mistakes to Avoid
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is a Required Minimum Distribution?
A Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) is the smallest amount you must withdraw from certain retirement accounts each year. The IRS created RMDs because contributions to accounts like Traditional IRAs and 401(k)s are tax-deferred — meaning you didn't pay income tax on that money when it went in. RMDs ensure the government eventually collects those taxes.
You can always withdraw more than the minimum. But if you withdraw less — or nothing at all — you'll face a penalty.
For a deeper look at the basics, see our full explainer: What is an RMD?
Who Has to Take an RMD?
Not every retirement account requires RMDs. Here's a quick reference:
| Account Type | RMDs Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional IRA | Yes | Starting at age 73 |
| SEP IRA | Yes | Same rules as Traditional IRA |
| SIMPLE IRA | Yes | Same rules as Traditional IRA |
| 401(k) / 403(b) | Yes | May delay if still working for that employer (not a 5%+ owner) |
| Roth IRA | No | Not while the original owner is alive. Beneficiaries must take RMDs. |
| Roth 401(k) / 403(b) | No | Starting in 2024, SECURE 2.0 eliminated lifetime RMDs for designated Roth accounts in employer plans. Beneficiaries still must take RMDs. |
If you inherited an IRA, a different set of rules applies. See: Inherited IRA RMD rules
For details on specific account types: RMDs by account type
When Do RMDs Start?
Your RMD starting age depends on when you were born:
| Birth Year | RMDs Begin At Age |
|---|---|
| 1951–1959 | 73 |
| 1960 or later | 75 (starting in 2033) |
These ages were set by the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022. For the specifics of how this applies to your situation, see: When RMDs start
First-Year Timing: The Double-Up Risk
You can delay your very first RMD until April 1 of the year after you turn 73. But this creates a problem: you'll owe two RMDs in that second year — the delayed first one and the current year's — both taxable as income.
Example: David turns 73 in September 2026. He can delay his first RMD (for 2026) until April 1, 2027. But his second RMD (for 2027) is also due by December 31, 2027. That's two taxable distributions in one calendar year, which could push him into a higher tax bracket.
(If you turned 73 in 2025 and haven't yet taken your first RMD, your deadline is April 1, 2026.)
Choosing Your First RMD Timeline — Option A: Take by Dec 31, 2026 (one distribution per year) vs. Option B: Delay to April 1, 2027 (two distributions in 2027)
For many people, taking the first RMD in the year they turn 73 — rather than delaying — is the better move. See: First-year RMD rules
Still-Working Exception
If you're still employed and participating in your current employer's 401(k), 403(b), or similar plan, you may delay RMDs from that specific plan until you retire — but only if the plan allows this delay. Some plans require distributions at age 73 regardless. This exception does not apply to IRAs, accounts from previous employers, or if you own 5% or more of the business.
Source: IRS — Retirement Topics: Required Minimum Distributions
How Is Your RMD Calculated?
The formula is simple. The inputs are what trip people up.
RMD = Prior year-end balance (Dec. 31) ÷ IRS life expectancy factor
The IRS publishes three life expectancy tables. Which one you use depends on your situation:
- Uniform Lifetime Table (Table III) — used by most original account owners. This is the most common table.
- Joint Life & Last Survivor Table (Table II) — used when your sole beneficiary is your spouse and they are more than 10 years younger than you. This produces a smaller RMD.
- Single Life Expectancy Table (Table I) — used by beneficiaries of inherited IRAs.
For a full explanation of how the tables work: RMD tables explained
Worked Example
Margaret is 76 years old and has a Traditional IRA. Here's how her 2026 RMD is calculated:
| IRA balance on Dec. 31, 2025: | $350,000 |
| Margaret's age on Dec. 31, 2026: | 76 |
| Uniform Lifetime Table factor at age 76: | 23.7 |
| 2026 RMD: $350,000 ÷ 23.7 = | $14,768 |
Margaret must withdraw at least $14,768 from her IRA by December 31, 2026. She can take more if she chooses, but not less.
SimpleRMD calculator showing Margaret's inputs (Traditional IRA, $350,000 balance, age 76) and the resulting $14,767.93 RMD
Want to see your number? Try the SimpleRMD calculator — no signup required.
Source: IRS Publication 590-B — Uniform Lifetime Table
Related: How to calculate your RMD · How RMDs work
What If You Have More Than One Account?
If you have multiple retirement accounts, you must calculate the RMD for each one separately. But whether you can combine those withdrawals into a single distribution depends on the account type.
| Account Type | Calculate Separately? | Can You Aggregate Withdrawals? |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple IRAs | Yes | Yes — you can take the total from one IRA |
| Multiple 401(k)s | Yes | No — must withdraw from each plan separately |
| Multiple 403(b)s | Yes | Yes — can aggregate with other 403(b)s, but not with IRAs |
This is one of the most common sources of RMD errors. If you have both IRAs and 401(k)s, treat them as separate buckets.
For details on specific account types: RMDs by account type
Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs)
If you're age 70½ or older and make charitable donations, a Qualified Charitable Distribution may be worth knowing about. A QCD allows you to transfer money directly from your IRA to a qualified charity. The amount counts toward satisfying your RMD for the year but is not included in your taxable income.
For 2026, the QCD limit is $111,000 per person (inflation-adjusted annually — it was $108,000 in 2025). There is also a one-time option to direct up to $55,000 to a charitable remainder trust or charitable gift annuity.
A few important requirements:
- The transfer must go directly from your IRA custodian to the charity — it cannot pass through your hands first.
- QCDs can only be made from IRAs (not 401(k)s or other employer plans).
- You must be at least 70½ at the time of the distribution — not 73.
| QCD Type | 2026 Limit |
|---|---|
| Annual QCD to qualified charities | $111,000 per person |
| One-time QCD to charitable remainder trust or gift annuity | $55,000 lifetime |
Because the QCD is excluded from your adjusted gross income, it can have downstream effects on Medicare premiums, Social Security taxation, and other income-based thresholds. Talk to your tax professional about whether a QCD fits your situation.
Source: IRS Publication 590-B — Qualified Charitable Distributions
RMD Deadlines and What Happens If You Miss One
Deadlines
For your first RMD: You have until April 1 of the year after you turn 73. (But remember the double-up risk described above.)
For every RMD after that: December 31 of each year. No extensions.
Penalties
If you don't withdraw enough — or miss the deadline entirely — the IRS charges an excise tax on the shortfall.
| Situation | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Missed or insufficient RMD | 25% excise tax on the amount not withdrawn |
| Corrected within 2 years | Automatically reduced to 10% — withdraw the shortfall and file Form 5329 (no waiver letter needed) |
| Reasonable cause waiver | Potentially $0 — file Form 5329 with a letter explaining the circumstances; IRS may waive the penalty entirely |
If you've missed an RMD, don't panic. Take the distribution as soon as possible, then work with your tax professional on Form 5329. The IRS has historically been reasonable about waiving penalties when there's a legitimate reason and the error is corrected promptly.
Source: IRS — Retirement Plan and IRA RMD FAQs
Related: RMD deadlines and penalties · What happens if you don't take an RMD · IRS waiver for missed RMDs
Inherited IRAs: A Different Set of Rules
Full disclosure: I'm in this category myself, and it's the most confusing scenario I've encountered in years of managing RMDs.
If you inherited an IRA from someone who died after 2019, you're likely subject to the 10-year rule introduced by the SECURE Act. This means the entire inherited account must be emptied within 10 years of the original owner's death.
The part that catches people off guard: whether you need to take annual RMDs during those 10 years depends on whether the original owner had already reached their required beginning date (i.e., started taking their own RMDs) before they died. If they had, annual distributions are required in years 1 through 9 — generally based on the beneficiary's life expectancy — with the account fully drained by year 10. If the owner died before their required beginning date, you have more flexibility on timing, but the 10-year deadline is firm.
Certain beneficiaries are exempt from the 10-year rule. Surviving spouses, minor children (until they reach the age of majority), disabled or chronically ill individuals, and beneficiaries who are not more than 10 years younger than the original owner may qualify for life expectancy-based distributions instead. These are called "eligible designated beneficiaries."
The IRS finalized these regulations in July 2024 (effective for distributions in 2025 and beyond). The temporary penalty relief that had shielded beneficiaries who missed annual 10-year rule distributions from 2021 through 2024 has ended. Starting in 2025, the full 25% excise tax applies to missed inherited IRA distributions.
Inherited IRAs are one of the most confusing areas of RMD rules. We have a full guide: Inherited IRA RMD rules · The 10-year rule explained
Source: IRS — RMD FAQs (beneficiary distributions)
Common RMD Mistakes to Avoid
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Waiting until the last minute. Processing a distribution can take days or weeks, especially in November and December. If your custodian hits a backlog and your withdrawal doesn't settle by December 31, you've missed the deadline.
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Forgetting the first-year double-up. Delaying your first RMD to April 1 means two taxable distributions in one calendar year. For many people, taking the first RMD in the year they turn 73 is the better move.
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Not calculating separately for each 401(k). IRA RMDs can be aggregated across accounts. 401(k) RMDs cannot. You must take an RMD from each 401(k) individually.
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Assuming your broker handles it. Some custodians send reminders. A few will calculate your RMD. But most don't verify the number or guarantee it's correct. The responsibility is yours. See: Does my accountant calculate my RMD?
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Ignoring inherited IRA annual requirements. Many beneficiaries assume they can wait until year 10 to withdraw everything. If the original owner had started RMDs, annual distributions are required in years 1–9. The IRS penalty waiver for this has ended.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to take an RMD this year?
If you are 73 or older (or turned 73 this year), yes — unless all of your retirement assets are in Roth accounts. If this is your first year, you may delay until April 1 of next year, but consider whether the double-up is worth it.
Does my accountant or broker calculate my RMD?
Not always. Some custodians provide estimates, and some accountants will calculate it as part of tax preparation. But in most cases, the responsibility to ensure the correct amount is withdrawn on time falls on you. Learn more
Can I take more than the minimum?
Yes. You can withdraw any amount above your RMD. The entire withdrawal is included in your taxable income for the year (except for any portion that was already taxed, such as after-tax contributions). However, excess withdrawals in one year do not reduce your RMD for the next year.
Do Roth IRAs require RMDs?
No — not while the original owner is alive. Designated Roth accounts in employer plans (Roth 401(k), Roth 403(b)) are also exempt from lifetime RMDs starting in 2024, thanks to the SECURE 2.0 Act. However, beneficiaries who inherit any Roth account are still subject to RMD rules. See: Roth IRA RMD rules
What if I'm still working?
If you're still employed, you may be able to delay RMDs from your current employer's retirement plan until you retire — but only if the plan document allows this delay. This exception does not apply to IRAs, accounts from previous employers, or if you own 5% or more of the company. See: When RMDs start
How do I actually take an RMD?
Contact your account custodian (the institution that holds your IRA or 401(k)) and request a distribution. You can typically do this by phone, online, or by submitting a distribution form. You'll choose the amount, any tax withholding, and where to send the funds. See: How to take an RMD
Can a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) satisfy my RMD?
Yes. If you're 70½ or older, you can transfer up to $111,000 (2026 limit) directly from your IRA to a qualified charity. The amount counts toward your RMD but is excluded from your taxable income. The transfer must go directly from your custodian to the charity. See: Qualified Charitable Distributions
Ready to check your numbers?
- Run the calculator — free, no account required
- How RMDs work — step by step
- What is an RMD?
- When do RMDs start?
- RMD deadlines and penalties
- RMDs by account type
- Inherited IRA? Start here
- How RMDs are taxed
- See how SimpleRMD works
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. IRS rules and tax laws are subject to change. Consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for guidance specific to your situation. SimpleRMD is a calculation and tracking tool — not a financial advisory service.
Sources: IRS.gov (Retirement Topics: RMDs, Publication 590-B, RMD FAQs). SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 (Pub. L. 117-328). Rules confirmed current as of February 2026 per IRS Pub 590-B (2025) and IRS Notices.