Question 1

At what age do RMDs start?

Accepted Answer

Under the SECURE 2.0 Act, RMDs begin at age 73 for anyone born 1951–1959, rising to age 75 for those born in 1960 or later. Your first RMD can be delayed until April 1 of the following year, but that means taking two RMDs in one tax year.

Question 2

How is my RMD calculated?

Accepted Answer

RMD = prior December 31 account balance ÷ your IRS distribution period. The distribution period comes from the Uniform Lifetime Table — at 73 it is 26.5 years, at 80 it is 20.2 years. The divisor shrinks each year, so the required percentage grows as you age.

Question 3

What is the penalty for missing an RMD?

Accepted Answer

The excise tax for a missed RMD is 25% of the amount not withdrawn — reduced to 10% if you correct the shortfall within two years. Before SECURE 2.0 the penalty was 50%, so the rules have become more forgiving, but timely withdrawal is still essential.

Question 4

Do Roth accounts have RMDs?

Accepted Answer

Roth IRAs never require distributions during the original owner's lifetime. Since 2024, Roth 401(k)s are also exempt from RMDs. Only tax-deferred accounts — traditional IRA, SEP, SIMPLE, traditional 401(k)/403(b)/457(b) — have lifetime RMDs.

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