Direct answer: Required minimum distributions (RMDs) must begin at age 73 for individuals born between 1951 and 1959, and at age 75 for those born in 1960 or later. This was changed by the SECURE 2.0 Act. The first RMD may be delayed to April 1 of the year following the year you turn the applicable RMD age, but taking two RMDs in one year can increase taxable income significantly. The amount of each RMD is calculated by dividing the prior year-end account balance by a life expectancy factor from the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table.
RMD Ages 73 and 75: Which Birth Years Follow Which Rule?
How do I know whether my RMD age is 73 or 75?
Your RMD starting age depends on your birth year. The SECURE 2.0 Act, signed into law in December 2022, created two distinct thresholds. If you were born between 1951 and 1959, your required beginning date is the year you turn 73. If you were born in 1960 or later, your required beginning date is the year you turn 75.
Individuals born in 1950 or earlier already reached age 72 under the original SECURE Act rules and were not affected by SECURE 2.0's changes.
| Birth Year | RMD Starting Age | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 or earlier | 72 | Pre-SECURE 2.0 rule |
| 1951 to 1959 | 73 | SECURE 2.0 |
| 1960 or later | 75 | SECURE 2.0 |
The first RMD deadline has a special rule: you may delay your first RMD to April 1 of the year after you reach your applicable RMD age. However, if you use this delay, you will owe two RMDs in the same calendar year (the deferred first RMD by April 1, and the current year's RMD by December 31). Taking two distributions in one tax year increases your taxable income for that year, which can affect Medicare premiums and tax bracket calculations. Many people choose not to use this delay for that reason.
How is the RMD amount calculated?
Each year's RMD is calculated by dividing the account balance as of December 31 of the prior year by a life expectancy factor from the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table (Publication 590-B). The factor decreases as you age, meaning a larger fraction of the account must be distributed each year.
For example, at age 73 the Uniform Lifetime Table factor is 26.5. If your IRA balance on December 31 of the prior year was $500,000, your RMD for the current year would be $500,000 divided by 26.5, which equals approximately $18,868.
If you have multiple traditional IRAs, you calculate the RMD separately for each account but may aggregate and take the total from any one or more of your IRAs. For 401(k) plans, RMDs must be taken from each plan separately unless the plans permit aggregation.
Roth IRAs do not require distributions during the original owner's lifetime. Roth 401(k) accounts were subject to RMDs before 2024; SECURE 2.0 eliminated that requirement starting in 2024. The Swoopr RMD Estimator can help you model RMD amounts across different account balances and ages.
What happens if I miss or underpay an RMD?
Failing to take a required minimum distribution results in a federal excise tax. Under SECURE 2.0, the excise tax rate is 25% of the shortfall (the amount you were required to take but did not). This is a reduction from the prior 50% rate.
The penalty can be further reduced to 10% if you correct the missed RMD within the IRS correction window. The correction window is generally the end of the second tax year following the year the RMD was due, though the IRS has provided more specific guidance in Publication 590-B.
The IRS has historically been willing to waive the penalty for taxpayers who can demonstrate reasonable cause and take corrective action promptly. First-time errors with a clear explanation are the most common cases for waiver requests. You must file Form 5329 to report the missed RMD and, if applicable, request a penalty waiver.
State income taxes may apply to RMD distributions in addition to federal taxes. Some states exempt retirement income or RMDs from state taxation; verify the rules for your state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do RMDs apply to Roth IRAs?
Under current law, Roth IRAs do not have required minimum distributions during the original owner's lifetime. Roth 401(k) and Roth 403(b) accounts were subject to RMDs until SECURE 2.0 eliminated that requirement starting in 2024. Inherited Roth IRAs have their own distribution rules.
Can I take more than the RMD amount?
Yes. The RMD is a minimum, not a cap. You may withdraw more than the required amount. Any amount above the RMD (from a traditional account) is still subject to ordinary income tax. Excess withdrawals do not reduce future year RMD amounts; the calculation resets each year based on the December 31 account balance.
What is the penalty for missing an RMD?
The excise tax for a missed or underpaid RMD is 25% of the shortfall under SECURE 2.0 rules (reduced from 50%). If you correct the missed RMD within the correction window (generally the following year), the penalty is further reduced to 10%. The IRS has historically shown willingness to waive penalties for first-time errors with reasonable cause.