Direct Answer
The RMD starting age depends on your birth year. Born before July 1, 1949: age 70.5. Born July 1, 1949 through December 31, 1950: age 72 (SECURE Act). Born 1951-1959: age 73 (SECURE 2.0). Born 1960 or later: age 75 (SECURE 2.0).
Required Minimum Distribution Age History
RMD starting age by legislation and birth year
| Legislation | Year Enacted | RMD Starting Age | Applies To (Birth Year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original ERISA framework / IRC Section 401(a)(9) | 1974 (rules clarified 1987) | 70.5 | Born before July 1, 1949 |
| SECURE Act | 2019 | 72 | Born July 1, 1949 through December 31, 1950 |
| SECURE 2.0 Act | 2022 | 73 | Born 1951 through 1959 |
| SECURE 2.0 Act | 2022 | 75 | Born 1960 or later |
Source: IRS: Retirement Plans FAQs Regarding Required Minimum Distributions. Data through 2022; last checked September 2026. Verify rules at IRS.gov before making decisions.
Quick birth year lookup
| Birth Year | RMD Starting Age |
|---|---|
| Before July 1, 1949 | 70.5 (already in RMDs) |
| July 1, 1949 through Dec 31, 1950 | 72 |
| 1951 through 1959 | 73 |
| 1960 and later | 75 |
Roth IRA and Roth 401(k) RMD treatment
Original Roth IRAs have no RMDs during the owner's lifetime. Roth 401(k) accounts were subject to RMDs before 2024; SECURE 2.0 eliminated Roth 401(k) RMDs starting in 2024. Beneficiaries of inherited IRAs (both traditional and Roth) generally must empty the account within 10 years of the owner's death under post-SECURE Act rules.
Frequently asked questions
What age do I start taking required minimum distributions?
Your RMD starting age depends on your birth year. Born before July 1, 1949: age 70.5. Born July 1, 1949 through December 31, 1950: age 72 under the SECURE Act. Born 1951-1959: age 73 under SECURE 2.0. Born 1960 or later: age 75 under SECURE 2.0.
Do Roth IRAs have RMDs?
Original Roth IRAs do not have RMDs during the owner's lifetime. This is one of the primary advantages of a Roth IRA for estate planning. Beneficiaries of inherited Roth IRAs generally must distribute the account within 10 years of the original owner's death under post-SECURE Act rules, but the distributions are still tax-free.
What accounts are subject to RMDs?
RMDs apply to traditional IRAs, SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs, 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans, 457(b) plans, and other defined contribution plans. Designated Roth accounts (Roth 401(k)s) were previously subject to RMDs, but SECURE 2.0 eliminated Roth 401(k) RMDs starting in 2024. Original Roth IRAs are not subject to RMDs.
Cite This Page
If you reference this table in your own work, use the following citation format and add the date you accessed it:
Swoopr Editorial Team. (2026). Required Minimum Distribution Age History. Swoopr Investment. https://www.getswoopr.com/tables/retirement/required-minimum-distribution-age-history/
Check the figures against the primary sources listed under References before you rely on or republish them; the series they come from are revised.