A Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) is the minimum amount you must withdraw each year from certain retirement accounts once you reach the age at which distributions are required by law.
The age at which RMDs begin has changed over time. Your required beginning date depends on when you were born and when you reached the applicable age threshold.
Tax Year 2026 RMD Information
Under the SECURE 2.0 Act, the age for beginning RMDs increased from 72 to 73 starting in 2023.
If you reach age 73 during 2026, your first RMD is for tax year 2026 and must generally be taken by April 1, 2027. The distribution amount is based on your retirement account balance as of December 31, 2025.
After your first RMD, all future RMDs must generally be taken by December 31 of each year.
Keep in mind that delaying your first RMD until April 1 of the following year means you may need to take two RMDs in the same calendar year:
- Your first RMD by April 1
- Your second RMD by December 31
Taking two distributions in the same year could increase your taxable income for that year.
If You Reached Age 73 in 2025
If you turned 73 during 2025:
- Your first RMD is due by April 1, 2026, based on your account balance on December 31, 2024.
- Your second RMD is due by December 31, 2026, based on your account balance on December 31, 2025.
If You Reached Age 72 in 2023
If you turned 72 during 2023, the original SECURE 2.0 transition rules applied:
- Your first RMD was due by April 1, 2025, based on your account balance on December 31, 2023.
- Your second RMD was due by December 31, 2025, based on your account balance on December 31, 2024.
If You Reached Age 70½ in 2019 or Earlier
If you reached age 70½ before January 1, 2020, your RMD requirements continued under the rules that applied before the SECURE Act changes.
Although RMDs were waived for many retirement accounts during tax year 2020 under pandemic-related relief, normal RMD rules resumed beginning in 2021. If you were already subject to RMDs before 2020, distributions generally resumed by December 31, 2021.
If You Reached Age 72 in 2022
If you turned 72 during 2022:
- Your first RMD was due by April 1, 2023.
- Your second RMD was due by December 31, 2023.
Some taxpayers chose to take their first RMD before December 31, 2022, instead of waiting until April 2023. Doing so may have helped avoid having two taxable RMDs reported in the same tax year.
Should I Delay My First RMD?
You are generally allowed to postpone your first RMD until April 1 of the year following the year you become subject to RMDs.
However, delaying isn't always the best choice. Taking two RMDs in the same year could:
- Increase your taxable income
- Affect the taxation of Social Security benefits
- Impact Medicare premium calculations
- Reduce eligibility for certain tax credits or deductions
If you're considering delaying your first distribution, it may be helpful to review the tax impact before making a decision.
Helpful Tip
Many financial institutions calculate RMD amounts and provide reminders before distribution deadlines. Even if your custodian calculates the amount for you, you're ultimately responsible for ensuring that the correct RMD is withdrawn on time.