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RMDs after the SECURE Act 2.0

Starting ages, which accounts can be combined, the first-year deadline, and the current penalty rules.

By Charles Mungovan, Founder, licensed insurance producer · Published 2026-08-14 · Last reviewed 2026-08-14

Starting ages

Required minimum distributions once began at 70½, then at 72. Under SECURE 2.0, the applicable age is 73 for individuals who reach age 72 after 2022, and 75 for individuals born in 1960 or later. Anyone already taking RMDs under an earlier rule continues on that schedule.

How the amount is calculated

An RMD is generally the prior December 31 account balance divided by a life-expectancy factor from the IRS tables for the account owner’s age. Each account type is calculated under its own rules.

Which accounts can be combined

  • IRA RMDs are calculated for each IRA, but the total may be aggregated and taken from one or more IRAs.
  • 401(k) and other defined-contribution plan RMDs must generally be calculated and taken separately from each plan — they cannot be aggregated with IRAs or with each other.
  • 403(b) accounts are an exception among employer plans: RMDs from multiple 403(b) accounts may be aggregated and taken from one of them, but not combined with IRAs or 401(k)s.
  • Roth IRAs do not require distributions during the original owner’s lifetime.

The first RMD and tax bunching

The first RMD may be delayed until April 1 of the year after the year the applicable age is reached. Using that extension means two distributions fall in the same tax year — the delayed first one and the one due by December 31 — which can raise taxable income, marginal rate, and Medicare income-related premium amounts. After the first year, the deadline is December 31 each year.

The penalty and the correction window

The excise tax for failing to take an RMD was reduced by SECURE 2.0 from 50% to 25% of the shortfall. It can be reduced to 10% if the shortfall is corrected within the correction window defined by the statute and the required return is filed. Relief may also be requested for reasonable error. The mechanics are specific — work through them with a tax professional.

Qualified charitable distributions

At age 70½ or older, an IRA owner may direct a qualified charitable distribution to an eligible charity. It can count toward the RMD and is excluded from taxable income when the requirements are met. The annual limit is indexed for inflation, so confirm the current-year figure in IRS guidance before relying on it.

This article is educational. It is not tax advice, and it does not address every rule or exception. Confirm current figures and your own situation with the IRS or a tax professional.

Educational information only. This page is not individualized insurance, investment, tax, legal, or accounting advice, and it is not a recommendation to buy or replace any product.

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