IRA Required Minimum Distribution Guide for Age 73 Withdrawals (2026)
Understand IRA RMD requirements: age threshold, distribution calculation, deadline timing, and penalty avoidance for mandatory retirement withdrawals.
Summary
RMDs are mandatory after age 73. This guide explains distribution calculation, timing, aggregation rules, and penalty avoidance for IRA withdrawals.
Key Steps
- 1Determine RMD age: age 73 required (SECURE 2.0 Act changed from 72).
- 2Calculate RMD: account balance divided by IRS life expectancy factor.
- 3Track deadline: April 1 of year after turning 73, then December 31 annually.
- 4Aggregate IRAs: combine multiple Traditional IRAs for one RMD calculation.
- 5Avoid 25% penalty: missed RMD triggers steep penalty, file Form 5329 for waiver.