Last Updated: September 2026
Required minimum distributions (RMDs) are the minimum amounts you must withdraw each year from certain retirement accounts once you reach a specific age. The rules have changed several times in recent years under the SECURE Act, the SECURE 2.0 Act, and IRS regulations issued in 2024. Here’s where things stand for 2026, in plain English.
Who Must Take RMDs?
RMDs apply to:
- Traditional, SEP, and SIMPLE IRAs, once you reach your RMD age.
- Employer plans like 401(k)s and 403(b)s, including owner-only 401(k)s. Only the pre-tax portion counts, since Roth accounts in these plans no longer have RMDs during the owner’s lifetime as of 2024.
- Inherited IRAs, depending on the beneficiary’s relationship to the original owner and when the owner passed away.
Roth IRAs are the exception. They don’t require distributions during the original owner’s lifetime.
What Is My RMD Age?
Your RMD age depends on your birth year. RMDs generally begin at age 73 for people born between 1951 and 1959, and at age 75 for people born in 1960 or later. (If you were born in 1959, there’s a small technical ambiguity in the law, but the IRS’s current position is that your RMD age is 73.)
For 2026, that means: if you were born in 1953, this is your first RMD year. If you were born in 1952 or earlier, you should already be taking RMDs each year. If you were born in 1960 or later, your first RMD won’t be due until the year you turn 75, which begins in 2035.
Can I Delay RMDs If I’m Still Working?
Sometimes. If you’re still working for the company that sponsors your 401(k) or 403(b), the plan may allow you to delay RMDs from that plan until April 1 of the year after you retire.
This exception has limits. It doesn’t apply to IRAs, and it doesn’t apply to anyone who owns more than 5% of the business sponsoring the plan, which includes most solo 401(k) owners.
When Is My RMD Due?
- Your first RMD is due by April 1 of the year after you reach your RMD age.
- Every RMD after that is due by December 31 each year.
- If you delay your first RMD until April 1, you’ll need to take two RMDs in that same calendar year, which can increase your taxable income.
How Much Do I Have to Take?
Your RMD is based on your account balance as of December 31 of the previous year, divided by your life expectancy factor from the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table.
Example: If your account was worth $265,000 on December 31, 2025, and you’re 73 in 2026 with a factor of 26.5, your 2026 RMD would be $10,000.
If your IRA holds real estate, notes, or other alternative assets, your December 31 value depends on accurate year-end valuations, so make sure yours are current.
Can I Combine RMDs From Multiple Accounts?
- IRAs: Yes. Calculate the RMD for each traditional, SEP, and SIMPLE IRA separately, then take the total from any one IRA or any combination.
- 403(b)s: RMDs can be combined across your 403(b) accounts, but not with IRAs or 401(k)s.
- 401(k)s: Each plan must satisfy its own RMD, including solo 401(k)s.
What About Inherited IRAs?
If you inherited an IRA from someone who died in 2020 or later, you may fall under the 10-year rule, which requires the entire account to be withdrawn by the end of the 10th year after the owner’s death.
Since 2025, many beneficiaries must also take annual RMDs within that 10-year window, specifically when the original owner had already started taking RMDs. Spouses and certain other beneficiaries have different options, so it’s worth reviewing your situation with a tax advisor.
What Happens If I Miss an RMD?
- The penalty is 25% of the amount you should have withdrawn but didn’t.
- It can drop to 10% if you correct the mistake within the IRS correction window.
- You may be able to request a waiver if the shortfall was due to reasonable error and you’re taking steps to fix it.
A missed RMD doesn’t roll into next year’s requirement. You still need to withdraw the missed amount as soon as possible, in addition to your current year’s RMD.
How MidAtlantic IRA Can Help
RMD rules can feel like a moving target, especially when your account holds alternative assets. Our team is happy to walk you through how these rules apply to your self-directed account, what we’ll need from you each year, and how to request your distribution.
Because every situation is different, we always recommend reviewing your RMD plan with your CPA or tax advisor. MidAtlantic IRA doesn’t provide tax, legal, or investment advice, but we’re here to help you understand the process.
Have questions about your RMD this year? Schedule a call with our team and we’ll help you sort it out.