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Retirees Must Begin Age-73 RMDs, Plan Tax Impact

5/10/2026

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Summary

Story summary

U.S. retirees must start required minimum distributions (RMDs) from tax-deferred accounts at age 73.
The RMD equals the account balance divided by a life-expectancy factor from the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table.
For a $300,000 401(k) or traditional IRA, the calculated RMD rises each year as the factor declines with age.
Retirees should plan early for the tax bill that accompanies each increasing distribution.

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Story summary

U.S. retirees must start required minimum distributions (RMDs) from tax-deferred accounts at age 73.
The RMD equals the account balance divided by a life-expectancy factor from the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table.
For a $300,000 401(k) or traditional IRA, the calculated RMD rises each year as the factor declines with age.
Retirees should plan early for the tax bill that accompanies each increasing distribution.