Required Minimum Distributions begin between age 72 and 75 — and the planning decisions you make before that birthday have decade-long tax consequences.
Your RMD start age depends on your birth year — 72, 73, or 75 under current law. For households with large tax-deferred balances, RMDs can push you into higher tax brackets, increase Medicare premiums, and create estate planning complexity. The Roth conversion window before RMDs begin is one of the highest-leverage planning opportunities available.
What changes at the $2M–$50M level
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Use the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table and your birth year to project when RMDs begin and how large they will be. For large tax-deferred balances, the amounts can be significant.
Do this in My Wealth Maps →After retirement and before your RMD start age, you may have more control over taxable income — a common window to evaluate Roth conversions. Converting tax-deferred assets before RMDs begin reduces the pre-tax balance subject to future RMDs.
Do this in My Wealth Maps →Medicare Part B and D premiums increase at income thresholds. Large RMDs can trigger IRMAA surcharges of thousands per year.
Do this in My Wealth Maps →Deferring the first RMD creates a double-RMD year. For most households, taking it in the calendar year it's due is simpler.
Large taxable income from RMDs may affect your estate tax planning strategy and charitable giving opportunities.
Find a financial advisor →How prepared are you for rmd start age?
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