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–$30M 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 →The gap between retirement and your RMD start age is often the lowest-tax period of your life. Converting tax-deferred assets now reduces future RMD burden.
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.
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