Understanding IRA Required Minimum Distributions

By: Jan Paul C. Ferrer

 

IRAs are an important part of many investors’ nest eggs. Know the rules for how to withdraw funds from them for your retirement.

Individual retirement accounts (IRAs) play a key role in helping Americans save for retirement. In 2021, IRAs represented one-third of total U.S. retirement assets, providing an important income source for retirees.1

But just as you formed a strategy and adhered to rules for investing in your IRA, you must also understand when and how to take your required minimum distributions (RMDs). The answers to these questions may help your distribution strategy meet legal requirements and your personal needs, too.

When do I need to start taking IRA distributions?

If you own a Traditional, SEP, SAR-SEP, or SIMPLE IRA account—you may begin taking penalty tax-free distributions from your account at age 59½. But you must begin taking RMDs from your IRA account once you reach age 73 (age 75 starting in 2033).\ You are permitted to delay the first distribution until April 1 of the year after you reach RMD Age. This is called your Required Beginning Date (RBD). However, after the year in which you attain RMD Age, RMDs must be taken by December 31 of each year. If you delay your first RMD until the RBD, you will have two distributions in one tax year (i.e., the 2023 and the 2024 RMDs).

Note that if you own several IRAs, the RMD must be calculated separately for each IRA but you can generally withdraw the total of all RMDs (other than inherited IRAs from any one (or more) IRA account(s) (other than Roth IRAs and inherited IRAs). Roth IRA accounts do not require distributions until the death of the owner.

However, failing to take RMDs as required can be expensive. If you receive less than your RMD amount for the calendar year, you are generally required to fill out IRS Form 5329 and are generally subject to a 25% excise penalty tax on the amount that should have been distributed but was not. If you correct the mistake quickly, the penalty falls to 10%.

Calculating RMDs

RMDs are calculated using your life expectancy. Of course, no one knows for certain how long they’ll live, but the IRS provides two life expectancy tables for lifetime RMD calculation purposes: the uniform lifetime table and the joint life expectancy table. You can find these tables on the IRS website (www.irs.gov) along with worksheets and instructions on how to perform the calculation. In general, you’ll use the uniform lifetime table to calculate your RMD, unless you qualify to use the joint life expectancy table and choose to use it. If your spouse is your sole primary beneficiary and is more than 10 years younger than you, you may be able to use the joint life expectancy table.

May I make changes once I start receiving RMDs?

Even after you’ve begun taking RMDs, you can make a variety of changes to your account and distributions. You can always increase the amount of your distribution beyond the RMD, but keep in mind that you cannot apply the excess amounts cannot toward the RMDs of future years. Your can also update your beneficiary information at any time. I. You may even change from the uniform table RMD calculation method to the joint life expectancy method if you name your spouse as the sole primary beneficiary for the entire calendar year and your spouse is more than 10 years younger than you. Your marital status is generally determined as of January 1 of each distribution year.

Getting your RMDs right once you reach RMD age is an important part of your retirement income plan. A Financial Advisor who is familiar with your unique circumstances can help you structure a comprehensive plan to help you stay on track to meet your retirement goals.

Footnotes

1 “The Role of IRAs in US Households’ Saving for Retirement, 2021”, ICI Research Perspective, January 2022, https://www.ici.org/system/files/2022-01/per28-01.pdf

Important Disclosures: Article by Morgan Stanley and provided courtesy of Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor.

Jan Paul C. Ferrer is a Financial Advisor in Chicago, IL at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”). He can be reached by email at janpaul.ferrer@morganstanley.com or by telephone at 312 312-419-3535. https://advisor.morganstanley.com/janpaul.ferrer

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