08/31/2026
“I don’t want a surprise tax bill. How should I handle Required Minimum Distributions?”
I hear this from retirees every year and the truth is, RMDs are predictable when you plan for them.
📌 Under current tax law, most retirees must begin RMDs at age 73, and those withdrawals are fully taxable. The real complexity and the real planning opportunity comes from who inherits your IRA.
👥 What I walk clients through:
Your age determines when RMDs start, but your beneficiary’s age determines how quickly the account must be emptied after you’re gone.
Spouses can treat the IRA as their own and delay RMDs until their required age which is often the most tax‑efficient path.
Adult children generally must empty the account within 10 years, which can create large tax spikes if not planned for.
Minor children, disabled beneficiaries, and certain trusts follow different rules with each requiring careful planning to avoid unnecessary taxes.
📊 Why planning matters:
This is why we coordinate RMDs with your tax brackets, charitable strategies, and your withdrawal plan. When you understand how age and beneficiary type affect the rules, RMDs stop being stressful and start becoming strategic.
✅ Have a Plan!
