New RMD Rules 2026: Key Changes You Need to Know

By Brent Meyer — SafeMoney.com Founder & Editor Reviewed by Licensed Financial Professionals  |  SafeMoney.com — Trusted Since 2011  |  Updated Regularly Quick Answer: The IRS finalized new Required Minimum Distribution rules clarifying the SECURE Act and SECURE 2.0 Act — raising the RMD starting age to 73 (and 75 by 2033) and requiring annual withdrawals from inherited accounts. These rules took effect January 1, 2025. Key Takeaways RMD age is now 73 (born 1951–1959) or 75 (born 1960 or later), giving more time for tax-deferred growth. Inherited IRA beneficiaries of account holders who had begun RMDs must take annual distributions — not wait until year 10. Roth 401(k) accounts are moving closer to Roth IRA treatment, reducing mandatory withdrawal requirements. Plan administrators must update systems and notify account holders of the new requirements. Use our retirement calculators to model your RMD schedule. Consult a SafeMoney certified advisor for personalized withdrawal strategy. Related Articles 6 Retirement Rules of Thumb | Retirement Planning 24 Retirement Planning Mistakes to Avoid Retirement Income Planning Tips for Small Business Owners 6 Risks to Retirement Income You Shouldn't Ignore New IRS and Treasury Department Regulations on Required Minimum Distributions The IRS and Treasury Department released long-anticipated final regulations on Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs). These RMDs are mandatory yearly withdrawals from individual retirement accounts (IRAs), 401(k)s, and other tax-deferred retirement plans. The regulations clarify changes from the SECURE Act of 2020 and the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022, and took effect on January 1, 2025. Background: SECURE Act and SECURE 2.0 Act The SECURE Act, effective in 2020, made significant changes to retirement savings laws. Key changes included increasing the RMD age from 70½ to 72 and requiring most non-spouse beneficiaries to withdraw all inherited retirement account funds within 10 years. The SECURE 2.0 Act, signed in December 2022, further increased the RMD age to 73 starting in 2023 and to 75 starting in 2033, alongside other provisions to boost retirement savings and streamline plan management. Key Highlights of the New Regulations Clarification on the 10-Year Rule: A major point of confusion under the initial SECURE Act was whether beneficiaries of account holders who had already begun taking RMDs needed to continue these withdrawals yearly. The regulations clarify that suc