20 April 2024

RMD Comparison Chart (IRAs vs. Defined Contribution Plans)

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This chart highlights some of the basic RMD rules as applied to IRAs and defined contribution plans (e.g., 401(k), profit-sharing, and 403(b) plans). 

Required Minimum Distributions for Account Owners  

   

IRAs including SEP, SIMPLE and SARSEP IRAs    

Defined Contribution Plans    

When do I take my first RMD (the required beginning date)?  

You must take your first RMD by April 1 of the year following the year in which you turn 70½, regardless of whether you are still employed.  

April 1 of the year following the later of the year you turn 70 ½ or the year you retire (if allowed by your plan). If you are a 5% owner, you must start RMDs by April 1 of the year following the year you turn 70½.  

 

When do I reach age 70½?  

You reach age 70½ on the date that is 6 calendar months after the date of your 70th birthday.

Example: Your 70th birthday was June 30, 2010. You reached age 70½ on December 30, 2010. You must take your first RMD (for 2010) by April 1, 2011.
 

Example: Your 70th birthday was July 1, 2010. You reached age 70½ on January 1, 2011. You do not have an RMD for 2010. You must take your first RMD (for 2011) by April 1, 2012.  

Same as IRA rule  

What is the deadline for taking subsequent RMDs after the first RMD?  

After the first RMD, you must take subsequent RMDs by December 31 of each year beginning with the calendar year containing your required beginning date.  

Example: You turn 70½ on July 15, 2010. You must take your first RMD, for 2010, by April 1, 2011. You must take your second RMD, for 2011, by December 31, 2011, and your third RMD, for 2012, by December 31, 2012.  

Same as IRA rule  

How do I calculate my RMD?  

Your RMD is generally determined by dividing the adjusted market value of your IRAs as of December 31 of the preceding year by the distribution period that corresponds with your age in the Uniform Lifetime Table (Table III in IRS Publication 590, Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs)).              

If your spouse is your sole beneficiary and is more than 10 years younger than you, you will use the Joint Life and Last Survivor Expectancy Table (Table II in IRS Publication 590).  

Required Minimum Distribution Worksheets
 

Same as IRA rule  

Your plan sponsor/administrator should calculate the RMD for you.  

 

How should I take my RMDs if I have multiple accounts?  

If you have more than one IRA, you must calculate the RMD for each IRA separately each year. However, you may aggregate your RMD amounts for all of your IRAs and withdraw the total from one IRA or a portion from     each of your IRAs. You do not have to take a separate RMD from each IRA.  

If you have more than one defined contribution plan, you must calculate and satisfy your RMDs separately for each plan and withdraw that amount from that plan.  

Exception: If you have more than one 403(b) tax-sheltered annuity account, you can total the RMDs and then take them from any one (or more) of the tax-sheltered annuities.  

 

May I withdraw more than the RMD?  

Yes, an IRA owner can always withdraw more than the RMD. You cannot apply excess withdrawals toward future years’ RMDs.  

Same as IRA rule  

May I take more than one withdrawal in a year to meet my RMD?  

You may withdraw your annual RMD in any number of distributions throughout the year, as long as you withdraw the total annual minimum amount by December 31 (or April 1 if it is for your first RMD).   

Same as IRA rule  

What happens if I do not take the RMD?  

If the distributions to you in any year are less than the RMD for that year, you are subject to an additional tax equal to 50% of the undistributed RMD.   

Same as IRA rule  


Note:  There are no RMD requirements for a Roth IRA while the owner is alive. However, designated Roth accounts are subject to the RMD rules.    

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