New RMD rules for 2023

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What are the new rules on required minimum distributions from IRAs and 401(k)s? I wil be 72 this year and want to be clear on what I a m required to do.

Under the SECURE 2.0 Act signed into law in December 2022. there are several new rules that affect required minimum distributions (RMDs) from traditional Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), 401 (k)s and other tax-deferred retirement accounts. These changes, which build on the SECURE Act of 2019, are a benefit to retirees because they increase the RMD age and lower the penalty for failing to take a withdrawal. Here is what you should know.

New RMD Rules As of Jan. 1, 2023, the SECURE 2.0 Act increased the age for starting M D s from 72 to 73. This is applicable to individuals turning 72 on or after Jan. .1 In 2033, the starting age increases again to 75. This change means that if you turn 72 in or after 2023, you can delay your M D s one more year, allowing the funds in these accounts to grow tax-free for longer.

At 73, you must start taking annual M D s from the tax-deferred retirement accounts you own /- . traditional IRAs, SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs, 401(k)s, 403(b)s and 457(b)s- and paytaxes on those withdrawals. Distributions are taxed as ordinary income based on your tax bracket.

There are, however, a few exceptions to the RMD requirement. Owners of Roth IRAs are not required to take a distribution unless ti is inherited. Beginning in 2024, Roth MDs wil not be required for any Roth IRAs.

Furthermore, fi you participate in a workplace retirement plan, work beyond 73 and do not own 5% or more of the company, you can delay M D s from a workplace retirement plan until the year you retire. However, fi you have other non-work-related accounts, such as a traditional IRA or a 401 (k) from a previous employer, you are still required to take M D s from those accounts after 73, even fi you are still working.

Deadlines and Penalties Generally, you must take your distribution every year by Dec. 31 in order to avoid penalties. You can choose to delay taking your first distribution until April 1of the year following the year you turn 73. Be cautious when delaying the first distribution, as it may push you into a higher tax bracket since the next distribution is to be made by Dec. 31 of the same year.

Also, note that while you can always withdraw more than the required amount, you should not take less than the required amount. If you do not take out the minimum, you will be assessed with a 25% penalty (lowered from 50%) on the amount that you failed to withdraw, along with the income tax you owe on it.  This penalty drops to 10% if you take the necessary MD by the end of the second year following the year it was due. Account owners should consult with their tax professionals for the required tax forms to be filed for the years in which the M D s were required but not taken.

Distribution Amounts Your M D is calculated by dividing your tax-deferred retirement account balance as of Dec. 31 of the previous year by an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) estimate of your life expectancy. A special rule applies fi your spouse is the beneficiary and is more than 10 years younger than you.

IRA withdrawals must be calculated for each IRA you own, but you can withdraw the money from any IRA or combination of IRAs. 403(b) account totals may also be combined with IRAs for M D s taken from any account or combination of accounts.

With 401 (k) and 457(b) plans, however, you must calculate the RMD for each plan and withdraw the appropriate amount from each account. To calculate your MD, you can use the worksheets on the IRS website; click on "Required Minimum Distributions." Alternatively, contact your IRA custodian or retirement-plan administrator, who can do the calculations for you.
For more information, see the "Distributions from Individual Retirement Arrangements" (publication 590-B).

"Savvy Living" is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to NBC's "Today Show." The column, and others like it, is available to read via The American Legion's Planned Giving program, a way of establishing your legacy of support for the organization while providing for your current financial needs.

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