Charles Schwab and IRS Guidance Detail New RMD Rules for Retirement Accounts in 2026
According to guidance from Charles Schwab and the IRS, new rules under the SECURE 2.0 Act will alter the starting age for Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) from retirement accounts in 2026. Individuals born between 1951 and 1959 will begin their RMDs at age 73, while those born in 1960 or later will start at age 75. Additionally, Roth 401(k) and Roth 403(b) accounts will no longer require lifetime RMDs, effective 2024. The first RMD is due by April 1 of the year following the individual's starting age, with subsequent RMDs due by December 31. A key point of caution is that delaying the first withdrawal until April 1 can result in two RMDs in the same calendar year, potentially increasing taxable income and pushing individuals into a higher tax bracket. The amount of the RMD is calculated annually by dividing the prior year-end balance of traditional retirement accounts by a life-expectancy factor from the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table. 
