By Matthew J. Renaud Sr., ChFC®, President and Founder, Renaud & Company Registered Investment Advisors, a fiduciary RIA, who has served clients since 1998. Tax preparation is available through Renaud Tax & Accounting LLC, a CPA-led tax firm led by Jeannie Renaud, CPA, a separate firm in the same office. Information as of November 2026.
Quick answer: Required minimum distributions (RMDs) generally begin at age 73 if you were born from 1951 through 1959, and at age 75 if you were born in 1960 or later. Your first RMD is due by April 1 of the year after you reach the starting age, later ones by December 31, and a missed RMD can trigger a 25% excise tax that drops to 10% if corrected promptly. For retirees in O’Fallon and St. Charles County, planning before the first RMD can help keep the tax bill and Medicare premiums in view.
Which accounts have RMDs
- Traditional IRAs, SEP IRAs, and SIMPLE IRAs
- Employer plans such as 401(k) and 403(b) accounts (if you are still working, many plans let you delay until you retire, unless you own 5% or more of the business)
- Not Roth IRAs for the original owner, and not designated Roth accounts in employer plans
How the amount is calculated
Your RMD is generally your account balance on December 31 of the prior year divided by a distribution period from an IRS table. You can always take more than the minimum. IRA owners can total their IRA RMDs and withdraw from any IRA, but each 401(k) is generally calculated and taken separately.
The first-year trap
If you wait until April 1 of the following year for your first RMD, you will take two RMDs that year, and both count as income in the same tax year. Some people take the first RMD in the year they reach the age instead, to spread the income across two years.
Taxes and penalties
RMDs are taxed as ordinary income, and Missouri generally taxes them too. If you take less than required, the excise tax is 25% of the shortfall, reduced to 10% if you correct it within the IRS window. You file Form 5329 to report it.
Ways to plan ahead
- Roth conversions in earlier years may reduce the pre-tax balance that drives future RMDs.
- Qualified charitable distributions. At 70½ or older, a QCD directly from an IRA to a charity (up to $111,000 in 2026) can satisfy part or all of an RMD without adding to taxable income.
- Withholding or estimated taxes. Set aside tax on the distribution.
- Medicare. RMD income counts toward IRMAA, which looks back two years.
Renaud & Company Registered Investment Advisors can build an RMD schedule across your accounts. Tax questions can be taken to Renaud Tax & Accounting LLC, a CPA-led tax firm led by Jeannie Renaud, CPA, a separate firm with its own engagement and fees.
Frequently asked questions
Is the RMD age 73 or 75?
It depends on your birth year. Age 73 applies if you were born from 1951 through 1959. Age 75 applies if you were born in 1960 or later.
What is the penalty for missing an RMD?
The excise tax is 25% of the amount not withdrawn. It is reduced to 10% if you correct the shortfall within the IRS correction window.
Do Roth IRAs have RMDs?
Not for the original owner. Designated Roth accounts in employer plans also no longer require RMDs during the owner’s lifetime.
Can I take my RMD from just one IRA?
If you own several traditional IRAs, you can calculate each RMD and withdraw the total from any one or more of them. Employer plans are generally calculated and taken separately.
Questions about your own situation? Meet with Renaud & Company Registered Investment Advisors virtually from anywhere, or in person at 2112 Bryan Valley Commercial Drive, O'Fallon, MO 63366. Call (636) 240-5055 or email info@renaudco.com.
Educational purposes only. This article is general information, not individualized investment, tax, or legal advice. Rules and figures are as of November 2026 and can change; confirm them before acting. Renaud & Company, LLC is a registered investment adviser; registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Neither Renaud & Company, LLC nor its advisors provide tax or legal advice. Renaud Tax & Accounting LLC is a separate CPA-led tax firm with separate engagements and fees. Some of our advisors may earn commissions on certain insurance products; we explain how we are paid before you decide. Our Form ADV Part 2A and Form CRS are available at adviserinfo.sec.gov or on request. All investing involves risk, including loss of principal.