RMD Rules for Older Workers
Still working beyond age 70? Some people can avoid taking required minimum distributions from their retirement accounts; others can’t. Here’s the distinction.
I am self-employed and plan to work for many years at age 70. Do I have to take required minimum distributions from my solo 401(k) while I’m still working, or can I delay taking withdrawals until after I retire?
Even though you can usually delay taking required minimum distributions from an employer’s 401(k) while you’re still working at that job, the rules are different for business owners: You can’t delay taking the RMDs if you own 5% or more of a business. You’ll need to start taking RMDs after age 70½.
If you had a Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) or SIMPLE IRA instead, you’d still have to take RMDs at 70½. Those accounts follow the rules for traditional IRAs, which are subject to required minimum distributions after age 70½, whether or not you are still working.
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For more information about the RMD start dates, see this IRS Fact Sheet. You can also get more information from our special report on required minimum distributions.
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As the "Ask Kim" columnist for Kiplinger's Personal Finance, Lankford receives hundreds of personal finance questions from readers every month. She is the author of Rescue Your Financial Life (McGraw-Hill, 2003), The Insurance Maze: How You Can Save Money on Insurance -- and Still Get the Coverage You Need (Kaplan, 2006), Kiplinger's Ask Kim for Money Smart Solutions (Kaplan, 2007) and The Kiplinger/BBB Personal Finance Guide for Military Families. She is frequently featured as a financial expert on television and radio, including NBC's Today Show, CNN, CNBC and National Public Radio.
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