New RMD Rules: Starting Age, Penalties, Roth 401(k)s, and More

The SECURE 2.0 Act makes major changes to rules for required minimum distributions (RMDs).

white and black sign saying new rules
(Image credit: Getty Images)

If you’ve retired and reached a certain age, you must withdraw required minimum distributions (RMDs) from your retirement savings plan to meet your tax obligations.

In case you missed it, the SECURE Act 2.0 of 2022 changed RMD rules, offering more than a handful of provisions that simplify retirees' taxes — with more benefits to be added through 2033.

It wasn't all that long ago that the retirement-savings landscape was shaken up. This past decade, the original SECURE Act made waves by extending the age at which you must start taking RMDs from 70½ to 72. However, many lawmakers felt this adjustment didn't go far enough.

So, Congress began planning additional legislation to help more people save for retirement and hold on to their money longer. Those efforts resulted in the Biden administration’s SECURE 2.0 Act.

For retirees, understanding these new changes is crucial, particularly if you're concerned about RMDs from your traditional IRAs, 401(k)s, and other qualified retirement savings accounts.

The latest changes will reshape how many approach retirement savings and distributions. Here are six rules you don’t want to miss when planning your RMDs for 2025.

Rocky Mengle was a Senior Tax Editor for Kiplinger from October 2018 to January 2023 with more than 20 years of experience covering federal and state tax developments. Before coming to Kiplinger, Rocky worked for Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting, and Kleinrock Publishing, where he provided breaking news and guidance for CPAs, tax attorneys, and other tax professionals. He has also been quoted as an expert by USA Today, Forbes, U.S. News & World Report, Reuters, Accounting Today, and other media outlets. Rocky holds a law degree from the University of Connecticut and a B.A. in History from Salisbury University.