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Quick answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What's an RMD or mandatory IRA withdrawal?

Depending on your date of birth, the IRS requires you to take money out of most types of retirement accounts. These mandatory withdrawals are called required minimum distributions (RMDs). Note: The RMD age changed from 70½ to 72 when the SECURE Act passed in 2019. If you turned 70½ before 2020, you may be subject to RMDs. If you turned 70½ in 2020 or beyond, your RMDs begin at age 72.

When do I take my first RMD?

The RMD age changed from 70½ to 72 when the SECURE Act passed in 2019. Once you reach your RMD age (either age 70½ or age 72, depending on your date of birth) you'll need to take your RMDs by December 31st every year. There is an exemption to this rule in the first year: you have the option to wait until April 1st the following year to take your first RMD. Though if you do wait, you'll have to take your first and second RMD in the same year.

What happens if I don't take my RMD?

If you don't take the full amount of your RMD, you may be liable for an IRS penalty of up to 50% of the portion of the RMD that was not withdrawn. If you’ve already scheduled or taken the full amount of your RMD at another financial institution, you don't need to withdraw additional funds from your Schwab IRA(s).

Which retirement accounts are subject to RMDs?

You must take an RMD for these types of retirement accounts:

IRAs (Individual Retirement Accounts)

• Traditional
• Rollover
• Inherited
• SEP (Simplified Employee Pension)
• SIMPLE (Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees)

Qualified Retirement Plans¹ (QRPs)

• QRP/Keogh
• Individual 401(k)
• 403(b)(7)

Are Roth IRAs subject to RMDs?

Generally, no, you don't need to take an RMD for a Roth IRA unless you inherited one.

Is an inherited IRA/beneficiary IRA subject to RMDs?

Because the SECURE Act changed the laws regarding inherited IRAs, people will generally fall under one of two rules. Those under the old rules may be required to take RMDs from inherited IRAs. Those under the new 10-year rule may not have an annual RMD. We recommend consulting with your tax or financial advisor, as these new rules can be complex.

Who falls under the old rules for inherited IRA distributions?

If the IRA owner passed away before 2020, you will likely fall under the old distribution rules. Certain eligible designated beneficiaries can also fall under the old distribution rules. We recommend consulting with your tax or financial advisor to determine which distribution rules apply in your situation.

Who are eligible designated beneficiaries?

• Surviving spouses 
• Minor children up to age of majority 
• Disabled individuals—under strict IRS rules 
• Chronically-ill individuals 
• Individuals no more than 10 years younger than the IRA owner, such as siblings near the same age

Who's subject to the 10-year rule for inherited IRAs and how does it work?

If you are not an eligible designated beneficiary, or you inherited the IRA after 12/31/2019, you fall under the new 10-year distribution rules. Which means you can distribute the assets any way you want, as long as all the assets have been distributed before the end of the 10th year. There's no annual RMD under the 10-year rule. If you fail to distribute all of the assets after the 10th year, those assets will be subject to a 50% penalty, or excise tax.

Which calculator do I use if I inherited an IRA from my spouse?

You can use the Traditional IRA calculator if you've inherited an IRA from a spouse.

How is my RMD calculated?

The amount of your RMD is usually determined by the fair market value (FMV) of your IRA as of December 31 of the previous year, factored by your age and your life expectancy using the uniform life expectancy method. Sometimes FMV and RMD calculations need to be adjusted after December 31. If you had a transfer or rollover to your Schwab retirement account(s), a conversion from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA and back, or any correction for security price after year-end, please call us at 877-298-8010 so we can recalculate your RMD.

Can I take more than the minimum IRA withdrawal after age 59 ½?

Yes, you can withdraw more than the RMD from your IRAs without IRS penalty. Remember, these withdrawals will generally be taxable as ordinary income and won't satisfy your RMD requirements in future years. We recommend consulting with your tax advisor.

Do I have to pay taxes on my RMD from a tax-deferred account?

The total amount of your RMD is generally taxed as ordinary income at your personal federal income tax rate. State taxes may also apply. Your tax liability and any tax withholding you elect are based on your home (legal) address.

Can I reinvest my RMD back into a tax-advantaged retirement account?

No, RMDs can't be reinvested back into an IRA or 401(k), or rolled into another tax-favored retirement account. So, if you don't need it for living expenses, what can you do? Invest it in a taxable brokerage account. Save it in a bank account. Donate to a charity. Contact us for ideas suited to your needs.