Navigating Complex Required Withdrawals from Retirement Accounts Under New Rules

Financial advisers are facing challenges in explaining the changes to the laws on required minimum distributions (RMDs) from retirement plans to their clients. The rules surrounding RMDs have become more complex due to recent legislation, including the Secure Act 1.0 and Secure Act 2.0. Confusion arises from the changes in the RMD age, with clients unsure if it is 70.5, 72, or 73. The IRS has released notices providing relief, but this has added to the confusion. The penalties for mistakes in RMD withdrawals are significant, and the rules for calculating RMDs are intricate. The key rule for 2023 is that if you were born in 1950 or earlier, you must take RMDs this year, while those born in 1951 or later do not have to. The rules for inherited accounts and Roth accounts are also complex.