For people 60 and over with $100,000 or more in an IRA, 401(k), 403(b) or TSP
At 73, the IRS starts deciding how much comes out of your IRA. Every year after, it takes a bigger share.
Whether you need the money or not. Taxed on top of everything else you get. Able to pull your Social Security into tax and raise your Medicare bill two years later. Here is what that looks like in real numbers, every one of them sourced.
Dear saver,
For thirty or forty years you did what you were told. You put money into a 401(k) or an IRA, skipped the tax on it, and let it grow.
That tax was never cancelled. It was postponed. And you don’t get to pick the date it comes due. The IRS does.
For most people retiring now, that date is age 73.1 If you were born in 1960 or later, it’s age 75.2 From then on, you must take a minimum amount out of your pre-tax accounts every single year. Whether you need the money or not.
The forced amount grows every year
The IRS divides your December 31 balance by a number from its Uniform Lifetime Table. That number shrinks as you age, so the share you’re forced to take grows.3 On a $1,000,000 IRA:
Simple illustration: $1,000,000 divided by the IRS Table III factor at each age, balance held the same for comparison. Your real figure depends on your balance each December 31, and whether your spouse is more than 10 years younger.
It can drag your Social Security into tax with it
That withdrawal is added to your taxable income for the year,1 on top of your Social Security, your pension, your interest.
Here’s the part most people never see coming. The IRS adds half your Social Security to your other income. For a married couple, once that total passes $44,000, up to 85% of your Social Security can be taxed.7
So one forced withdrawal can be taxed itself, and pull more of your Social Security into tax behind it.
The year one of you is left alone
This is the hardest part to write about, and the part that costs the most.
After the year a spouse dies, most survivors file as single.8 One of the two Social Security checks stops.9 But the IRA is usually still there, and so is the required withdrawal. Roughly the same income now meets lines that are half as high:
| Married | Survivor, single | |
|---|---|---|
| 22% bracket starts above | $100,800 | $50,400 |
| Standard deduction | $32,200 | $16,100 |
| Up to 85% of Social Security taxed above | $44,000 | $34,000 |
| Medicare surcharge starts above | $218,000 | $109,000 |
2026 figures from the IRS67 and CMS.4 A surviving spouse with a dependent child may qualify for joint rates for two more years.8
It’s often called the widow’s penalty, and most couples don’t hear about it until one of them is living it.
So what can you do about it?
There are options for this most people are never shown. Not by their bank, not by their 401(k) website.
Whether any of them fit you depends on your numbers. A free 15-minute call can tell you. No statements needed. If what you have is already working, we’ll tell you.
Who this is for, and who it isn’t
A good fit if you…
- Are 60 or older, retired or getting close.
- Have $100,000 or more in a traditional IRA, 401(k), 403(b), TSP or similar pre-tax account.
- Have other income too, like Social Security, a pension or rental income.
Probably not for you if…
- Your pre-tax savings are under $100,000.
- Most of your money is already in Roth accounts.
- You want tax filing help. That’s your CPA’s job.
Common questions
When do my required withdrawals start?
The IRS says age 73 for most people retiring now, and age 75 if you were born in 1960 or later. If you were born in 1959, check with your tax professional; the IRS’s 2024 proposed rules treat it as 73. You can delay the first one to April 1 of the next year, but then you take two in one year.
How does this touch Medicare?
Most people pay the standard Part B premium: $202.90 a month in 2026. Above $109,000 for a single filer or $218,000 for a married couple filing jointly, it starts at $284.10 a month; the top tier is $689.90.4 Social Security sets that surcharge from your tax return two years earlier.5 A big withdrawal this year can show up as a bigger Medicare bill two years from now.
What if I miss a required withdrawal?
The IRS can charge an excise tax of 25% of the amount you missed. It drops to 10% if you fix it within two years.1 That’s on top of the regular income tax, which you still owe when you take it.
What are the deadlines this year?
Turning 73 this year (born in 1953)? Your first required withdrawal is for 2026. You can wait until April 1, 2027, but then you take two in 2027, both on one tax return. Already taking them? This year’s is due by December 31, 2026.1
Do Roth IRAs have required withdrawals?
Not for the original owner while they’re alive. Traditional IRAs, SEP and SIMPLE IRAs, 401(k)s, 403(b)s and similar plans do.
What happens on the 15-minute call?
It’s by phone and takes 15 minutes. No statements needed; round numbers are fine. You’ll see roughly what your required withdrawals look like and whether any options are worth a closer look. No pressure. If what you have is already working, we’ll tell you.
What kind of options are we talking about?
Options discussed may include insurance products such as fixed or fixed indexed annuities. Your specialist is a licensed insurance professional.
Is this tax advice?
No. This page is educational only, not tax or legal advice. The specialist is a licensed insurance agent, not a CPA. Talk to your CPA or tax professional before acting on anything about taxes.
Is this a sales call?
No. The estimate is free and the 15-minute call is free. You are never required to buy anything.
Who will I talk to?
A licensed insurance agent in your state. The agent is independent, not an employee of this website.
See your estimated required withdrawal
Five quick questions. Round numbers only, no account details. Your number shows on screen.
How old are you?
Roughly how much is in pre-tax retirement accounts?
Traditional IRAs, 401(k), 403(b), TSP. Not Roth accounts.
About how much other income do you have each year?
Social Security, pensions, work, rentals. Before tax, for your household.
How do you file your taxes?
Would you be open to a free 15-minute call to go over your number?
By phone. No statements needed. No pressure. You’ll see your number either way.
Where should we send your number?
It’s ready now. We’ll also show it on the next screen.
Preview note: consent wording reused from the existing YRSO pages. Pending compliance review.
Sources and notes
- IRS, Retirement plan and IRA required minimum distributions FAQs (page last reviewed January 29, 2026): withdrawals generally must start at age 73; the first is due by April 1 of the year after you reach that age and later ones by December 31 each year; withdrawals are included in taxable income except any part already taxed; the amount not withdrawn may be subject to an excise tax of 25%, or 10% if timely corrected within two years. https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/retirement-plan-and-ira-required-minimum-distributions-faqs
- IRS, Internal Revenue Bulletin 2024-33, T.D. 10001 (SECURE 2.0 Act section 107): applicable age is 73 for people born January 1, 1951 through December 31, 1958, and 75 for people born on or after January 1, 1960. https://www.irs.gov/irb/2024-33_IRB
- IRS Publication 590-B (2025), Appendix B, Table III (Uniform Lifetime Table) (page last reviewed April 30, 2026): factor 26.5 at age 73, 24.6 at 75, 20.2 at 80, 16.0 at 85, 12.2 at 90. Dollar figures and percentages are our arithmetic ($1,000,000 ÷ factor), rounded. Use a different table if your spouse is your sole beneficiary and more than 10 years younger. https://www.irs.gov/publications/p590b
- CMS, 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles fact sheet: standard Part B premium $202.90 a month; income-related amounts start above $109,000 (individual) and $218,000 (married filing jointly), with total monthly premiums of $284.10, $405.80, $527.50, $649.20 and $689.90 by tier. https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2026-medicare-parts-b-premiums-deductibles
- Social Security Administration, Form SSA-44 and Medicare premium guidance: the income-related monthly adjustment amount is based on modified adjusted gross income from your tax return two years before the premium year (2024 income for 2026 premiums). https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-44.pdf
- IRS, IR-2025-103 (October 9, 2025), tax inflation adjustments for tax year 2026: standard deduction $32,200 married filing jointly, $16,100 single; 22% rate applies to taxable income over $100,800 (married filing jointly) and $50,400 (single). https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-releases-tax-inflation-adjustments-for-tax-year-2026-including-amendments-from-the-one-big-beautiful-bill
- IRS Publication 915 (2025), Social Security and Equivalent Railroad Retirement Benefits: up to 85% of benefits can be taxable when half your benefits plus your other income is more than $34,000 ($44,000 if married filing jointly). https://www.irs.gov/publications/p915
- IRS Publication 501 (2025): if your spouse died during the year you can file jointly for that year, and the year of death is the last year you can file jointly with your deceased spouse; the qualifying surviving spouse status for the following 2 years requires a dependent child. https://www.irs.gov/publications/p501
- Social Security Administration, What you could get from Survivor benefits (accessed October 8, 2026): if you’re eligible for Survivor and another benefit, you choose the payment that’s best for you; the payments won’t be added together. https://www.ssa.gov/survivor/amount
Educational only, not tax or legal advice. Rules for required withdrawals, taxes and Medicare premiums change, and your situation has details this page can’t see. Confirm anything about your own taxes with your CPA or tax professional.
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Video: 60–75s “what your withdrawal number means” from your specialist — HeyGen clone
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Placeholder frame · not recorded yetWhat to have handy
None of it is required. Round numbers are fine.
- Your latest IRA, 401(k), 403(b) or TSP statement, or just a rough total.
- Last year’s tax return, or just the total income line, if you know it.
- Your Medicare premium notice, if you’re already on Medicare.
- Your spouse or partner, if they share decisions about this money.
- Your questions. Write them down so none get missed.
This is not a high-pressure sales call. Kyle will walk through roughly what your required withdrawals look like. If what you have is already working, he’ll tell you. Anything about your taxes, confirm with your CPA.
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