How the first RMD works
Under SECURE 2.0, people born from 1951 to 1959 start RMDs in the year they turn 73. Born in 1953 means you turn 73 in 2026, so 2026 is your first “distribution year”.
- Balance on December 31, 2025: $1,000,000.
- Age reached in 2026: 73.
- Uniform Lifetime Table divisor at 73: 26.5.
- RMD: $1,000,000 ÷ 26.5 = $37,735.85 (about 3.77% of the account, roughly $3,145 a month).
The April 1 option — and why it can backfire
For the first year only, you may wait until April 1, 2027 to take the 2026 RMD. Sounds handy. The catch: your 2027 RMD is still due by December 31, 2027. Wait, and you take two RMDs in 2027, both taxed in the same year.
| Plan | Taxed in 2026 | Taxed in 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Take the 2026 RMD in 2026 | $37,735.85 | 2027 RMD only |
| Wait until early 2027 | $0 | $37,735.85 + the 2027 RMD |
The 2027 RMD will be your December 31, 2026 balance ÷ 25.5. If the account were still $1,000,000 then, that is $39,215.69 — so waiting would put about $76,950 of RMDs into 2027.
Bunching two withdrawals into one year can push you into a higher bracket and can raise your Medicare premiums two years later (IRMAA). Waiting can still make sense if your 2026 income is unusually high and 2027 will be lower — it is worth a quick look with your tax preparer.
Nearby balances for a first RMD at 73
| Balance on Dec 31, 2025 | 2026 RMD (÷ 26.5) | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| $250,000 | $9,433.96 | $786 |
| $500,000 | $18,867.92 | $1,572 |
| $750,000 | $28,301.89 | $2,358 |
| $1,000,000 | $37,735.85 | $3,145 |
| $1,500,000 | $56,603.77 | $4,717 |
| $2,000,000 | $75,471.70 | $6,289 |
Not 73 yet?
Born in 1960 or later? Your RMD age is 75, so your first RMD year is 2035 or later. Type your year of birth into the calculator to see your own start year. And if you are still working and the money is in your current employer’s 401(k), that plan’s RMDs can wait until you retire (IRAs cannot).
Small steps that help
- Ask your custodian whether they can calculate and pay the RMD automatically.
- Keep your December 31 statements — every future RMD starts from one.
- If you have several IRAs, add their RMDs together and take the total from any of them.
Will the RMD drain my account?
Usually not quickly. At 73 you take about 3.8% a year, and many balanced portfolios earn something close to that over time. The percentage rises slowly with age — about 5% at 80 and 8.2% at 90 — so the account tends to last well into your later years. The projection table in the calculator shows the next ten years with a growth rate you choose. Change the growth figure to see a more cautious or a more hopeful path.
FAQ
What is my first RMD on $1,000,000 at 73?
$1,000,000 ÷ 26.5 = $37,735.85 for 2026.
When is the first RMD due if I was born in 1953?
By April 1, 2027 at the latest. Taking it by December 31, 2026 avoids having two RMDs taxed in 2027.
What is the first RMD on $500,000 at 73?
$500,000 ÷ 26.5 = $18,867.92.
Sources: Treas. Reg. §1.401(a)(9)-9 as amended by T.D. 9930 (Federal Register, 12 Nov 2020) — govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2020-11-12/html/2020-24723.htm; IRS Publication 590-B (2025 returns) — irs.gov/publications/p590b; IRS news release IR-2024-309 (25%/10% excise tax, April 1 rule); SECURE 2.0 Act §§107, 302, 325. Joint-table excerpt cross-checked against two published copies of Table II. Checked 5 November 2026.