Tip of the Month | January 2026
Confirm Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) Strategy for the New Year
Written By: Ryan Rink, CFP®, EA, ChFC®, CLTC®
Planning your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) strategy for the new year helps ensure compliance with IRS rules and avoids unnecessary penalties. For 2026, RMDs are required from qualified retirement accounts if you will be age 73 by year-end. You may also make gifts to qualified charities directly from your IRA through Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs), which count toward your RMD and can help reduce taxable income. Coordinating RMDs and QCDs with other income sources can improve cash flow, enhance tax efficiency, and provide added peace of mind.