RMDs at 73 Can Raise Taxes on Social Security Benefits in 2026
Updated
Updated · The Motley Fool · May 23
RMDs at 73 Can Raise Taxes on Social Security Benefits in 2026
2 articles · Updated · The Motley Fool · May 23
Taxpayers turning 73 in 2026 must take required minimum distributions from tax-deferred retirement accounts, and those withdrawals can increase the share of Social Security benefits subject to federal tax.
A $100,000 traditional IRA would require about a $3,774 withdrawal at age 73, and RMDs generally count toward adjusted gross income, which feeds into the provisional income formula used to tax benefits.
Federal taxes can hit benefits once provisional income exceeds $25,000 for single filers or $32,000 for married couples, with higher tiers at $34,000 and $44,000; those thresholds are not indexed to inflation.
Roth accounts are exempt from RMDs, and current 401(k)s are also exempt if the worker still has the job and owns less than 5% of the company.
Retirees who do not need the cash may still need to reserve part of the withdrawal for taxes or ask Social Security to withhold from monthly checks, with any excess returned in a 2026 refund.