Delaying Your First RMD? Here's Why That Move Could Backfire.

By Maurie Backman – Apr 16, 2026 at 1:18PM ESTKey PointsYour first RMD can be delayed until Apr. 1 of the following year.Doing so means having to take two RMDs in the same calendar year.That could create a tax headache and result in other unwanted consequencesThere are benefits to saving for retirement in a traditional 401(k) or IRA -- namely, the fact that you get to contribute pre-tax dollars, and that gains in your account are tax-deferred. But these accounts come with a major drawback later on -- required minimum distributions, or RMDs. RMDs begin at age 73 or 75, depending on your year of birth. And they could drive up your taxes substantially during retirement. Image source: Getty Images. RMDs are typically due by Dec. 31 each year. But there's an exception when it's your first one. You're allowed to delay your initial RMD to April 1 of the year following your 73rd or 75th birthday (whichever year RMDs start for you). That gives you a little more leeway, which probably sounds like a win. But you should know that delaying your first RMD could come with an unexpected downside. Why delaying your first RMD isn't necessarily a smart move At first, a delayed RMD might sound great. You get to keep your money in your IRA or 401(k) for longer, allowing it to grow a bit more on a tax-deferred basis. But one thing you should know is that if you delay your first RMD until the following April, you'll still have to take your second RMD by Dec. 31 of that same calendar year. In other words, you'll be required to take two distributions in the same year, which could lead to a pretty notable tax bill. The impact doesn't necessarily stop there, though. Not only are RMDs taxable, but they could drive your income up to the point where there are other consequences. For one thing, whether you're taxed on your Social Security benefits or not hinges on your adjusted gross income (AGI). RMDs count toward your AGI. If you have to take two of them within the same year, you increase the risk of having to pay taxes on Social Security benefits, since the thresholds at which those taxes apply are pretty low. Granted, the new $6,000 senior tax deduction may give you a little more leeway with those taxes. But if your RMDs are sizable and you have two to take in one year, you should prepare to see your Social Security benefits taxed. Secondly, if having to take two RMDs in the same year raises your AGI substantially, you could be looking at surcharges on your Medicare premiums. Higher-income enrollees have to pay income-related monthly adjustment amounts, or IRMAAs, which apply to both Medicare Part B and Part D. Now the thresholds at which IRMAAs take effect are higher than the thresholds for taxes on Social Security benefits. But if you're looking at large RMDs, you can't write off IRMAAs -- especially if you have to take two mandatory withdrawals in the same year. Careful planning is key For some retirees, Roth conversions ahead of RMD age are a great way to avoid those mandatory withdrawals. But those aren't always easy to pull off, since they're a taxable event. In doing conversions, you could end up swapping a future tax burden for one you have to deal with sooner. If you're stuck taking RMDs, it's important to plan for them carefully so you don't end up with a larger financial headache than anticipated. Get an estimate of your first and second RMD, and see what the impact might be by taking both in the same year. You may realize that taking your first RMD the year you turn 73 or 75 is a smarter move, even if it means facing a tax bill sooner and losing out on a few months of tax-deferred growth in your retirement account.Read NextApr 16, 2026 •By Maurie BackmanThe Hidden Cost of Roth Conversions No One Talks About Until It's Too LateApr 16, 2026 •By Kailey Hagen, CFPWhat Social Security Pays at 62 -- and What to Do Before You Claim to Maximize That AmountApr 16, 2026 •By Motley Fool YouTubeHow Charitable Remainder Trusts Turn Appreciated Assets Into Lifetime Income and a Tax-Smart GiftApr 16, 2026 •By Maurie BackmanSocial Security: The Little-Known Move That Could Boost Your Lifetime BenefitsApr 15, 2026 •By Maurie BackmanWorried About Running Out of Money in Retirement? 5 Steps to Reduce the Risk.Apr 15, 2026 •By Maurie BackmanThink a Larger Social Security COLA in 2027's a Sure Thing? Here's the Truth.About the AuthorMaurie Backman is a contributing Motley Fool retirement and Social Security expert with more than a decade of experience writing about personal finance, investing, and retirement planning. Maurie previously worked in finance analyzing distressed companies. She studied finance at Binghamton University.TMFBookNerd