Definition
6-months after the 70th anniversary of an individual’s date-of-birth.
The significance of age 70 ½ is that, for IRA owners and plan participants who reached age 70 1/2 before 2020, the individual’s required beginning date is April 1, of the year that follows the year in which the individual reaches age 70 ½ , unless a permissible exception applies.
The SECURE Act of 2019 increased the age to 72. And SECURE Act 2.0 increased it further. See applicable RMD age.
Referring Cite
Treas. Reg. 1.401(a)(9)-2, Q&A 3
Additional Helpful Information
An individual attains age 70½ as of the date six calendar months after the 70th anniversary of the individual’s birth. For example, if an individual’s date of birth was June 30, 1948, the 70th anniversary of such individual’s birth is June 30, 2018.
Such individual attains age 70½ on December 30, 2018. Consequently, if the individual is a 5–percent owner or retired, such individual’s required beginning date is April 1, 2019. However, if the individual’s date of birth was July 1, 1948, the 70th anniversary of such individual’s birth would be July 1, 2018. Such individual would then attain age 70½ on January 1, 2019 and such individual required beginning date would be April 1, 2020. (Treas. Reg. 1.401(a)(9)-2, Q&A 3).
