Required Minimum Distributions Fact Sheet - UC 403(b), 457(b), and DC Plans - Key RMD Rules - Dates, Penalties, and Calculation

Sep 19, 2026

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Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) are mandatory withdrawals required by the IRS and UC’s Retirement Savings Program once you reach age 73 and are no longer working at UC. RMDs apply separately to each eligible plan and cannot be rolled over to other tax-deferred accounts. First RMDs are due by April 1 of the following year, with subsequent RMDs due by December 31. The document explains the severe 50% penalty for missing RMDs, how the RMD is calculated using IRS life-expectancy factors, and how UC and Fidelity may automatically process RMDs, including scheduling and tax withholding options.

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Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)

Eligibility and plan-by-plan requirements

RMD age change and exclusions

Key dates for first and subsequent RMDs

Penalty for not taking an RMD

How RMD amounts are determined

Uniform Lifetime Table and joint life expectancy rule

Automatic processing and when to contact Fidelity

Scheduling automatic withdrawal payments (AWP)

Tax withholding rules

Uniform Lifetime Table

Retirement Savings Program Required Minimum Distributions Fact Sheet The 403(b), 457(b), and DC Plans What are required minimum distributions (RMDs)? Once you reach age 73* and are no longer working at UC, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and UC’s Retirement Savings Program require you to start withdrawing money from your tax-deferred retirement savings plan(s), such as UC’s 403(b), 457(b) and DC Pre-Tax Plans. These mandatory withdrawals are known as "required minimum distributions"(or sometimes MRDs—"minimum required distributions") . Required minimum distributions (RMDs) apply to all of UC's plans, and you must satisfy the requirements for each plan separately. Distributions from one plan do not satisfy the requirements for another plan, and RMDs are not eligible for rollover to other tax-deferred accounts. Further, distributions from an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) or any other non-UC plans that you might have do not satisfy the requirements for the UC plans. *The change in the RMDs age requirement from 72 to 73 applies only to individuals who turn 72 on or after January 1, 2023. After you reach age 73, the IRS generally requires you to withdraw an RMD annually from your tax-advantaged retirement accounts (excluding Roth IRAs, and Roth accounts in employer retirement plans accounts after December 31, 2023) . Please speak with your tax advisor regarding the impact of this change on future RMDs. What are the dates for my first and subsequent RMDs? Your first RMD must be withdrawn by April 1 of the year following the year you turn age 73 or leave UC employment (whichever is later) . All subsequent RMDs must be received by December 31 of each year. Once you begin receiving your RMD, you must continue to receive an RMD each year, even if you return to work at UC. If you are age 73 or older and did not work for UC through the end of the calendar year, you are required to take your RMD. What if Idon’t take my RMD? The penalty for not taking your RMD is severe: If you don’t receive a distribution that satisfies the requirements, you must pay the IRS an additional nondeductible 50% tax on the amount that you should have received. How is my RMD determined? The amount of your RMD is calculated by dividing your previous year-end plan balance by an IRS factor based on your life expectancy. For your calculation each year, the IRS factor corresponding to your age on your birthday in that year is applied. For instance, if you turn age 73 in August, the calculation for your RMD that year will be based on the factor corresponding to age 73. EXAMPLE $100,000 ÷ 26.5 = $3,773.58 RMDs must be calculated using the Uniform Lifetime Table (see table on page 2), unless your sole primary beneficiary for the entire tax year is your spouse who is more than 10 years younger than you. In this case, the Joint Life Expectancy Table can be used (resulting in a longer distribution period) . [myUCretirement.com](myUCretirement.com | Get help: 866.682.7787 01)[ |](myUCretirement.com | Get help: 866.682.7787 01)[ Get help: 866.682.7787 ](myUCretirement.com | Get help: 866.682.7787 01)~~[ ](myUCretirement.com | Get help: 866.682.7787 01)~~[ 01](myUCretirement.com | Get help: 866.682.7787 01) Your RMD will be automatically processed To ensure UC's plan participants are compliant, UC’s Plan record keeper (Fidelity® Retirement Services) determines if you are still actively employed and paid by the University based on transmitted payroll status information from UC in December of each year. If you are over age 73 and not shown as active and paid by UC, then Fidelity will automatically issue your first year RMD by mid-March of the following year (as described above). If you are subject to a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) the year in which you separate from UC and elect a rollover of all or a portion of your retirement savings account balance, a taxable distribution equal to the RMD amount will be issue

FAQs

When do RMDs start and who must begin withdrawals?

After you reach age 73 and are no longer working at UC, the IRS and UC’s Retirement Savings Program require you to start withdrawing from your tax-deferred retirement plan(s). RMDs apply to eligible UC plans and must be satisfied for each plan separately.

What are the deadlines for the first and later RMDs?

Your first RMD must be withdrawn by April 1 of the year following the year you turn age 73 or leave UC employment (whichever is later). All subsequent RMDs must be received by December 31 each year, even if you return to work at UC.

How is an RMD calculated and what table is generally used?

The RMD is calculated by dividing your previous year-end plan balance by an IRS factor based on your life expectancy. Calculations generally use the Uniform Lifetime Table, unless your sole primary beneficiary is your spouse and is more than 10 years younger, in which case the Joint Life Expectancy Table can be used.

Sep 19, 2026

Upload by Violet