RMDs Can Crush Your Benefits | Durham News

At 73, pulling money from your traditional IRA isn’t optional—it’s mandatory. RMDs force annual withdrawals that count as taxable income, potentially triggering higher Social Security taxes and Medicare surcharges based on past income. A $19K IRA withdrawal could push you over thresholds, making half your Social Security taxable. Worse, IRMAA penalties kick in two years later. The fix? Convert part of your IRA to a Roth before RMDs start—you shrink the taxable pot. And if you’re 72+, use QCDs to donate directly to charity: it satisfies your RMD without boosting your taxable income. Don’t ignore this tax bomb—financial pros say it’s malpractice to overlook it. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: [email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting. Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates: https://sources.thednn.ai/4f4e34135800d0a8