The Ongoing SECURE Saga: IRS Grants Further Delayed Required Minimum Distribution Relief

The Treasury Department ("Treasury") and the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") recently issued Announcement 2026-7, further delaying the effective date for certain required minimum distribution ("RMD") regulations issued under the SECURE Act of 2019 and SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022. This delay aims to provide sufficient time for (1) the IRS to address concerns raised by commentators to the proposed regulations, and (2) retirement plans to implement the final regulations.

As a refresher, prior to the SECURE Act, participants were generally required to begin RMDs at age 70½ and many designated beneficiaries could "stretch" distributions over their life expectancy. The SECURE Act made to primary changes: (1) increased the RMD age from 70½ to 72, and (2) eliminated the lifetime "stretch" for most non-spouse beneficiaries, replacing it with a 10-year distribution rule.