Retirement planning in 2026 centers on SECURE 2.0 implementation and new IRS limits that change who pays taxes, when withdrawals start and how much savers can put away this year.
Congress’ SECURE 2.0 law and subsequent IRS guidance mean required minimum distributions generally still begin at age 73 in 2026, with the law phasing the RMD starting age up to 75 later this decade, according to a SECURE 2.0 summary and multiple IRS notices.
The IRS published its 2026 limits and notices showing higher plan contribution ceilings for the year, including increased 401(k) limits, which advisers say will give many workers more room to save, per the IRS bulletin and a 2026 limits roundup.
The SECURE 2.0 changes taking effect in 2026 also include new rules on catch-up and Roth treatment: higher-earners’ catch-up contributions for those 50-plus must be made to Roth accounts starting in 2026 under finalized regulations, and Roth balances will be excluded from RMD calculations beginning January 1, 2027, according to Ameritas and IRS guidance summaries.
Practical effects for savers include a lower penalty for missed RMDs than older law did, and new plan options advisers can use to boost retirement savings, according to a Fidelity explainer and plan-advisor guidance.
Financial planners say the mix of higher contribution limits this year and the phased RMD age increase means many workers can both defer taxes and keep money invested longer, but they advise reviewing employer plan rules because not every plan must adopt every SECURE 2.0 feature, per a plan-advisor guide from Captrust and industry summaries.
For Americans approaching Social Security age, the interaction between retirement-account rules and benefit timing is another consideration: Social Security full retirement age rules remain separate from SECURE 2.0 RMD timing and advisers recommend coordinating withdrawals with benefit claims to manage taxes and Medicare premiums.
Sources
- IRS — 2026 amounts and notices on retirement plans and IRAs, including updated contribution limits (IRS bulletin PDF).
- Fidelity — explainer of SECURE 2.0 provisions and RMD penalty changes.
- Ameritas — summary noting Roth sources excluded from RMD calculations beginning January 1, 2027.
- Captrust / Fidelity guide — advisor-focused summary of SECURE 2.0 implementation deadlines and plan options.
- eciks.org — internal coverage of 2026 contribution limit increases and Social Security retirement age context.
