If you have multiple retirement accounts, the rules for taking RMDs are more complex than a single-account scenario. IRAs and employer plans are treated differently — and getting the aggregation wrong can leave you with missed RMDs and penalties.
The Key Distinction: IRAs vs. Employer Plans
| Account Type | Aggregation Allowed? | Where to Take the RMD |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional IRAs | ✅ Yes — can aggregate all your own traditional IRAs | Any one or combination of your own traditional IRAs |
| Rollover IRAs | ✅ Yes — treated the same as traditional IRAs | Same as traditional IRA |
| SEP IRAs | ✅ Yes — included in IRA aggregation | Same as traditional IRA |
| SIMPLE IRAs | ✅ Yes — included in IRA aggregation | Same as traditional IRA |
| 401(k) plans | ❌ No — each plan is separate | Must take from each 401(k) separately |
| 403(b) plans | ✅ Yes — can aggregate all 403(b) accounts | Any one or combination of your 403(b) accounts |
| 457(b) government plans | ❌ No — each plan is separate | Must take from each plan separately |
| Inherited IRAs | Partial — only same-decedent accounts | Cannot mix with own IRAs |
IRA Aggregation: Step-by-Step Example
Scenario: You have three traditional IRAs with balances of $250,000, $180,000, and $70,000 as of December 31, 2025. You are 75 in 2026. The distribution period from the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table for age 75 is 24.6.
| Account | Balance | Calculated RMD |
|---|---|---|
| IRA 1 | $250,000 | $10,163 |
| IRA 2 | $180,000 | $7,317 |
| IRA 3 | $70,000 | $2,846 |
| Total | $500,000 | $20,325 |
You must withdraw $20,325 total — but you can take it all from IRA 1, all from IRA 3, or split across all three in any amount. The only requirement is that the total taken equals $20,325.
Strategy use: Consolidate withdrawals in the account with the least-desirable long-term investment options, or the one where you are most overweight an asset class you want to reduce.
401(k) Aggregation: Each Plan Is Separate
If you have two old 401(k) plans plus your current employer’s plan, you must take a separate RMD from each. You cannot take a combined RMD from just one.
Example: Two old 401(k)s with RMDs of $5,000 and $3,000. You must take $5,000 from the first plan and $3,000 from the second. Taking $8,000 from just one does not satisfy both RMDs.
Simplification tip: Roll old 401(k)s into a single IRA. Once consolidated into one IRA, the IRA aggregation rules apply — and you only need to manage one RMD calculation and withdrawal.
Inherited IRA Aggregation
If you inherited IRAs from the same person, you may aggregate those accounts for RMD purposes. However:
- Inherited IRAs are always separate from your own IRAs
- Inherited IRAs from different decedents are each tracked separately
- You cannot take a distribution from your own IRA to satisfy an inherited IRA RMD
Practical RMD Management With Multiple Accounts
- Consolidate where possible — rolling old 401(k)s to one IRA simplifies RMD calculations
- Let your IRA custodian calculate each account’s RMD — Fidelity, Schwab, Vanguard, and most custodians offer RMD calculation services and automatic withdrawals
- Track all accounts in a spreadsheet — note each account’s December 31 balance, distribution period, and calculated RMD
- Take action by November — waiting until December creates risk of processing delays missing the December 31 deadline
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