Do required minimum distributions apply to Roth money in my 401(k)?

This changed recently. Under SECURE 2.0, starting in 2024, designated Roth accounts inside a 401(k) or 403(b) are no longer subject to required minimum distributions during the owner's lifetime, matching how Roth IRAs already worked. Previously, Roth 401(k)s did require RMDs, which pushed many people to roll them into Roth IRAs to avoid them.

Pre-tax 401(k) balances still require RMDs beginning at your applicable age (73 for most people now, rising to 75 later this decade under SECURE 2.0). One nuance: if you are still working past RMD age and do not own more than 5% of the company, you can often delay RMDs from your current employer's plan until you retire. Confirm your plan's specific still-working exception.