51. Timing and modes of distribution
Section 8. Definitions.
Publication 6165 — Defined Benefit Listing of Required Modifications and Information Package (LRM) · 2026-10-03 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · United States
Section 8.1. Applicable age.
(a) In the case of an individual who attains age 70 before July 1, 2019, the applicable age is 70 ½.
(b) In the case of an individual who attains age 70 on or after July 1, 2019, the applicable age is 72.
(c) In the case of an individual who attains age 72 after December 31, 2022, and age 73 before January 1, 2033, the applicable age is 73.
(Note to reviewer: Section 107 of the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 increases the required minimum distribution age to age 73 starting on January 1, 2023 and increases the age further to age 75 starting on January 1, 2033. That change was not included on the Cumulative List, so plan language is not provided in this regard.)
Section 8.2. Actuarial gain. The difference between an amount determined using the actuarial assumptions (i.e., investment return, mortality, expense, and other similar assumptions) used to calculate the initial payments before adjustment for any increases and the amount determined under the actual experience with respect to those factors. Actuarial gain also includes differences between the amount determined using actuarial assumptions when an annuity was purchased or commenced and such amount determined using actuarial assumptions used in calculating payments at the time the actuarial gain is determined.
23. Designated beneficiary. The individual who is designated by the participant (or the participant’s surviving spouse) as the beneficiary of the participant’s interest under the plan and who is the designated beneficiary underCode §IRC 401(a)(9) and Treas. Reg.§1.401(a)(9)–4.
(a).
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(Note to reviewer: In order to designate a beneficiary under the plan, the plan must by its
terms designate the beneficiary or provide for an affirmative election by the participant
(or the participant’s surviving spouse) specifying such beneficiary. See Treas. Reg.
§ 1.401(a)(9)4 , Q&A-1.) (a).)
Section 8. 34 . Distribution calendar year. A calendar year for which a minimum distribution is
required. For distributions beginning before the participant’s death, the first distribution
calendar year is the calendar year immediately preceding the calendar year which contains the
participant’s required beginning date. For distributions beginning after the participant’s death,
the first distribution calendar year is the calendar year in which distributions are required to
begin pursuant to section 2.2.
Section 8. 45 . Eligible cost-of-living index. An index described in paragraphs (b)(2), (b)(3) or
(b)(4) of Treas. Reg. §1 .401(a)(9)–6 , Q&A-14. (o)(2)(i), (o)(2)(ii) or (o)(2)(iii).
Section 8.5. Section 8.6 Life expectancy. Life expectancy as computed by use of the
Single Life Table in Treas. Reg. §1 .401(a)(9)–9 , Q&A-1. (b).
Section 8.7. Section 8.6. Required beginning date.
(a) The required beginning date is one of the following as selected by the employer in section _____ of the adoption agreement:
(Note to reviewer: The blank should be filled in with the section number of the adoption agreement corresponding to section 3 of the sample adoption agreement provisions of this LRM #51.)
(i) The required beginning date of a participant is April 1 of the calendar year following
the calendar year in which the participant attains age 70½. the Applicable Age.
(ii) I. The required beginning date of a participant is April 1 of the calendar year
following the calendar year in which the participant attains age 70½, the Applicable Age, except
that benefit distributions to a participant (other than a 5% owner) with respect to benefits
accrued after the later of the adoption or effective date of the amendment to the plan that
implements the changes to the required beginning date of this paragraph must commence by the
later of the April 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the participant
attains age 70½ the Applicable Age or retires.
(iii) II. The required beginning date of a participant is April 1 of the calendar year
following the later of the calendar year in which the participant attains age 70½ the Applicable
Age or the calendar year in which the participant retires, except that benefit distributions to a
5% owner must commence by April 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which
the participant attains age 70½ .the Applicable Age.
(b) If elected by the employer in section _____ of the adoption agreement, any participant
(other than a 5-percent owner) may elect by April 1 of the calendar year following the
calendar year in which the participant attains age 70½ the Applicable Age to defer
distributions until April 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the
participant retires. If no such election is made the participant will begin receiving
distributions by April 1 of the calendar year following the year in which the participant
attained age 70½. the Applicable Age.
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(Note to reviewer: The blank should be filled in with the section number of the adoption agreement corresponding to section 4(a) of the sample adoption agreement provisions of this LRM.)
(c) Except with respect to a 5% owner, a participant’s accrued benefit will be actuarially
increased to take into account the period after age 70½ in which the participant does not
receive any benefits under the plan. The actuarial increase will begin on April 1 following
the calendar year in which the employee attains age 70½ (January 1, 1997 in the case of
an employee who attains age 70½ prior to 1996), and will end on the date on which
benefits commence after retirement in an amount sufficient to satisfy Code § IRC 401(a)
(9). The amount of actuarial increase payable as of the end of the period for actuarial
increases will be no less than the actuarial equivalent of the participant’s retirement
benefits that would have been payable as of the date the actuarial increase must commence
plus the actuarial equivalent of additional benefits accrued after that date, reduced by the
actuarial equivalent of any distributions made after that date. The actuarial increase under
this section is not in addition to the actuarial increase required for that same period under
Code § IRC 411 to reflect the delay in payments after normal retirement, except that the
actuarial increase required under this section will be provided even during the period
during which an employee is in service under ERISA § 203(a)(3)(B). For purposes of
Code § IRC 411(b)(1)(H), the actuarial increase will be treated as an adjustment
attributable to the delay in distribution of benefits after the attainment of normal
retirement age. Accordingly, to the extent permitted under Code § IRC 411(b)(1)(H), the
actuarial increase required under this article will reduce the benefit accrual otherwise
required under Code § IRC 411(b)(1)(H)(i), except that the rules on the suspension of
benefits are not applicable.
Section 8. 78 . 5% owner. A participant is treated as a 5% owner for purposes of this article if
the participant is a 5% owner as defined in Code § IRC 416 at any time during the plan year
ending with or within the calendar year in which such owner attains age 70½ .the Applicable
Age. Once distributions have begun to a 5% owner under this article, they must continue to be
distributed, even if the participant ceases to be a 5% owner in a subsequent year.
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