Tax Changes at 65 and 73 (2026)
Two big tax birthdays: 65 (bigger deductions, Medicare) and 73 (RMDs begin).
At 65 you get a larger standard deduction (an extra age-65 amount) plus the new OBBBA $6,000 senior deduction, and you enroll in Medicare — where a high income can trigger IRMAA surcharges. At 73, required minimum distributions (RMDs) begin on your pre-tax retirement accounts under SECURE 2.0, adding taxable income each year. Planning Roth conversions in your 60s can soften the RMD hit later.
What changes for your taxes
- At 65: an additional standard deduction for age, plus the new $6,000 senior deduction (through 2028).
- At 65: Medicare enrollment — and IRMAA surcharges on Part B/D if your income is high.
- At 73: required minimum distributions begin on Traditional IRAs and 401(k)s.
- Each RMD is taxable ordinary income, which can also affect how much of your Social Security is taxed.
The milestones, birthday by birthday
At 65, two things help and one to watch: your standard deduction grows with the age-65 add-on, and the OBBBA adds a $6,000 senior deduction (per person, phasing out above $75k/$150k MAGI). But Medicare also starts, and a high income two years prior can push you into IRMAA surcharges on your premiums.
At 73, SECURE 2.0 requires minimum distributions from your pre-tax accounts. Those withdrawals are taxable and can raise your bracket and the taxable share of your Social Security. The classic response is to convert some Traditional money to Roth in your 60s — a lower-income window — to shrink future RMDs.
| Age | What changes |
|---|---|
| 65 | Extra standard deduction + $6,000 senior deduction |
| 65 | Medicare begins; watch IRMAA at higher incomes |
| 73 | RMDs begin on pre-tax accounts (SECURE 2.0) |
| 75 | RMD start age rises to 75 (from 2033) |
Which situation is yours?
Your action checklist
Frequently asked questions
What tax changes happen at 65?
You get an additional standard deduction for age plus the new $6,000 senior deduction, and you enroll in Medicare — where a high income can trigger IRMAA premium surcharges.
When do required minimum distributions start?
At age 73 under SECURE 2.0 (rising to 75 in 2033). RMDs are taxable withdrawals from pre-tax retirement accounts, due by December 31 each year.
Is Social Security tax-free after 65?
No. Turning 65 doesn't make Social Security tax-free; up to 85% can still be taxable based on your income. The senior deduction can reduce the tax indirectly by lowering taxable income.
How can I reduce RMD taxes?
Convert some Traditional IRA/401(k) money to Roth in lower-income years before 73, give RMDs directly to charity as Qualified Charitable Distributions, and plan withdrawals across years.
Sources & verification
Last reviewed July 12, 2026.