# The RMD deferral trap that costs retirees thousands

> Pushing your first required minimum distribution to 2027 saves taxes now but stacks two years of income into one, triggering Medicare surcharges that arrive two years later.
- Title: The RMD deferral trap that costs retirees thousands | Shortify
- Summary: Pushing your first required minimum distribution to 2027 saves taxes now but stacks two years of income into one, triggering Medicare surcharges that arrive…
- Keywords: required minimum distribution, rmd, retirement planning, medicare surcharges, irmaa, tax planning, age 73, social security taxation, adjusted gross income, qualified charitable distribution, deferral, trap
- Source: 24/7 Wall St. — https://247wallst.com/personal-finance/2026/09/18/retirees-who-turned-73-this-year-can-push-their-first-rmd-to-april-1-the-ones-who-do-take-two-in-2027-and-some-pay-a-medicare-bracket-for-it
- Author: David Beren
- Published: 2026-09-18T21:44:19+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: required minimum distribution, rmd, retirement planning, medicare surcharges, irmaa, tax planning, age 73, social security taxation, adjusted gross income, qualified charitable distribution
## Age 73 brings a one-time choice
Retirees turning 73 in 2026 can take their first required minimum distribution now or defer it to April 1, 2027. This decision is permanent after December 31, 2026.
## Deferral stacks two years into one
If you defer your 2026 RMD to 2027, both your 2026 and 2027 distributions land in the same tax year. Taking the first in 2026 keeps each year separate.
## Stacked income pushes you into higher brackets
Two RMDs in 2027 raise your adjusted gross income, pushing the top portion into higher tax brackets. A single filer crosses from 22% to 24% at $105,700; married couples at $211,400.
## Social Security becomes more taxable
Combined income over $25,000 for singles or $32,000 for joint filers makes more of your Social Security taxable. Above $34,000 and $44,000, up to 85% gets included in AGI.
## Medicare surcharges arrive two years later
Medicare uses a two-year lookback, so your 2027 AGI determines your 2029 premiums. One dollar over $109,000 for singles jumps Part B from $202.90 to $284.10 monthly.

> IRMAA uses a two-year lookback, so 2027 AGI drives Medicare premiums in 2029.
## Part D and investment taxes also spike
Part D surcharges start at $14.50 monthly and climb to $91. Long-term capital gains rates jump from 15% to 20%, and the 3.8% net investment income tax kicks in at the same inflated AGI.
## Deferral only helps in specific situations
Deferral works when 2026 income is unusually high from a property sale or one-time payout, and 2027 will be lower. A qualified charitable distribution from an IRA satisfies an RMD without adding to AGI.
## Compare both years before deciding
Project your AGI for 2026 and 2027 under both scenarios, marking tax brackets, Medicare thresholds, and Social Security inclusion limits. Choose whichever year has more room beneath those lines.
## Key takeaway

Retirees turning 73 in 2026 must decide by December 31 whether to take their first RMD now or defer it to April 1, 2027. Deferring saves immediate taxes but forces two distributions into 2027, which can push Medicare premiums up by hundreds of dollars in 2029.