---
title: When Do I Have to Start Withdrawing From a Traditional IRA?
description: While you can begin making qualified withdrawals from a traditional IRA at age 59½, you must start taking withdrawals when you turn 70 ½.
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published: '2014-05-20T19:31:12.000Z'
modified: '2024-04-02T04:46:47.000Z'
section: Retirement
tags:
  - IRA
  - IRA distributions
  - IRA withdrawals
  - IRAs
  - Retirement
  - retirement accounts
  - retirement investments
  - retirement planning
  - retirement savings
  - Roth IRA
  - Roth IRAs
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![When Do I Have to Start Withdrawing From a Traditional IRA?](https://money.com/img/logo-social.png)

While you can begin making qualified withdrawals from a traditional IRA at age 59½, you must start taking withdrawals that are known as "required minimum distributions" by April 1 following the calendar year in which you turn 70 ½. The amount of the distribution depends on how much you have saved in the account and your life expectancy, according to tables published by the IRS.

That's [a major difference between a traditional IRA and a Roth IRA](https://money.com/collection-post/difference-between-traditional-and-roth-ira/). If you own a Roth, you can leave the money in for as long as you want.

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