Will RMDs be waived for 2021? No. The CARES Act halted required minimum distributions from IRAs and 401(k)s for 2020. An extension of the waiver wasn’t included in the latest stimulus law. People age 72 and older must take RMDs for 2021 by year end, with two exceptions. Individuals who turn 72 this year can postpone taking their payout until April 18, 2022. And people who work past 72 can delay RMDs from their current employer’s 401(k) until they retire, provided they don’t own more than 5% of the firm that employs them.