Retired couples can withdraw $47,500 from IRAs tax-free in 2026
A married couple, both aged 65 or older, can withdraw roughly $47,500 from their traditional IRAs this year without owing federal income tax.
The tax-free window is available due to the standard deduction for married filing jointly, which is $32,200, and the additional standard deduction of $1,650 per spouse for taxpayers 65 and older, totaling $3,300 for a couple.
The temporary senior deduction created by the One Big Beautiful Bill adds $6,000 per qualifying individual age 65 or older, effective from 2025 through 2028, allowing two seniors to capture $12,000.
This tax-free window closes at age 73 when required minimum distributions begin, at which point a $1.5 million IRA triggers a $56,600 first-year forced withdrawal taxed at higher rates.