A qualified charitable distribution is one of the most tax-efficient ways to meet your RMD. It lets you give to charity while excluding the gift from your income.
How a QCD satisfies your RMD
A qualified charitable distribution is a direct transfer from your IRA to a qualified charity. You must be at least 70 1/2 years old, and the funds must go straight from your IRA custodian to the charity, never passing through your hands. The amount counts toward your required minimum distribution for the year but is excluded from your taxable income. For 2026, you can give up to $111,000 per person through QCDs, an inflation-adjusted increase from $108,000 in 2025. Married couples filing jointly can each use their own limit from their own IRAs.
Why a QCD beats a regular donation
Because a QCD is excluded from income rather than taken as a deduction, it lowers your adjusted gross income directly. That matters even if you take the standard deduction and could not otherwise write off a gift. A lower income can reduce the taxation of your Social Security benefits and help you avoid Medicare IRMAA surcharges, which raise Part B and Part D premiums for higher earners. For charitably inclined retirees facing large RMDs, a QCD often delivers a better tax result than donating cash separately.
See how a QCD protects your Medicare costs
Lowering your taxable income with a QCD can directly help keep your Medicare premiums affordable. Call 1-800-MEDIGAP (dial 1-800-633-4427) to speak with a licensed agent about how a qualified charitable distribution may reduce your IRMAA exposure and fit into your overall retirement income plan.