You need to take it the year you turn 70 1/2. So when do you turn 70? You have until April 1 of the year following you turn 70 1/2. So the first RMD you can wait to take it. But then you will have to take 2 RMD that year.
Each plan might automatically send you the amount at the beginning of the year. Mine did. If they are the same kind of accounts like IRA you can take the total RMD for all of them from one account or split it up. You have to take the RMD separately from IRA and 401k accounts.
See this IRS FAQ on RMDs….
<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="
http://www.irs.gov/Retirement-Plans/Retirement-Plans-FAQs-regarding-Required-Minimum-Distributions">...>
Here is a worksheet to calculate the IRA RMD
<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-tege/uniform_rmd_wksht.pdf">https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-tege/uniform_rmd...>
You will get a 1099R at the end of the year you take the distribution.
