SECURE 2.0 Decoded — Catch-Ups, RMD Changes, Auto-Enrollment & a Planning Checklist


SECURE 2.0 Decoded — Catch-Ups, RMD Changes, Auto-Enrollment & a Planning Checklist


Congress signed SECURE Act 2.0 — and it changes how Americans should save, when they must withdraw, and how employers will help (or force) you to save. Chris Drew walks through the head-liners and what to do next: indexed catch-up boosts (bigger catch-ups for 50+ and especially ages 60–63), a later RMD age (73), a lower penalty for missed RMDs (now 25%), new automatic 401(k) enrollment rules (mandatory auto-enroll and 3% default in many new plans, with an opt-out), higher yearly contribution limits, and the carve-outs for people still working past the RMD age.

Then Chris turns the headlines into a short, actionable yearly playbook: increase savings and always take the employer match; review account titling and rollovers; create a real spending plan and 3–6 month emergency fund; coordinate tax planning (Roth conversions, HSAs, sequence-of-returns issues); revisit Social Security timing and Medicare planning; and build a monitoring/rebalancing process so changes in law or markets don't blow up your plan. Clear, practical, and focused on turning the new law into steps you can implement this year.

Want help applying SECURE 2.0 to your situation? Book a free consultation at https://askthecaptain.com or call 833-DREW-CAP (833-373-9227).