When Do You Have To Start Taking Distributions From An Annuity? This video explains when you’re required to start withdrawing money from an annuity and when it’s optional. The answer depends on whether your annuity is inside a qualified account like an IRA or 401(k), or funded with after-tax (non-qualified) money, and that distinction drives a lot of tax decisions. You’ll learn how required minimum distributions (RMDs) apply to annuities held in retirement accounts and how those rules differ fro