"Taking no more than your RMD generally is advantageous because of tax-deferred compounding. But a larger distribution in a year your tax bracket is low may save tax. Be sure, however, to consider the lost future tax-deferred growth and, if applicable, whether the distribution could: [1] cause Social Security payments to become taxable, [2] increase income-based Medicare premiums and prescription drug charges, or [3] reduce or eliminate the benefits of other tax breaks with income-based limits, such as the new $6,000 deduction for seniors."  MORE >>