It’s that time again.

The letter shows up.
The number’s circled.
And you’re told to do one thing.

Take the money.
Pay the tax.
Move on.

Most retirees never question it.

Not because it’s smart.
But because it’s familiar.

Here’s the part nobody explains:

Cash is just the default.
Not the only option.

Every year, people over 73 are forced to pull money out of retirement accounts. Billions of dollars.
Almost all of it handled the same way.

Liquidate first.
Then distribute.

Which can quietly:

• Push you into higher taxes
• Force sales at bad times
• Shrink diversification
• Lock in decisions you didn’t mean to make

And once it’s done… it’s done.

But buried in IRS rules is a second path most people never hear about.

It’s called an in-kind RMD.

Instead of selling assets first, certain holdings can be distributed as-is.

No loopholes.
No tricks.
Fully allowed.

It doesn’t erase taxes.
But it can change what you’re taxed on, when, and how exposed you stay after the withdrawal.

Before you take your next RMD, ask yourself:

Am I doing this because it’s best…
Or because it’s the only option I was shown?

We put together a plain-English breakdown explaining:

• Cash vs. in-kind RMDs
• When each makes sense
• Questions to ask before you withdraw
• Mistakes that are hard to undo

This isn’t about hype.
It’s about not sleepwalking through a required decision.

Because once a year becomes ten faster than you think.