Trump to sign EO to allow seniors still working to not be forced to start taking their retirement out of their IRAs/401ks at 70.5 years. One of the purposes of the 70.5 year rule was to keep seniors from obtaining a nest egg of money to pass on to their heirs. While still working, seniors now are taxed on their earnings and the money taken out of their retirement plans. One reason is the government didn't want seniors to shield a large amount of money from taxes by being able to pass it to their heirs in their estates.