RMD Calculator: Calculate Your Required Minimum Distribution
The RMD Calculator helps retirees quickly determine how much they must withdraw from their tax-deferred retirement accounts each year. Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) are mandatory annual withdrawals the IRS requires from Traditional IRAs, 401(k)s, and similar accounts starting at age 73 (per the SECURE 2.0 Act). Failing to take your full RMD can result in a hefty 25% excise tax on the amount not withdrawn.
Enter the total value of your IRA or 401(k) account as of December 31 of the previous year.
RMDs generally begin at age 73 (per SECURE 2.0 Act). Enter your age as of December 31 of the current year.
Select the type of retirement account. Roth IRAs do NOT have RMDs during the owner's lifetime.
If yes, a different IRS life expectancy table (Joint Life Table) applies, which may reduce your RMD.
Only required if your sole beneficiary is a spouse more than 10 years younger than you.
If you have multiple IRA accounts, you can aggregate them. Enter the combined balance of any other accounts to see your total RMD.
Your results will appear here
How to Use This Calculator
1. Enter your retirement account balance as of December 31 of the prior year — this is the official IRS starting point for RMD calculations. 2. Enter your age as of December 31 of the current tax year. 3. Select your account type from the dropdown (Traditional IRA, 401(k), Inherited IRA, etc.). 4. Indicate whether your sole beneficiary is a spouse more than 10 years younger than you — if yes, enter your spouse's age; this unlocks the Joint Life Table for a potentially lower RMD. 5. Optionally, enter the total balance of any additional RMD-subject accounts to see your combined RMD obligation. 6. Click Calculate to instantly see your RMD amount, life expectancy factor, effective withdrawal rate, and suggested monthly distribution.
What Is a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD)?
A Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) is the minimum amount the IRS mandates you withdraw annually from certain tax-deferred retirement accounts once you reach a specified age. The SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 raised the RMD starting age from 72 to 73 (and to 75 starting in 2033). RMDs apply to Traditional IRAs, SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs, 401(k), 403(b), and 457(b) plans. Roth IRAs are exempt from RMDs during the original owner's lifetime.
How Is the RMD Calculated?
The IRS uses a straightforward formula:
- RMD = Account Balance ÷ Distribution Period (Life Expectancy Factor)
The account balance is the fair market value of your account as of December 31 of the prior year. The distribution period comes from one of three IRS life expectancy tables:
1. Uniform Lifetime Table
Used by most account owners. This table provides a distribution period based solely on the owner's age. For example, at age 75, the factor is 24.6, meaning you divide your balance by 24.6 to get your RMD.
2. Joint Life and Last Survivor Table
Used only when your sole designated beneficiary is your spouse and your spouse is more than 10 years younger. Because the joint life expectancy is longer, this table produces a smaller RMD — meaning less taxable income each year.
3. Single Life Expectancy Table
Used primarily by eligible designated beneficiaries (such as a spouse who inherits an IRA) to calculate annual distributions from an inherited account.
Inherited IRA RMD Rules (Post-SECURE 2.0)
Non-spouse beneficiaries who inherited IRAs after December 31, 2019, are generally subject to the 10-Year Rule — the entire account must be distributed by the end of the 10th year following the original owner's death. Specific annual RMD requirements within that window depend on whether the original owner had already started taking RMDs.
Penalties for Missing an RMD
If you fail to take your full RMD by the deadline (generally December 31, or April 1 of the year after you turn 73 for your first RMD), the IRS imposes an excise tax of 25% of the amount not withdrawn (reduced to 10% if corrected within 2 years under SECURE 2.0).
Tax Implications of RMDs
- RMDs from Traditional IRAs and 401(k)s are taxed as ordinary income in the year withdrawn.
- They can push you into a higher tax bracket or increase Medicare IRMAA surcharges.
- Consider a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) — you can donate up to $105,000 per year (2024) directly from your IRA to a qualified charity and exclude it from taxable income while still satisfying your RMD.
- Roth conversions before RMD age can reduce future RMD amounts by lowering your traditional IRA balance.