RMD Calculator (Required Minimum Distribution)

Once a person reaches the age of 73, the IRS requires retirement account holders to withdraw a minimum amount of money each year – this amount is referred to as the Required Minimum Distribution (RMD). This calculator calculates the RMD depending on your age and account balance. The calculations are based on the IRS Publication 590-B, so the calculator is intended for residents of the United States only.

Modify the values and click the Calculate button to use

Your year of birth

Year of RMD

Account balance as of 12/31/2024

Is your spouse the primary beneficiary?

Yes

Your spouse's date of birth

Estimated rate of return (Optional)

What is Required Minimum Distribution (RMD)?

A Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) is the minimum amount that must be withdrawn annually from retirement accounts such as Traditional IRAs, 401(k)s, 403(b)s, and other similar retirement accounts. The IRS requires these distributions to ensure that tax-deferred retirement savings are eventually taxed.

The RMD rules apply to account holders starting from age 73 (as of 2023 following the SECURE 2.0 Act). Prior to this change, the starting age was 72 (from 2020-2022) and 70½ (before 2020). These distributions are mandatory; failure to take the required minimum distribution can result in a substantial tax penalty of 25% of the amount not withdrawn (reduced to 10% if corrected in a timely manner).

How is RMD Calculated?

The RMD is calculated by dividing the retirement account balance as of December 31 of the previous year by the distribution period determined by the IRS. The distribution period is based on the account holder's age and can be found in the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table.

The formula for calculating RMD is:

$$RMD = \frac{\text{Account Balance}}{\text{Distribution Period}}$$

For example, if your retirement account balance as of December 31 of the previous year was $100,000 and your distribution period (from the Uniform Lifetime Table) is 25.6, your RMD would be $100,000 ÷ 25.6 = $3,906.25.

If your spouse is the sole beneficiary of your retirement account and is more than 10 years younger than you, you can use the Joint Life and Last Survivor Expectancy Table instead, which typically results in a smaller RMD.

IRS Uniform Lifetime Table (2022 and later)

The Uniform Lifetime Table is used by most IRA owners to calculate their RMDs. Below is a partial listing of the distribution periods for different ages:

Age	Distribution Period	Age	Distribution Period
72	27.4	85	16.0
73	26.5	86	15.2
74	25.5	87	14.4
75	24.6	88	13.7
76	23.7	89	12.9
77	22.9	90	12.2
78	22.0	91	11.5
79	21.1	92	10.8
80	20.2	93	10.1

Note: For complete and up-to-date information, please refer to the official IRS Publication 590-B.

Important RMD Rules to Know

First RMD Timing: For your first RMD (the year you turn 73), you have until April 1 of the following year to take the distribution. For all subsequent years, you must take the RMD by December 31.
Multiple Accounts: If you have multiple IRAs, you must calculate the RMD for each account separately, but you can withdraw the total amount from one or more of your IRAs. For 401(k) plans, you must take the RMD from each account separately.
Roth IRA Exception: Roth IRAs do not require RMDs during the account owner's lifetime. However, Roth 401(k)s are subject to RMD rules unless rolled over to a Roth IRA.
Penalties: Failing to take your RMD can result in a penalty of 25% of the amount not withdrawn (reduced to 10% if corrected in a timely manner).
Tax Implications: RMDs are generally taxable as ordinary income in the year they are received. They cannot be rolled over to another tax-deferred account.

Strategies for Managing RMDs

Start Planning Early

Begin planning for RMDs well before you reach age 73 to minimize their tax impact.

Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs)

Consider making qualified charitable distributions directly from your IRA to satisfy your RMD without increasing your taxable income (up to $100,000 per year).

Roth Conversions

Convert some traditional IRA assets to a Roth IRA years before RMDs begin to reduce future RMD amounts.

Strategic Withdrawal Timing

If you're in a lower tax bracket in certain years, consider taking larger distributions during those years to reduce future RMD amounts.

Continue Working

If you're still working beyond age 73, you may be able to delay RMDs from your current employer's plan (but not from IRAs or previous employers' plans).

How to Use This RMD Calculator

Enter your year of birth to determine your age for RMD calculation purposes.
Select the year for which you want to calculate the RMD (current or future year).
Enter your retirement account balance as of December 31 of the year prior to the RMD year.
Indicate whether your spouse is the primary beneficiary of your account.
If applicable, enter your spouse's year of birth (especially important if more than 10 years younger than you).
Optionally, enter an expected rate of return to see projections of future RMDs and account balances.
Click 'Calculate' to see your RMD amount and future projections.

This calculator provides estimates based on current IRS guidelines and should be used for planning purposes only. Consult with a qualified financial advisor or tax professional for personalized advice.