RMD Calculator

Estimate your required minimum distributions based on your retirement account balance and age.

Account Balance (as of Dec 31) Your Age Calculation Year My spouse is the sole beneficiary and more than 10 years younger than me

Enter your account balance to see your RMD.

What Is an RMD Calculator?

An RMD calculator estimates the minimum amount you must withdraw from your retirement accounts each year after reaching age 73 (or 72 if you turned 72 before 2023). The calculation uses your account balance at the end of the previous year and a life expectancy factor from the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table. The result is the minimum withdrawal required to avoid a 25% excise tax penalty.

How Required Minimum Distributions Are Calculated

The IRS mandates that retirement account owners begin taking distributions by April 1 of the year after they turn 73. The annual RMD is determined by dividing the prior year-end account balance by a distribution period factor based on your age.

The Formula

RMD = Account Balance ÷ Life Expectancy Factor

The life expectancy factor comes from the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table. For example, at age 73 the factor is 26.5, at age 80 it is 18.7, and at age 90 it is 11.4. As you age, the factor decreases, meaning your RMD increases as a percentage of your balance.

Key Assumptions

The calculation assumes a single life expectancy factor from the Uniform Lifetime Table
If your spouse is more than 10 years younger and is your sole beneficiary, a different table (Joint Life Expectancy Table) may apply
Inherited retirement accounts follow different RMD rules under the SECURE Act

How to Use This RMD Calculator

Enter your age — Use your age as of December 31 of the current year
Enter your account balance — Use the total balance of all your traditional IRAs, SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs, and employer-sponsored retirement plans as of December 31 of the previous year
Review your estimated RMD — The calculator applies the correct IRS life expectancy factor and shows your required distribution for the current year

Note that if you have multiple traditional IRAs, you must calculate the RMD for each account separately, but you can withdraw the total amount from any one or combination of your IRA accounts.

Example Calculation

A retiree turns 75 this year. Their traditional IRA balance on December 31 of last year was $420,000. The IRS life expectancy factor for age 75 is 24.6.

RMD = $420,000 ÷ 24.6 = $17,073.17

This retiree must withdraw at least $17,073.17 from their IRA by December 31 of the current year to avoid the penalty. Any amount withdrawn beyond this minimum is allowed but does not reduce future RMD obligations.

Understanding Your RMD Results

The calculated amount is the minimum you must withdraw. You can always take more. The distribution is treated as ordinary income and is subject to federal income tax (and possibly state tax).

If you have multiple retirement accounts, remember:

For traditional IRAs: Calculate each RMD separately, but you can withdraw the total from one account
For 401(k)s and other employer plans: You must take RMDs from each plan separately
Roth IRAs do not require RMDs during the original owner's lifetime

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using the wrong balance — Always use the December 31 balance from the prior year, not the current year balance
Forgetting the first-year deadline — Your first RMD can be delayed until April 1 of the year after you turn 73, but this means you will take two distributions in that year
Missing the annual deadline — Subsequent RMDs must be taken by December 31 each year
Ignoring inherited accounts — Beneficiaries of inherited retirement accounts have their own RMD schedules and penalties

Limitations of This Calculator

This calculator uses the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table, which applies to most account owners. It does not account for:

The spousal exception for younger spouses (Joint Life Expectancy Table)
RMD rules for inherited IRAs under the SECURE Act 10-year rule
Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) that can satisfy RMD requirements tax-free
State-specific tax treatment of retirement distributions

Always verify your final RMD amount with your tax professional or financial advisor, especially if you have unique circumstances.

Practical Use Cases

Retirement planning — Estimate future RMD amounts to plan your withdrawal strategy and tax liability
Tax estimation — Understand how much additional income your RMD will add to your tax return
QCD planning — If you donate to charity, a Qualified Charitable Distribution can satisfy your RMD without increasing taxable income
Roth conversion decisions — Lower future RMDs by converting traditional IRA funds to a Roth IRA before RMDs begin

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I don't take my RMD?

The IRS imposes a 25% excise tax on the amount you failed to withdraw. If you correct the mistake within two years, the penalty may be reduced to 10%. This penalty is in addition to any income tax owed on the distribution.

Do Roth IRAs have RMDs?

No. Roth IRAs do not require minimum distributions during the original owner's lifetime. However, beneficiaries of inherited Roth IRAs may be subject to RMD rules.

Can I withdraw more than my RMD?

Yes. You can withdraw any amount above your RMD. The excess does not reduce your RMD in future years. Any amount withdrawn is still subject to ordinary income tax.

Do I need to calculate RMDs for each account separately?

For traditional IRAs, you calculate the RMD for each account but can withdraw the total from one account. For 401(k)s and other employer-sponsored plans, you must take RMDs from each plan individually.

What is the deadline for taking my first RMD?

Your first RMD must be taken by April 1 of the year after you turn 73. All subsequent RMDs must be taken by December 31 of each year. If you delay your first RMD to April 1, you will need to take two distributions in that year.