RMD Calculator

Introduction

This RMD Calculator estimates the Required Minimum Distribution you must take from traditional IRAs and many other tax-deferred accounts once you reach the IRS starting age. Enter birth year or age, account balance as of December 31 of the prior year, and the calculator applies the Uniform Lifetime Table factor to divide balance by life expectancy. Output is approximate annual RMD before aggregating multiple accounts or applying spouse exceptions. Use it for tax planning, not as filing instructions.

Who this calculator is for

Retirees with traditional IRA or old 401(k) balances who need the IRS floor on withdrawals each year. Beneficiaries inheriting IRAs under SECURE Act rules may use simplified estimates here before reading IRS publications for their beneficiary class. Spouses more than ten years younger use a different table; this page may default to Uniform Lifetime Table unless you select joint life.

Roth IRAs have no RMD for the original owner during life. Roth 401(k) RMD rules have changed under recent law; verify current year requirements. For spending beyond the minimum, see the Annuity Payout Calculator. For total retirement income include the Social Security Calculator.

What it estimates

RMD equals prior December 31 balance divided by distribution period from IRS tables. The period shrinks each year as age increases, so RMD rises even if balance is flat. First RMD year may be delayed until April 1 of the following year, but second RMD is same calendar year, doubling tax in that year if you delay the first.

Multiple IRAs: calculate RMD on combined traditional IRA balance but you may take the total from one IRA. 401(k) RMDs are per plan and usually cannot be aggregated. This tool typically models one balance field; sum accounts yourself if needed.

Inputs explained

Balance must be December 31 prior year-end fair market value, not today's balance or cost basis.

• Birth year or age: Determines table factor; SECURE 2.0 raised starting age to 73 for many born 1951 to 1959.
• Prior year-end balance: Traditional IRA and similar tax-deferred total as of last December 31.
• Account type (if shown): IRA versus 401(k) may change aggregation rules in guidance text.
• Spouse beneficiary age gap (optional): Triggers Joint Life table when spouse is more than ten years younger and sole beneficiary.

How to read the results

Estimated RMD is the minimum dollars you must distribute taxable unless rolled from an eligible workplace plan to IRA in some cases. Withdraw more anytime. Missing RMD triggers penalty historically 25% or 50% on shortfall; SECURE 2.0 reduced penalty in some cases. Schedule tax withholding or quarterly estimates because RMD adds to ordinary income.

Compare RMD to spending need from the Annuity Payout Calculator. If RMD exceeds spending, reinvest after-tax in taxable account. RMD may push Social Security into taxation; rough check with the Tax Calculator.

Worked example

Born 1958, age 68 in 2026; RMD starting age 73 under current law for that cohort, so no RMD yet in 2026 for illustration use age 75 with same balance. Prior year-end balance $640,000 in traditional IRA. Uniform Lifetime Table factor at 75 is about 24.6 years. RMD approximately $640,000 divided by 24.6, near $26,000 for the year.

At 80 factor near 20.2, same balance RMD about $31,700. Balance drops after withdrawal but factor also shrinks, so RMD often climbs through seventies. Market drop December 31 lowers next year's RMD because balance input falls. Roth conversion before RMD age reduces future RMD base but triggers conversion tax.

Practical use cases

December planning: estimate next year RMD from current balance for withholding. QCD planning: qualified charitable distributions up to $105,000 (indexed) from IRA can satisfy RMD without counting as taxable income if rules met; calculator may not model QCD separately.

Inherited IRA: beneficiaries use different tables and often ten-year empty rule for non-eligible designated beneficiaries. Do not use owner Uniform table for inherited stretch without checking beneficiary type.

Limitations and related tools

Does not file Form 5329 or compute exact penalty. Annuities inside IRA, still-working exception from 401(k) RMD at current employer, and ROBS plans are special cases. Table updates from IRS bulletins may lag calculator updates.

Related: IRA Calculator, Retirement Calculator, Tax Calculator, tax planning strategies 2026.

How It Works

1. Enter birth year or age. Set age for the RMD year you are estimating.
2. Enter prior December 31 balance. Use combined traditional IRA year-end fair market value.
3. Select table if options appear. Use Uniform Lifetime unless spouse is more than ten years younger and sole beneficiary.
4. Read estimated RMD. Calculate and note minimum distribution. Plan withholding and compare to spending need.

Formula and methodology

The RMD Calculator uses this identity for the scenario you enter. A bank, payroll system, or tax program may round on a 360-day year or average daily balance, so a statement can differ by a small amount.