RMD Calculator
After decades of deferring tax on a traditional retirement account, the IRS eventually requires you to start withdrawing — and paying tax on — a minimum amount each year. Missing that deadline carries a real penalty, so knowing the exact required figure ahead of time matters more than with most other calculators on this site.
Enter your details to see your required distribution.
How to use this calculator
- Enter your retirement account balance as of December 31 of the prior year.
- Enter your age for this distribution year.
- Click "Calculate my RMD" to see your required withdrawal using the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table.
How the calculation works
Your RMD is simply your account balance as of December 31 of the prior year, divided by a "life expectancy factor" the IRS publishes for each age in its Uniform Lifetime Table. The factor decreases as you get older (reflecting a shorter expected distribution period), which means the required withdrawal grows as a percentage of your balance each year you age, even if the account's dollar value doesn't change.
A worked example
Say you turn 73 this year with a $500,000 balance as of last December 31. The IRS factor for age 73 is 26.5, so your RMD is $500,000 ÷ 26.5 = roughly $18,868. The following year, assuming the same balance, the factor drops to 25.5 for age 74, raising the required withdrawal to about $19,608 — a small but automatic increase driven purely by the shrinking factor, not by any change in your account's actual value.
Frequently asked questions
At what age do RMDs start?
Under SECURE 2.0, the RMD starting age is 73 for most people reaching that age from 2023 onward, rising to 75 starting in 2033. Roth IRAs (unlike Roth 401(k)s) are not subject to RMDs during the original owner's lifetime.
What is the Uniform Lifetime Table?
It's the IRS table of life expectancy factors used to calculate most RMDs — your RMD equals your account balance divided by the factor for your age.
What happens if I miss my RMD?
The IRS can assess an excise tax on the amount not withdrawn — historically up to 25%, though it can be reduced if corrected promptly. Consult a tax professional if you've missed one.
Can I take my RMD anytime during the year?
Yes — there's no requirement to wait until December. Many advisors suggest taking it earlier in the year rather than risking a year-end rush, as long as it's withdrawn by the December 31 deadline (or April 1 of the following year for your very first RMD).
Does withdrawing more than my RMD count toward next year?
No — any amount withdrawn above the required minimum in one year is simply an extra distribution and does not reduce or offset next year's separately calculated RMD.
Do Roth 401(k) accounts require RMDs?
As of 2024, Roth 401(k)s are no longer subject to RMDs during the original owner's lifetime, aligning them with Roth IRA treatment — check your plan's specific rules to confirm.