RMD Calculator

An RMD is the minimum amount the IRS requires you to withdraw each year from most tax-deferred retirement accounts once you reach a set age. The rule applies to Traditional IRAs, SEP and SIMPLE IRAs, 401(k)s, 403(b)s, and most other employer-sponsored plans. Roth IRAs do not require lifetime RMDs from the original owner. The formula is the prior year-end account balance divided by a life expectancy factor from an IRS table.

The applicable age depends on birth year. It is 73 for someone born from 1951 through 1959 and 75 for someone born in 1960 or later. Earlier birth cohorts follow the prior ages. The first distribution can generally be delayed until April 1 of the following year, which can create two taxable RMDs in that year. Employer-plan exceptions and inherited-account rules can differ, so confirm the deadline for the account.

RMD equals your prior year-end account balance divided by the life expectancy factor from the applicable IRS table. Most owners use the Uniform Lifetime Table. If your sole-beneficiary spouse is more than 10 years younger, use the Joint Life and Last Survivor Table instead. For example, the Uniform Lifetime factor at age 75 is 24.6, so a $400,000 balance produces a $16,260 RMD.

It uses the Uniform Lifetime Table from IRS Publication 590-B for most account owners. If your spouse is your sole beneficiary and is more than 10 years younger, enter your spouse's age and the calculator uses the Joint Life and Last Survivor Table instead.

Missing an RMD or taking less than required triggers an IRS excise tax. SECURE 2.0 lowered the penalty from 50 percent to 25 percent of the shortfall, and it drops to 10 percent if you correct the missed withdrawal within a defined window and file Form 5329. Even with the lower penalty, the cheapest path is to take the full RMD on time. If you hold multiple IRAs, you can total the RMD across them and withdraw from any one; 401(k) and 403(b) RMDs must be calculated and taken from each plan separately.