RMD Calculator
Required Minimum Distribution
Results
| Required Minimum Distribution | — |
|---|---|
| Distribution Period | — |
| RMD as % of Balance | — |
How to Use This RMD Calculator
RMD season catches people off guard every January—you need last year's ending balance and this year's age factor, or the IRS penalty math gets expensive. This calculator applies the Uniform Lifetime Table the way tax preparers do for standard IRA and 401(k) owners.
- Enter account balance as of December 31. Prior-year-end balance of the IRA or 401(k) subject to RMDs.
- Enter your age this year. Must be 72 or older under current SECURE Act rules modeled here.
- Press Calculate. Review required minimum distribution, distribution period (life expectancy factor), and RMD as % of balance.
Project account growth before RMD age with the IRA Calculator or 401K Calculator, and fold withdrawals into the Retirement Calculator.
RMD Formulas and Practical Applications
RMDs force taxable dollars out of tax-deferred accounts so the IRS collects revenue. The divisor shrinks as you age, so the same balance produces a larger required withdrawal each year if the account stays flat.
Core formula
RMD = Prior Dec 31 Balance / Distribution Period
Balance $500,000 at age 73 → distribution period 26.5 years → RMD ≈ $18,868 (3.77% of balance). At age 80 with the same balance, period 20.2 → RMD ≈ $24,752.
Planning note
RMDs stack on top of Social Security and pension income—often pushing retirees into higher marginal brackets. Modeling after-tax IRA value in the IRA Calculator plus RMD amounts here helps avoid surprise tax bills.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is RMD calculated?
Required Minimum Distribution equals the prior December 31 account balance divided by the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table distribution period for your current age.
What age do RMDs start?
This calculator requires age 72 or older, consistent with SECURE Act rules. Enter your age for the current distribution year.
Which balance should I enter?
Enter the account balance as of December 31 of the prior year—the same figure IRS rules use for the current year's RMD.
Can I withdraw more than the RMD?
Yes. The RMD is the minimum required. You may take larger distributions, which may increase future RMDs by reducing balance.
Does Roth IRA require RMDs?
Original Roth IRA owners generally have no lifetime RMDs. Inherited accounts and other retirement accounts follow different rules not modeled here.