RMD Calculator: Find Your Required Minimum Distribution
This RMD calculator shows how much you must withdraw from your retirement account this year. A required minimum distribution (RMD) is the amount the IRS makes you take from traditional IRAs and 401(k)s once you reach age 73. Enter your prior year-end balance and age in the calculator above to get your number in seconds.
How it's calculated
The RMD calculator divides your account balance by an IRS life expectancy factor. It uses your balance as of December 31 last year and your age this year. The IRS Uniform Lifetime Table sets the distribution period for your age. At age 73, that period is 26.5.
So the math is simple: balance divided by the distribution period equals your RMD. A larger balance or a younger age raises the amount you must withdraw. The calculator above handles the table lookup for you.
A worked example
Say you are 73 with $500,000 in a traditional IRA as of December 31 last year. The IRS distribution period at age 73 is 26.5. Divide $500,000 by 26.5 and your RMD is $18,868 for the year. That works out to about $1,572 a month, or roughly 3.77% of your balance. You must withdraw at least that much by December 31 to avoid the penalty.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Missing the deadline. Most RMDs are due by December 31. Your very first RMD can wait until April 1 of the year after you turn 73, but taking two that year raises your taxable income.
- Ignoring the steep penalty. A missed RMD triggers a 25% excise tax on the amount you should have withdrawn. It drops to 10% only if you correct the shortfall within two years.
- Using the wrong balance. The RMD is based on your prior year-end balance, not your current one. Use the December 31 value from last year.
- Combining 401(k) RMDs across plans. You can total your IRA RMDs and take them from one IRA, but each 401(k) RMD must come from that specific plan.
- Forgetting Roth rules. Roth IRAs have no RMDs for the original owner, so do not withdraw from one to meet an IRA requirement.
Frequently asked questions
How does the RMD calculator work?
The RMD calculator divides your prior year-end account balance by an IRS life expectancy factor for your age. Enter your December 31 balance and your age, and it returns the minimum you must withdraw this year. At age 73 the IRS distribution period is 26.5, so a $500,000 balance produces an RMD of $18,868.
At what age do RMDs start?
RMDs start at age 73 under the SECURE Act 2.0. You must take your first distribution by April 1 of the year after you turn 73. Every RMD after that is due by December 31.
What happens if I miss my RMD?
Missing an RMD triggers a 25% excise tax on the amount you failed to withdraw. The penalty falls to 10% if you correct the shortfall promptly, generally within two years. You report and pay this tax on IRS Form 5329.
Do Roth IRAs have RMDs?
Roth IRAs have no RMDs for the original owner during their lifetime. You can leave the money invested as long as you like. This is a key reason some savers convert traditional balances to Roth accounts before age 73.
Can I combine RMDs from multiple accounts?
You can total the RMDs from all your traditional IRAs and take the full amount from just one IRA. This does not work for 401(k) plans. Each 401(k) RMD must be withdrawn separately from that specific plan.