Calculation details
Planning estimate only, not financial, tax, or legal advice. Verify assumptions and current rules before making decisions.
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Use this result
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What does this calculator estimate?
A required minimum distribution (RMD) calculator shows the minimum you must withdraw from a tax-deferred retirement account each year after a certain age. Enter your account balance and age to see your RMD for the year.
- RMD = account balance ÷ IRS life-expectancy factor
- RMDs start at age 73 (SECURE 2.0)
- Missing an RMD triggers a 25% penalty (10% if corrected promptly)
What an RMD is
Once you reach a certain age, the IRS requires you to withdraw a minimum amount each year from tax-deferred accounts (traditional IRAs, 401(k)s, 403(b)s) so the tax deferral eventually ends. The amount is your balance divided by an IRS life-expectancy factor.
Limitations to watch for
The factor table here covers common ages; the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table has a factor for every age and updates periodically. Roth IRAs have no RMDs during the owner's lifetime. If you have multiple IRAs, the IRS lets you total the RMDs and withdraw from one — but 401(k)-style plans have their own rules.
How to use it in practice
Use the estimate to budget required withdrawals and their tax impact. Withdraw at least the RMD by December 31 each year; the penalty for missing it is steep. Consider whether to withdraw more than the minimum for tax planning.
['Enter the account balance at year-end.', 'Enter your age this year.', 'The tool divides by the IRS factor to estimate the annual RMD.']
What RMDs are
Required minimum distributions are the annual withdrawals the IRS requires from retirement accounts after a certain age — currently 73, rising to 75 for later cohorts. The amount is the prior year-end balance divided by a life-expectancy factor from the IRS tables.
The calculation
RMD = account balance (Dec 31 of last year) ÷ distribution period from the IRS uniform lifetime table. A $500,000 balance at age 75 has a factor around 22.9, giving an RMD of about $21,800. The calculator applies the factor for the age you enter.
Missing an RMD is expensive
The penalty for missing an RMD is 25 percent of the amount not withdrawn (reducible to 10 percent if corrected quickly). Missing a $21,800 RMD can cost $5,450. The calculator's clear annual number makes compliance straightforward.
Which accounts require RMDs
Traditional IRAs, 401(k)s, 403(b)s, and other pre-tax retirement accounts require RMDs. Roth IRAs do not during the owner's lifetime. Inherited accounts follow different rules with their own schedules.
A worked example
At 73 with a $600,000 traditional IRA, the factor is about 26.5: RMD ≈ $22,600 for the year. The calculator returns the amount so the withdrawal can be scheduled before the deadline.
How this calculator works
Formula
RMD = account balance ÷ IRS life-expectancy factor. The tool uses the Uniform Lifetime Table factors: 26.5 at age 73, 24.6 at 75, 22.0 at 78, 20.2 at 80, 16.8 at 85, and 12.9 at 90 (falls back to 24.6 for other ages).
Worked example
A $500,000 traditional IRA at age 73: RMD = $500,000 ÷ 26.5 ≈ $18,867.92 for the year.
Assumptions to verify
- The IRS Uniform Lifetime Table factor for the entered age is used.
- The balance is the prior year-end account value.
- No spousal or inherited-account table applies.
Frequently asked questions
What is an RMD?
A required minimum distribution is the annual minimum amount the IRS requires you to withdraw from tax-deferred retirement accounts once you reach a specified age, so the deferred taxes are eventually paid.
When do RMDs start?
Under SECURE 2.0, RMDs begin at age 73 for those who turn 73 after 2022 (rising to 75 for those born in 1960 or later). Confirm your exact required beginning date.
How is the RMD calculated?
Divide your prior year-end account balance by the IRS life-expectancy factor for your age. For example, $500,000 ÷ 26.5 at age 73 ≈ $18,868.
What happens if I miss an RMD?
You owe a 25% excise tax on the amount not withdrawn — reduced to 10% if you correct it promptly (within two years).
Do Roth accounts have RMDs?
No. Roth IRAs have no RMDs during the owner's lifetime, which is one reason they're useful for retirement tax planning.
Can I take one RMD from several accounts?
For IRAs, yes — you can aggregate and take the total RMD from one account. For 401(k)s and 403(b)s, each plan generally requires its own RMD.
Can I withdraw more than the minimum?
Yes — you can always withdraw more. The RMD is a floor, not a cap, and larger withdrawals may make sense for tax planning.
How is it calculated?
Prior year-end balance ÷ the IRS life-expectancy factor for your age.
What is the penalty for missing one?
25% of the missed amount (10% if corrected quickly).
Do Roth IRAs have RMDs?
Not during the owner's lifetime — traditional accounts do.
Cite this tool
BoringToolsKit. “RMD Calculator.” boringtoolskit.com/rmd-calculator/ (reviewed 2026-08-25). Free to reference in articles, syllabi, and answer posts with a link.
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