Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) Calculator
Find your RMD from a retirement account by age.
RMDs start at 73
Results update as you type.
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How it works
Once you reach the required age, the IRS requires you to withdraw a minimum amount from most tax-deferred retirement accounts each year, and this calculator estimates that required minimum distribution. You enter your account balance as of December 31 of the prior year and your age this year, and it returns your RMD, the IRS distribution factor used, and the RMD as a percentage of your balance. The calculation divides your balance by a life-expectancy factor from the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table, the standard table for most account owners. Under current law, RMDs generally begin at age 73. Because the factor shrinks as you age, the required withdrawal grows as a share of your balance over time, starting around 3.8 percent at 73 and rising in later years. RMDs apply to traditional IRAs, 401(k)s, 403(b)s, and similar tax-deferred accounts, but not to Roth IRAs during the owner's lifetime. The purpose is to ensure the government eventually collects tax on money that grew tax-deferred, so RMDs are taxed as ordinary income. Failing to take your full RMD can trigger a significant IRS penalty, so this is an important number to get right each year. This calculator uses the standard Uniform Lifetime Table; a different table applies if your sole beneficiary is a spouse more than ten years younger. Consult the IRS or a tax professional for your exact situation. Enter your balance and age to estimate your RMD.
RMD = account balance / IRS Uniform Lifetime Table factor for your age
The required minimum distribution divides your prior-year-end account balance by a life-expectancy factor from the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table, which decreases with age. A smaller factor at older ages means a larger required withdrawal as a percentage of the balance.
Source:IRS Uniform Lifetime Table
We review all our tools from time to time to ensure accuracy.
Worked example
How to use this calculator
- 1
Enter your values
Enter account balance (dec 31 prior year) and your age this year.
- 2
Adjust the options
Fine-tune any options to match your situation.
- 3
Read your result
Required minimum distribution updates instantly as you type — no button to press.
Frequently asked questions
What is a required minimum distribution?
A required minimum distribution, or RMD, is the minimum amount you must withdraw each year from most tax-deferred retirement accounts once you reach the required age, currently 73. It ensures the government eventually taxes money that grew tax-deferred. RMDs are calculated by dividing your account balance by an IRS life-expectancy factor.
How is the RMD calculated?
Divide your account balance as of December 31 of the prior year by the life-expectancy factor for your age from the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table. For example, at age 75 the factor is 24.6, so a $500,000 balance gives an RMD of about $20,325. The calculator applies the correct factor for your age automatically.
Which accounts require RMDs?
RMDs apply to traditional IRAs, SEP and SIMPLE IRAs, 401(k)s, 403(b)s, and other tax-deferred employer plans. Roth IRAs do not require distributions during the original owner's lifetime. Each account type has its own rules for aggregating or taking RMDs, so check the specifics for your accounts or consult a tax advisor.
What happens if I don't take my RMD?
Failing to withdraw the full required amount by the deadline can trigger a substantial IRS excise tax on the shortfall, though the penalty was reduced under recent law and may be lowered further if corrected promptly. Because the penalty is significant, it is important to take at least your full RMD each year on time.
Are RMDs taxed?
Yes. Distributions from traditional tax-deferred accounts, including RMDs, are generally taxed as ordinary income in the year you take them, since the money was contributed pre-tax and grew tax-deferred. This is the point of the RMD rules. Planning withdrawals with taxes in mind, and consulting a tax professional, can help manage the tax impact.