Enter your details below to estimate your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) for your traditional IRA or 401(k).
Enter the total value of your IRA/401(k) as of December 31st of the previous year.
You are generally required to start RMDs at age 73 (or 72 if born between 1947-1950, or 70.5 if born before 1947).
Joint Life and Last Survivor Expectancy
Uniform Lifetime Table
Select the appropriate IRS table. The Uniform Lifetime table is most common unless your spouse is more than 10 years younger and is the sole beneficiary.
Your Estimated RMD
—
Previous Year Balance: —
Applicable RMD Factor: —
Current Age: —
Key Assumptions:
Starting Balance: —
Age: —
RMD Factor Source: —
Formula: RMD = (Beginning of Year Account Balance) / (Applicable RMD Life Expectancy Factor)
IRS RMD Life Expectancy Factors
Below are excerpts from the IRS Uniform Lifetime and Joint Life tables. The calculator uses these factors based on your age and selection.
Age
Uniform Lifetime Table Factor
Joint Life & Last Survivor Table Factor (Example – Age 73 Owner)
72
36.2
51.1 (if beneficiary is 62)
73
35.3
50.2 (if beneficiary is 63)
74
34.4
49.2 (if beneficiary is 64)
75
33.5
48.3 (if beneficiary is 65)
76
32.6
47.4 (if beneficiary is 66)
77
31.8
46.5 (if beneficiary is 67)
78
30.9
45.6 (if beneficiary is 68)
79
30.1
44.7 (if beneficiary is 69)
80
29.2
43.8 (if beneficiary is 70)
81
28.4
42.9 (if beneficiary is 71)
82
27.6
42.0 (if beneficiary is 72)
83
26.7
41.1 (if beneficiary is 73)
84
25.9
40.3 (if beneficiary is 74)
85
25.1
39.4 (if beneficiary is 75)
86
24.3
38.6 (if beneficiary is 76)
87
23.5
37.8 (if beneficiary is 77)
88
22.8
37.0 (if beneficiary is 78)
89
22.0
36.2 (if beneficiary is 79)
90
21.2
35.4 (if beneficiary is 80)
91
20.5
34.6 (if beneficiary is 81)
92
19.8
33.8 (if beneficiary is 82)
93
19.1
33.1 (if beneficiary is 83)
94
18.4
32.3 (if beneficiary is 84)
95
17.7
31.6 (if beneficiary is 85)
96
17.0
30.9 (if beneficiary is 86)
97
16.3
30.2 (if beneficiary is 87)
98
15.7
29.5 (if beneficiary is 88)
99
15.0
28.8 (if beneficiary is 89)
100
14.4
28.1 (if beneficiary is 90)
101
13.8
27.5 (if beneficiary is 91)
102
13.2
26.8 (if beneficiary is 92)
103
12.6
26.2 (if beneficiary is 93)
104
12.0
25.6 (if beneficiary is 94)
105
11.5
25.0 (if beneficiary is 95)
106
11.0
24.4 (if beneficiary is 96)
107
10.5
23.8 (if beneficiary is 97)
108
10.0
23.2 (if beneficiary is 98)
109
9.6
22.7 (if beneficiary is 99)
110
9.2
22.1 (if beneficiary is 100)
111
8.8
21.6 (if beneficiary is 101)
112
8.4
21.1 (if beneficiary is 102)
113
8.1
20.6 (if beneficiary is 103)
114
7.7
20.1 (if beneficiary is 104)
115
7.4
19.7 (if beneficiary is 105)
116
7.1
19.3 (if beneficiary is 106)
117
6.8
18.9 (if beneficiary is 107)
118
6.5
18.5 (if beneficiary is 108)
119
6.2
18.1 (if beneficiary is 109)
120
5.9
17.7 (if beneficiary is 110)
121
5.7
17.4 (if beneficiary is 111)
122
5.4
17.0 (if beneficiary is 112)
123
5.2
16.7 (if beneficiary is 113)
124
5.0
16.4 (if beneficiary is 114)
125+
4.8
16.1 (if beneficiary is 115+)
RMD Projection Over Time
See how your RMD and account balance might change over the next 10 years, assuming a hypothetical growth rate.
Estimated RMD Amount
Projected Account Balance
Understanding and calculating your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) is a crucial part of retirement planning. This IRA RMD calculator table is designed to simplify the process, providing clarity on how much you need to withdraw annually from your tax-deferred retirement accounts. Failing to take the correct RMD can result in significant penalties, making accurate calculation and timely withdrawal essential. Our tool helps you stay compliant and make informed decisions about your retirement income.
What is an IRA RMD?
An IRA RMD, or Required Minimum Distribution, refers to the annual amount that individuals must withdraw from certain tax-deferred retirement accounts, such as traditional IRAs, SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs, and 401(k) plans. The primary purpose of RMD rules is to ensure that individuals begin paying income taxes on the retirement savings that have grown tax-deferred. These withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income in the year they are taken.
Who should use an IRA RMD calculator table?
Anyone who owns a traditional IRA, SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA, or has a 401(k), 403(b), or other qualified retirement plan.
Individuals who have reached the RMD age, which is currently 73 for those born between 1951 and 1959, and 75 for those born in 1960 or later. Those born earlier may have different RMD ages.
Retirees looking to project their retirement income and understand their tax liabilities.
Beneficiaries who have inherited an IRA and are subject to RMD rules.
Common misconceptions about IRA RMDs:
Roth IRAs: Roth IRAs do not have RMDs for the original owner. Only beneficiaries inheriting Roth IRAs may be subject to RMD rules.
Required Withdrawal Age: The age for starting RMDs has changed over time due to legislation like the SECURE Act and SECURE 2.0 Act. It's important to know the correct age based on your birth year.
Penalty-Free Withdrawals: While RMDs are mandatory, not all withdrawals from IRAs are subject to RMD rules. Specific circumstances might allow for penalty-free withdrawals before RMD age.
Only IRAs: RMD rules apply not just to IRAs but also to 401(k)s, 403(b)s, and other employer-sponsored retirement plans. However, RMDs from 401(k)s can often be deferred while you are still employed by the company sponsoring the plan (unless you own 5% or more).
IRA RMD Formula and Mathematical Explanation
The calculation of your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) is based on a straightforward formula provided by the IRS. It involves dividing your account balance at the end of the previous year by a "life expectancy factor" determined by your age and the IRS-provided tables.
The core formula is:
RMD = (Account Balance on December 31st of Prior Year) / (Life Expectancy Factor)
Let's break down the variables:
Variable
Meaning
Unit
Typical Range
Account Balance on December 31st of Prior Year
The total value of your IRA or qualified retirement plan at the end of the calendar year preceding the RMD year.
Currency (e.g., $)
$10,000 – $5,000,000+
Life Expectancy Factor
A number found in IRS Publication 590-B tables (Uniform Lifetime Table or Joint Life and Last Survivor Expectancy Table) corresponding to the account owner's age.
Unitless (a numerical factor)
4.8 – 51.1 (Based on IRS tables)
Your Current Age
The age of the account owner during the year for which the RMD is being calculated.
Years
73 – 120+
RMD
Required Minimum Distribution. The minimum amount that must be withdrawn annually.
Currency (e.g., $)
Calculated value based on inputs
Explanation of IRS Tables:
Uniform Lifetime Table: This is the most commonly used table. It applies if you are calculating your own RMD and your sole primary beneficiary is your spouse who is more than 10 years younger than you.
Joint Life and Last Survivor Expectancy Table: This table is used if your spouse is the sole beneficiary of your IRA and is more than 10 years younger than you. You would use the age of the older person and the age of the beneficiary to find the factor. If you have multiple beneficiaries or a beneficiary who is not more than 10 years younger, you typically revert to the Uniform Lifetime Table.
The factors in these tables represent the number of years you are expected to live, effectively spreading your distributions over your projected lifespan. The older you get, the smaller the factor becomes, resulting in a larger RMD.
Practical Examples (Real-World Use Cases)
Example 1: Standard RMD Calculation
Scenario: Sarah, age 75, has a traditional IRA with a balance of $600,000 on December 31st of the previous year. Her spouse, who is 68, is her sole beneficiary.
Calculation:
Sarah's age: 75
Account Balance: $600,000
Beneficiary is not more than 10 years younger, so Sarah uses the Uniform Lifetime Table.
Looking up age 75 in the Uniform Lifetime Table, the factor is 33.5.
RMD = $600,000 / 33.5
Result: Sarah's estimated RMD for the year is approximately $17,910.45. She must withdraw at least this amount by December 31st.
Interpretation: Sarah needs to plan to withdraw nearly $18,000 from her IRA, which will be taxed as ordinary income. This impacts her overall retirement cash flow and tax planning.
Example 2: Using the Joint Life Table
Scenario: David, age 73, has a traditional IRA with a balance of $850,000 on December 31st of the previous year. His sole beneficiary is his wife, Emily, who is 61.
Calculation:
David's age: 73
Emily's age: 61
Difference: 12 years (Emily is more than 10 years younger)
Account Balance: $850,000
Since Emily is more than 10 years younger and is the sole beneficiary, David uses the Joint Life and Last Survivor Expectancy Table.
Looking up the factor for age 73 and beneficiary age 61 in the table (this often requires interpolation or careful reading of a full table if not presented), let's assume the factor is approximately 40.5.
RMD = $850,000 / 40.5
Result: David's estimated RMD for the year is approximately $20,987.65.
Interpretation: David's RMD is lower than it would be using the Uniform Lifetime Table (which would be $850,000 / 35.3 ≈ $24,079.32). This allows him to keep more money in his IRA while still satisfying the RMD requirement. He still needs to ensure this amount is withdrawn and reported as income.
How to Use This IRA RMD Calculator Table
Our IRA RMD calculator table is designed for ease of use. Follow these simple steps:
Enter Beginning of Year Account Balance: Input the total value of your traditional IRA or 401(k) as of December 31st of the prior year. This is a critical input for the calculation.
Enter Your Current Age: Provide your age for the current year. Remember to use the correct RMD starting age based on your birth year.
Select Life Expectancy Table: Choose "Uniform Lifetime Table" unless your spouse is your sole beneficiary and more than 10 years younger than you, in which case you would select "Joint Life and Last Survivor Expectancy."
Click "Calculate RMD": The calculator will instantly display your estimated RMD.
How to read the results:
Estimated RMD: This is the minimum amount you must withdraw from your account by December 31st of the current year.
Previous Year Balance: This confirms the account balance input used in the calculation.
Applicable RMD Factor: This shows the specific life expectancy factor derived from the IRS table you selected.
Current Age: Confirms the age used for the calculation.
Key Assumptions: Summarizes the main inputs used, serving as a quick reference.
Decision-making guidance:
Withdrawal Timing: While the RMD must be taken by year-end, you can take it in smaller installments throughout the year or as a lump sum.
Tax Implications: Remember that RMDs are generally taxed as ordinary income. Factor this into your overall tax planning.
First-Year RMD: If this is your first year taking an RMD, you have until April 1st of the *following* year to take it. However, you will still need to take your *second* year's RMD by December 31st of that year, potentially leading to two withdrawals in one year.
Consider Professional Advice: For complex situations, such as inherited IRAs or multiple beneficiaries, consult with a financial advisor or tax professional.
Key Factors That Affect IRA RMD Results
Several factors influence the amount of your Required Minimum Distribution:
Account Balance: This is the most direct factor. A larger account balance on December 31st of the prior year will result in a higher RMD, assuming the same life expectancy factor. Regular contributions, investment growth, or significant withdrawals in prior years will impact this balance.
Age of the Account Owner: As you get older, your life expectancy factor decreases, meaning the denominator in the RMD formula gets smaller. This leads to a larger RMD amount each year. The RMD rules have specific starting ages based on birth year (e.g., 73 or 75).
Life Expectancy Table Used: The choice between the Uniform Lifetime Table and the Joint Life and Last Survivor Expectancy Table can significantly alter the RMD. If your spouse is more than 10 years younger and your sole beneficiary, using the Joint Life table generally results in a lower RMD because it factors in their longer life expectancy.
Beneficiary Designation: While the calculator primarily focuses on the owner's RMD, beneficiary designations are crucial. The rules for inherited IRAs are complex and depend on the beneficiary's relationship to the deceased and their own age. The calculation for beneficiaries differs significantly from the owner's calculation.
Investment Performance and Contribution Strategy: While RMD calculation uses the balance as of Dec 31st, how the account grows or shrinks impacts future RMDs. Aggressive growth might increase future RMDs, while poor performance or substantial withdrawals could decrease them.
Withdrawal Strategy: Deciding *when* to take the RMD during the year and whether to take it in installments or as a lump sum affects cash flow. More importantly, taking distributions in excess of the RMD can be done if desired, but the RMD itself is the minimum required amount.
Tax Bracket and Income Needs: RMDs are taxable income. Your current tax bracket and your overall income needs in retirement dictate how much impact the RMD will have on your finances. Planning around RMDs is essential for tax efficiency.
Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs): For those age 70½ and older, QCDs allow you to satisfy your RMD by donating directly from your IRA to a qualified charity. This amount is excluded from your taxable income, effectively reducing your tax liability even though it fulfills the RMD requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What happens if I don't take my RMD?
A1: If you fail to withdraw the full RMD amount by the deadline, you face a substantial penalty. The IRS can impose a 25% excise tax on the amount that was not withdrawn. This penalty may be reduced to 10% if you correct the mistake promptly (i.e., take the RMD and file for a waiver). For subsequent failures, the IRS may impose the 25% tax.
Q2: Can I take my RMD early in the year?
A2: Yes, you can take your RMD at any point during the calendar year. However, you must withdraw the full calculated amount by December 31st. Many people choose to take it early to avoid forgetting or to manage their cash flow.
Q3: Do I have to take RMDs from a Roth IRA?
A3: No, the original owner of a Roth IRA is not required to take RMDs during their lifetime. Roth IRAs grow tax-free and withdrawals in retirement are also tax-free (provided certain conditions are met). However, beneficiaries who inherit a Roth IRA generally must take RMDs.
Q4: How is the life expectancy factor determined?
A4: The life expectancy factor is determined by your age and the IRS's official life expectancy tables, found in IRS Publication 590-B, Distributions from Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs). The most common table is the Uniform Lifetime Table. A different table, the Joint Life and Last Survivor Expectancy Table, is used in specific circumstances involving a spouse beneficiary who is more than 10 years younger.
Q5: Can I use the RMD calculator for my 401(k)?
A5: Yes, the RMD calculation formula is the same for 401(k)s and other qualified employer-sponsored plans as it is for traditional IRAs. The balance used should be the balance as of December 31st of the previous year. However, remember that you can often delay RMDs from your current employer's 401(k) as long as you are still employed there (unless you own 5% or more of the business).
Q6: What if I have multiple IRAs?
A6: If you have multiple traditional IRAs, you must calculate the RMD for each IRA separately, using the account balance and factor for that specific IRA. However, you can then withdraw the total RMD amount from any one or combination of your traditional IRAs. For 401(k)s, SEP IRAs, and SIMPLE IRAs, you must calculate and withdraw the RMD from each plan separately.
Q7: How does my spouse's age affect my RMD?
A7: If your spouse is your sole beneficiary and is more than 10 years younger than you, you can use the Joint Life and Last Survivor Expectancy Table. This table generally provides a longer life expectancy factor, resulting in a lower RMD for you. If your spouse is not more than 10 years younger, or is not your sole beneficiary, you typically must use the Uniform Lifetime Table.
Q8: What is the penalty for a missed RMD?
A8: The penalty for failing to take a Required Minimum Distribution is a 25% excise tax on the amount that should have been withdrawn. This tax applies to the amount not distributed by the deadline. The IRS may reduce the penalty to 10% if the failure is corrected in a timely manner. It is crucial to avoid missing RMDs due to the severity of the penalty.