*Note: The SECURE Act 2.0 changed rules for non-spouse beneficiaries after 2019.
Your Estimated Results
function calculateInheritedRMD() {
var balance = parseFloat(document.getElementById('iraBalance').value);
var age = parseInt(document.getElementById('beneficiaryAge').value);
var type = document.getElementById('iraType').value;
var resultDiv = document.getElementById('rmdResult');
var amountDisplay = document.getElementById('rmdAmountDisplay');
var factorDisplay = document.getElementById('factorDisplay');
var ruleInfo = document.getElementById('ruleInfo');
if (isNaN(balance) || isNaN(age) || balance <= 0 || age <= 0) {
alert("Please enter valid positive numbers for balance and age.");
return;
}
// IRS Table I (Single Life Expectancy) Simplified Reference
var lifeExpectancyTable = {
0: 84.6, 1: 83.7, 2: 82.8, 3: 81.8, 4: 80.8, 5: 79.8, 10: 74.9, 15: 70.0,
20: 65.0, 21: 64.1, 22: 63.1, 23: 62.1, 24: 61.2, 25: 60.2, 26: 59.2, 27: 58.2, 28: 57.3, 29: 56.3,
30: 55.3, 31: 54.4, 32: 53.4, 33: 52.5, 34: 51.5, 35: 50.5, 36: 49.6, 37: 48.6, 38: 47.7, 39: 46.7,
40: 45.7, 41: 44.8, 42: 43.8, 43: 42.9, 44: 41.9, 45: 41.0, 46: 40.0, 47: 39.0, 48: 38.1, 49: 37.1,
50: 36.2, 51: 35.3, 52: 34.3, 53: 33.4, 54: 32.5, 55: 31.6, 56: 30.6, 57: 29.8, 58: 28.9, 59: 28.0,
60: 27.1, 61: 26.2, 62: 25.4, 63: 24.5, 64: 23.7, 65: 22.9, 66: 22.0, 67: 21.2, 68: 20.4, 69: 19.6,
70: 18.8, 71: 18.0, 72: 17.2, 73: 16.4, 74: 15.6, 75: 14.8, 76: 14.1, 77: 13.3, 78: 12.6, 79: 11.9,
80: 11.2, 81: 10.5, 82: 9.9, 83: 9.3, 84: 8.7, 85: 8.1, 86: 7.6, 87: 7.1, 88: 6.6, 89: 6.1,
90: 5.7, 91: 5.3, 92: 4.9, 93: 4.6, 94: 4.3, 95: 4.0, 100: 2.8, 110: 1.5, 120: 1.1
};
// Function to interpolate or find closest factor
function getFactor(age) {
if (age 120) return 1.1;
if (lifeExpectancyTable[age]) return lifeExpectancyTable[age];
// Fallback for missing keys between anchors
var keys = Object.keys(lifeExpectancyTable).map(Number).sort(function(a, b){return a-b});
for (var i = 0; i age) {
return lifeExpectancyTable[keys[i-1]];
}
}
return 1.1;
}
var factor = getFactor(age);
var rmd;
if (type === "tenYear") {
rmd = 0; // Standard 10-year rule often requires no annual RMD but full withdrawal by year 10
amountDisplay.innerHTML = "$0.00*";
factorDisplay.innerHTML = "Method: 10-Year Rule";
ruleInfo.innerHTML = "*Under the SECURE Act, most non-eligible designated beneficiaries who inherit after 2019 are subject to the 10-year rule. While annual distributions might not be required depending on the original owner's age at death, the entire account must be emptied by the end of the 10th year following the year of death.";
} else {
rmd = balance / factor;
amountDisplay.innerHTML = "$" + rmd.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
factorDisplay.innerHTML = "IRS Life Expectancy Factor: " + factor;
ruleInfo.innerHTML = "This calculation uses the IRS Single Life Expectancy Table (Table I) typically used by 'Eligible Designated Beneficiaries' such as minor children, chronically ill, or disabled individuals, or those not more than 10 years younger than the deceased.";
}
resultDiv.style.display = 'block';
}
How the Inherited IRA RMD Calculator Works
Calculating the Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) for an inherited IRA is significantly more complex than calculating it for your own retirement account. The rules shifted dramatically with the passing of the SECURE Act in 2019 and subsequent IRS clarifications. This calculator helps you estimate your annual obligation based on current IRS Single Life Expectancy tables.
Key Factors in the Calculation
Account Balance: You must use the fair market value of the account as of December 31st of the previous year.
Beneficiary Age: For the life expectancy method, you use your age at the end of the current calendar year.
IRS Table I: Unlike standard RMDs which use the Uniform Lifetime Table, inherited IRAs utilize the Single Life Expectancy Table, which results in larger required distributions because it is based on only one life.
The "10-Year Rule" vs. "Life Expectancy"
Since 2020, most non-spouse beneficiaries (like adult children) fall under the 10-Year Rule. This rule generally requires the entire account to be distributed by December 31 of the tenth year following the year of the owner's death.
However, if the original owner had already reached their Required Beginning Date (RBD), the IRS has recently proposed that beneficiaries must also take annual distributions during years 1 through 9, based on their life expectancy, before emptying the account in year 10.
Example Calculation
Suppose you are an "Eligible Designated Beneficiary" who inherited an IRA valued at $100,000 on December 31 last year. You will turn 50 this year.
Look up the IRS Factor for age 50: 36.2.
Divide the balance by the factor: $100,000 / 36.2.
Your RMD for the year: $2,762.43.
Important Deadlines
Generally, you must take your first inherited RMD by December 31 of the year following the year the original owner died. Failure to take an RMD can result in a steep IRS excise tax, currently 25% (potentially reduced to 10% if corrected quickly) of the amount that should have been withdrawn.
Disclaimer: Tax laws regarding inherited IRAs are subject to change. This calculator is for educational purposes only. Always consult with a tax professional or financial advisor before making distribution decisions.