RMD Calculator

Enter your account balance and age to calculate your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD). The RMD Calculator uses IRS Uniform Lifetime Table factors to determine the minimum withdrawal amount you must take from your traditional IRA or 401(k) each year. You'll see your required distribution amount, your distribution period, and a breakdown of what remains in your account after the withdrawal.

$

Enter the total value of your retirement account as of December 31 of the previous year.

years

RMDs generally begin at age 73. Enter your age as of December 31 of the current year.

Results

Required Minimum Distribution

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Distribution Period (years)

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Remaining Balance After RMD

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Effective Withdrawal Rate

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RMD vs. Remaining Balance

Results Table

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD)?

An RMD is the minimum amount the IRS requires you to withdraw each year from traditional IRAs, 401(k)s, and most other tax-deferred retirement accounts. These rules ensure that retirement savings eventually get taxed, since contributions were made on a pre-tax basis. Failure to take your RMD results in a significant tax penalty.

At what age do RMDs begin?

Under the SECURE 2.0 Act, RMDs now begin at age 73 for individuals who turn 72 after December 31, 2022. If you turned 72 before that date, your RMDs began at 72. The starting age is scheduled to increase to 75 for those born in 1960 or later.

How is the RMD amount calculated?

Your RMD is calculated by dividing your prior year-end account balance by a life expectancy factor from the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table. The factor decreases as you age, resulting in progressively larger RMDs as a percentage of your balance over time.

Can RMDs be reinvested back into an IRA or 401(k)?

No, RMDs cannot be reinvested back into an IRA or 401(k), or rolled over into another tax-deferred retirement account. However, after paying applicable taxes, you may invest the funds in a taxable brokerage account, use them for expenses, or donate them to a qualified charity as a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD).

What happens if I don't take my RMD?

If you fail to take your full RMD by the deadline, the IRS imposes a 25% excise tax on the amount not withdrawn (reduced to 10% if corrected within two years). This makes it critical to calculate and withdraw at least the minimum required amount each year.

Are Roth IRAs subject to RMDs?

Traditional Roth IRAs are not subject to RMDs during the account owner's lifetime. However, Roth 401(k) accounts were previously subject to RMDs, though the SECURE 2.0 Act eliminated RMD requirements for Roth 401(k)s starting in 2024. Inherited Roth IRAs are generally subject to distribution rules.

My spouse is more than 10 years younger than me — does that change my RMD?

Yes. If your sole beneficiary is a spouse who is more than 10 years younger than you, you may use the IRS Joint Life and Last Survivor Expectancy Table instead of the Uniform Lifetime Table. This table produces a longer distribution period, which reduces your annual RMD amount. Review IRS Publication 590-B for the exact calculation.

Do I need to take a separate RMD from each retirement account I own?

For traditional IRAs, you must calculate an RMD for each account separately, but you can aggregate and withdraw the total from one or more of your IRAs. For 401(k) and 403(b) accounts, the RMD must generally be taken separately from each plan. SEP and SIMPLE IRAs are treated like traditional IRAs for RMD aggregation purposes.

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