REQUIRED MINIMUM DISTRIBUTION CALCULATOR

RMD Calculator — Required Minimum Distribution After Age 73

Free Required Minimum Distribution calculator for US retirees. Compute your RMD using the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table or Single Life Table, project future RMDs, and estimate the penalty for not taking your RMD on time.

1. Account & Personal Details

Balance on December 31 of the previous year across all IRAs and employer plans.
Age on your birthday in the distribution year.
Your RMD age depends on your birth year under SECURE 2.0.

2. Distribution Method

The Uniform Lifetime Table applies to owners. The Single Life Table applies to certain beneficiaries.

3. Tax & Projection Options

Combined federal + state marginal rate on the RMD.
Number of future RMD years to project (1–30).
Assumed growth rate of the remaining account balance after each RMD.

4. Reference & Notes

RMD ANALYSIS

Required Minimum Distribution Projection

Reference: RMD-2026-001
Date:
Account Balance $500,000.00
Current Age 73
RMD Age 73
Your RMD $18,867.92
Distribution Factor 26.5
Estimated Tax on RMD $4,150.94
Penalty if Not Taken $4,716.98

RMD Breakdown

Account Balance $500,000.00
Distribution Factor 26.5
RMD Amount $18,867.92
After-Tax RMD $14,716.98

RMD Projection

Year 1 is the first year your RMD is due. Each year's RMD grows as the balance grows and the distribution factor decreases.

⚠️
If you fail to take the full RMD, the IRS penalty is $4,716.98 (25% of the shortfall). The penalty drops to 10% if corrected within the 2-year correction window. Prior to SECURE 2.0, the penalty was 50%.

RMD Formula

RMD = Prior Year-End Balance ÷ Distribution Factor

$500,000.00 ÷ 26.5 = $18,867.92

You must withdraw at least $18,867.92 from your retirement accounts this year.

Notes

RMD calculation for retirement planning

This calculation is for informational and educational purposes. RMD rules depend on your birth year, account type, and beneficiary status. Consult a licensed tax professional or CPA before making distribution decisions.
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GUIDE

How to Use This RMD Calculator

This free RMD calculator computes your Required Minimum Distribution for the current year and projects future RMDs across your retirement horizon. Enter your prior year-end account balance, your current age, and the RMD starting age that applies to your birth year. The calculator uses the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table for account owners and the Single Life Table for beneficiary distributions. For a broader retirement plan, pair this with our Retirement Calculator and 401(k) Contribution Calculator.

1

Enter Account Balance

Prior year-end balance across all IRAs and employer-sponsored retirement plans.

2

Enter Your Age & RMD Age

Current age plus the RMD starting age that applies to your birth year under SECURE 2.0.

3

Choose Distribution Method

Uniform Lifetime Table for owners, or Single Life Table for certain beneficiaries.

4

Review RMD & Projection

See your current RMD, tax estimate, penalty, and future-year projections.

5

Save, Print or Export

Save a draft, print results, or download a PDF of the analysis for your records.

RMD EDUCATION

What Does an RMD Calculator Calculate?

An RMD calculator — also called a Required Minimum Distribution calculator or retirement withdrawal calculator — computes the minimum amount you must withdraw each year from tax-deferred retirement accounts once you reach the RMD age. The IRS RMD rules apply to Traditional IRAs, SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs, 401(k), 403(b), and most other employer-sponsored plans, but not to Roth IRAs during the owner's lifetime.

Key RMD calculations

  • RMD Amount: Prior December 31 balance ÷ the IRS distribution factor for your age.
  • Distribution Factor: From the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table (owners) or Single Life Table (beneficiaries).
  • Estimated Tax on RMD: RMD × your marginal tax rate, since RMDs are ordinary income.
  • After-Tax RMD: RMD amount minus estimated taxes.
  • Penalty for Non-Compliance: 25% of the shortfall under SECURE 2.0 (10% if corrected within the 2-year window).
  • RMD Projection: Estimated RMDs for future years, accounting for continued balance growth.

Who can use this RMD calculator?

  • Retirees Age 73+: Compute the exact RMD for the current year.
  • Pre-Retirees Age 60–72: Project the first RMD and plan tax strategy.
  • IRA Beneficiaries: Calculate Single Life Table RMDs for inherited accounts.
  • High-Net-Worth Households: Model RMD-driven tax planning, including QCDs and Roth conversions.
  • Financial Advisors and CPAs: Provide accurate client RMD estimates.
METHODOLOGY

RMD Calculator Methodology

MoneyTool uses the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table and Single Life Table as published for the 2022+ period, with correct values across ages 73 through 115+.

1. RMD formula

RMD = Prior December 31 Account Balance ÷ Distribution Factor

The prior year-end balance must be the fair market value of the account as of December 31 of the year immediately preceding the distribution year.

2. Uniform Lifetime Table (selected factors)

  • Age 73: 26.5
  • Age 75: 24.6
  • Age 80: 20.2
  • Age 85: 16.0
  • Age 90: 12.2
  • Age 95: 8.9
  • Age 100: 6.3
  • Age 110: 3.2
  • Age 115+: 2.0

3. Single Life Table (selected factors)

  • Age 60: 27.1
  • Age 70: 18.8
  • Age 73: 16.4
  • Age 80: 11.2
  • Age 90: 5.7
  • Age 100: 2.9
  • Age 115+: 1.3

4. RMD age by birth year (SECURE 2.0)

  • Born before July 1, 1949: RMD age 70.5 (historical)
  • Born July 1, 1949 – December 31, 1950: RMD age 72 (prior rule)
  • Born 1951–1959: RMD age 73
  • Born 1960 or later: RMD age 75

5. First-year RMD delay

The first RMD may be taken by April 1 of the year following the year you reach RMD age. If delayed, you take two RMDs in the following calendar year, which may push you into a higher tax bracket. The calculator assumes on-time annual RMDs.

6. Penalty for non-compliance

Under SECURE 2.0, the penalty for failing to take the full RMD is 25% of the shortfall, reduced to 10% if corrected within the two-year correction window. Prior to SECURE 2.0, the penalty was 50%.

7. Aggregation rule

RMDs are calculated separately for each IRA but may be aggregated and withdrawn from any single IRA. Employer plan RMDs (401(k), 403(b)) must be taken separately and cannot be aggregated with IRA RMDs.

Important assumptions

  • The prior year-end balance is a single input; multiple accounts must be summed by the user.
  • The distribution factor depends only on age (and method), not on the account type.
  • Future-year RMDs assume the account grows at the user-entered expected return net of the RMD withdrawal.
  • Tax rates are held constant across projection years.
  • The calculator does not model QCDs, Roth conversions, or state-specific rules.
  • This is an educational estimate, not tax advice.
E-E-A-T & SOURCES

RMD Information, Sources & Editorial Review

MoneyTool separates calculation results from financial education and personalized advice. The calculator uses the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table and Single Life Table published for the 2022+ period, and the SECURE 2.0 penalty rules.

Author and editorial responsibility

Methodology reviewed by the MoneyTool Finance Expert Team, a group of accountants, CPAs, and personal-finance analysts who maintain MoneyTool's calculator library and financial education content.

Last reviewed: | IRS Uniform Lifetime Table (2022+) + SECURE 2.0

Next review: When calculation logic, supported inputs, or relevant guidance changes.

Authoritative U.S. RMD and retirement resources

  • IRS — Retirement Topics: Required Minimum Distributions: IRS RMD Overview explains when RMDs begin, which accounts they apply to, and how the IRS calculates them.
  • IRS — Uniform Lifetime Table: IRS Publication 590-B contains the official Uniform Lifetime Table and Single Life Table used in this calculator.
  • IRS — RMD FAQs: IRS RMD FAQs answers common questions about RMD timing, penalties, and beneficiary distributions.
  • IRS — Publication 590-A (IRAs): IRS Publication 590-A covers Traditional and Roth IRA contributions, conversions, and qualified charitable distributions.
  • IRS — Notice 2022-53: IRS Notice 2022-53 provided transition relief on RMDs after the SECURE Act.
  • SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022: SECURE 2.0 Act updated RMD ages, penalties, and distribution rules for the 2023+ period.
  • SEC — Investor.gov — Retirement Plans: SEC Investor.gov: Retirement Plans provides investor education on IRAs, 401(k)s, and retirement distribution planning.
  • FINRA — Retirement Accounts: FINRA Investor Education offers practical guidance on retirement account rules and strategies.

External resources are provided for education and verification. MoneyTool is not affiliated with or endorsed by the IRS, the SEC, or FINRA.

BEST PRACTICES

Tips for RMD Planning

RMDs force taxable withdrawals and can push you into higher brackets. Careful planning around the first year, QCDs, and Roth conversions can significantly reduce the tax impact.

Plan the First RMD Year

Delay the first RMD to April 1 of the following year only if the tax savings outweigh taking two RMDs in one year.

Consider Qualified Charitable Distributions

A QCD of up to $105,000 (2024) counts toward your RMD but is excluded from taxable income.

Use Roth Conversions Before RMDs Begin

Converting to Roth in lower-income years reduces future RMDs and can lower lifetime taxes.

Withdraw RMDs Annually

Take the full RMD by December 31 each year to avoid the 25% penalty (10% if corrected in the 2-year window).

Understand Aggregation Rules

IRA RMDs may be aggregated and withdrawn from a single IRA. Employer plans cannot be aggregated with IRAs.

Consult a Tax Professional

RMD rules interact with Social Security taxes, IRMAA surcharges, and state taxes. A CPA can optimize the plan.

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LEARNING CENTER

Learn More About RMDs

Continue learning about Required Minimum Distributions, withdrawal strategies, and tax-efficient retirement planning.

RMD Guide

Everything about Required Minimum Distributions — rules, tables, timing, and penalty relief.

Retirement Withdrawal Strategies

How to sequence withdrawals across taxable, tax-deferred, and Roth accounts to reduce lifetime taxes.

Tax-Efficient Retirement Planning

Practical strategies to reduce taxes on retirement income, including QCDs and Roth conversions.
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About RMDs

What is a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD)?

A Required Minimum Distribution is the minimum amount you must withdraw each year from most tax-deferred retirement accounts once you reach the RMD age set by federal law. RMDs apply to Traditional IRAs, SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs, 401(k), 403(b), and most other employer-sponsored plans, but not to Roth IRAs during the owner's lifetime.

At what age do RMDs start?

Under SECURE 2.0, the RMD age depends on your birth year: 73 for those born between 1951 and 1959, and 75 for those born in 1960 or later. Anyone born before July 1, 1949 could use 70.5, and those born 1950–1951 could use 72 under the prior rules.

How is RMD calculated?

RMD = Prior December 31 account balance ÷ the distribution factor from the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table. The factor depends on your age for the year of the distribution. Example: A $500,000 balance at age 73 uses a factor of 26.5, giving an RMD of $18,867.92.

What is the penalty for not taking an RMD?

Under SECURE 2.0, the penalty for missing an RMD is 25% of the shortfall, reduced to 10% if corrected within a two-year correction window. Prior to SECURE 2.0 the penalty was 50%. The IRS can waive the penalty for reasonable cause.

Can I take my first RMD after the year I turn 73?

Yes. The first RMD may be delayed until April 1 of the year following the year you reach the RMD age. However, if you delay, you will take two RMDs in the following calendar year, which may push you into a higher tax bracket.

Can I use a Qualified Charitable Distribution to satisfy my RMD?

Yes. A Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) allows IRA owners age 70½ or older to donate up to $105,000 per year (2024) directly from an IRA to a qualified charity. A QCD counts toward the RMD but is excluded from taxable income, which can be more tax-efficient than taking the RMD and claiming a charitable deduction.

Is this RMD calculator free?

Yes. MoneyTool provides this RMD calculator free for educational and planning use.

Can I save my RMD analysis?

Yes. Save Draft stores the calculator inputs in your browser. Print Results and Download PDF can be used to keep a copy of the displayed analysis.

LEGAL

RMD Calculator Disclaimer

This RMD calculator provides estimates for informational and educational purposes. It does not constitute tax, legal, accounting, or financial advice. RMD rules depend on your birth year, account type, beneficiary status, and jurisdiction. Actual RMD amounts are determined using the IRS tables and your plan administrator's records.

  • Estimates only: Results depend on the inputs and assumptions described in the methodology.
  • Not tax advice: Consult a licensed CPA or tax professional for your specific situation.
  • RMD age varies by birth year: Confirm your applicable RMD age under SECURE 2.0.
  • Multiple accounts: Sum all IRAs and employer plans correctly when entering the balance.
Last methodology review: . Calculator logic and educational content should be reviewed again whenever the methodology, supported inputs, or relevant external guidance changes.