RMD Calculator
Required Minimum Distribution from traditional IRA / 401k by age.
Required Minimum Distribution
$18,868
Missing an RMD = 25% penalty (down from 50% under SECURE 2.0). Roth IRAs have no RMDs in your lifetime; Roth 401(k) RMDs eliminated starting 2024.
A Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) is the amount the IRS requires you to withdraw each year from most tax-deferred retirement accounts once you reach a certain age. The rules exist so that pre-tax savings do not grow tax-deferred forever.
Under SECURE 2.0, the RMD start age is 73 for people who reach 72 after 2022, and it is scheduled to rise to 75 beginning in 2033. RMDs apply to traditional IRAs and most employer plans such as 401(k) and 403(b) accounts.
This calculator estimates your RMD from your prior year-end balance and your age, using the IRS life expectancy factor. It is a starting point; your custodian reports the exact figure each year.
How this calculator works
The RMD equals your account balance as of December 31 of the prior year divided by a life expectancy factor from the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table for your age. For example, at age 73 the factor is 26.5, so a $500,000 balance produces an RMD of $500,000 / 26.5, or about $18,868. The factor shrinks each year as you age, so the required percentage of the account rises over time: it is roughly 3.8% at 73 and climbs steadily in later years. A separate Joint Life table applies if your sole beneficiary is a spouse more than 10 years younger.
What affects the number
- Start age: 73 for those reaching 72 after 2022, rising to 75 in 2033 under SECURE 2.0.
- Prior year-end balance: the RMD is based on the account value on December 31 of the previous year, not the current balance.
- The correct IRS table: most people use the Uniform Lifetime Table; the Joint Life table applies when a spouse more than 10 years younger is the sole beneficiary.
- Account type: Roth IRAs have no RMDs for the original owner, and Roth 401(k)s no longer require RMDs starting in 2024.
- Multiple accounts: IRA RMDs can be totaled and taken from any one IRA, but each 401(k) generally must pay out its own RMD separately.
- The penalty: missing an RMD triggers a 25% excise tax on the shortfall, reduced to 10% if you correct it within the IRS timeframe.
Frequently asked questions
At what age do RMDs start?
For anyone who reaches age 72 after 2022, RMDs begin at age 73 under SECURE 2.0. The start age is scheduled to increase to 75 beginning in 2033. Your first RMD can be delayed until April 1 of the year after you turn 73, but doing so means taking two distributions in that year.
How is my RMD calculated?
Divide your account balance as of December 31 of the prior year by the IRS life expectancy factor for your age. Most people use the Uniform Lifetime Table. For example, a $400,000 balance at age 75, where the factor is 24.6, gives an RMD of about $16,260.
Do Roth accounts require RMDs?
Roth IRAs have no required minimum distributions during the original owner's lifetime. Starting in 2024, Roth 401(k) accounts also no longer require RMDs for the owner. This is one reason Roth accounts are valuable for leaving money invested longer or passing it to heirs.
What happens if I miss an RMD?
Missing an RMD triggers a penalty of 25% of the amount you failed to withdraw. If you correct the shortfall promptly, generally within two years, the penalty drops to 10%. You can also request a waiver from the IRS by taking the missed distribution and filing Form 5329 with an explanation.
Can I take my RMD from just one account?
It depends on the account type. If you have several traditional IRAs, you can add up their RMDs and withdraw the total from any one of them. Employer plans like 401(k)s are different: each plan generally must distribute its own RMD separately.
This calculator provides general estimates for educational purposes only and is not financial, tax, or investment advice. Your actual results depend on your specific situation, tax rules, market returns, and the current year's IRS limits.