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Calculate your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from retirement accounts using IRS life expectancy tables. Avoid penalties and plan your withdrawals.
RMDs start at age 73 (born 1951-1959) or 75 (born 1960+)
Required withdrawal for 73
IRS Uniform Lifetime Table
If taken monthly
If taken quarterly
25% excise tax on amount not withdrawn
At 22% tax bracket
RMD Age: 73 for those born 1951-1959, 75 for those born 1960 or later
Deadline: December 31st each year (April 1st for first RMD)
Penalty: 25% excise tax on amount not withdrawn (reduced to 10% if corrected)
Roth IRA: No RMDs during owner's lifetime
Multiple Accounts: Calculate RMD separately for each account
A Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) is the minimum amount you must withdraw from your retirement accounts each year once you reach a certain age. The IRS requires these withdrawals to ensure that tax-deferred retirement savings are eventually taxed.
RMDs apply to Traditional IRAs, 401(k)s, 403(b)s, 457(b)s, SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs, and other defined contribution plans. Roth IRAs do not require RMDs during the owner's lifetime.
RMD = Account Balance ÷ Life Expectancy Factor
Step 1: Determine your account balance as of December 31 of the previous year.
Step 2: Find your life expectancy factor from the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table based on your age.
Step 3: Divide your account balance by the life expectancy factor to get your RMD.
| Age | Distribution Period | Age | Distribution Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| 72 | 27.4 | 82 | 18.5 |
| 73 | 26.5 | 83 | 17.7 |
| 74 | 25.5 | 84 | 16.8 |
| 75 | 24.6 | 85 | 16 |
| 76 | 23.7 | 86 | 15.2 |
| 77 | 22.9 | 87 | 14.4 |
| 78 | 22 | 88 | 13.7 |
| 79 | 21.1 | 89 | 12.9 |
| 80 | 20.2 | 90 | 12.2 |
| 81 | 19.4 | 91 | 11.5 |
RMDs start at age 73
RMDs start at age 75
Must be taken by April 1st of the year following the year you turn 73 (or 75)
Must be taken by December 31st each year
25% excise tax on the amount not withdrawn (can be reduced to 10% if corrected within 2 years)
Donate up to $100,000 directly from your IRA to charity. This counts toward your RMD but isn't included in taxable income.
Convert Traditional IRA funds to Roth IRA before reaching RMD age. Roth IRAs have no RMDs during your lifetime.
Take distributions in years with lower income to minimize tax brackets. Consider taking more than the minimum if beneficial.
If still working past RMD age, you may be able to delay RMDs from your current employer's 401(k) plan.
If you fail to take your RMD or don't withdraw the full amount, the IRS imposes a 25% excise tax on the amount not withdrawn. This penalty can be reduced to 10% if you correct the error within two years by filing Form 5329. You'll still need to withdraw the missed RMD amount and pay ordinary income tax on it. It's crucial to take your RMD by the December 31 deadline each year to avoid these penalties.
No, Roth IRAs do not require RMDs during the account owner's lifetime. However, beneficiaries who inherit a Roth IRA will generally need to take RMDs. This makes Roth IRAs an excellent estate planning tool.
Yes, you can always withdraw more than your RMD. However, excess withdrawals in one year do not count toward future years' RMDs. Each year's RMD must be calculated and withdrawn separately based on that year's account balance and life expectancy factor.
You must calculate the RMD separately for each Traditional IRA, SEP IRA, and SIMPLE IRA. However, you can aggregate the total and take the distribution from one or more of the IRAs. For 401(k)s and other employer plans, you must calculate and take the RMD separately from each account.
A Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) allows individuals age 70½ or older to donate up to $100,000 per year directly from their IRA to an IRS-qualified 501(c)(3) charity. The QCD counts toward satisfying your RMD requirement but is excluded from your taxable income. This can help lower your adjusted gross income (AGI), potentially reducing Medicare premiums and the taxation of Social Security benefits. The transfer must go directly from your IRA custodian to the charity to qualify.
The SECURE 2.0 Act, passed in December 2022, raised the RMD age from 72 to 73 for individuals who turn 72 after December 31, 2022. For those born in 1960 or later, the RMD age will increase to 75.
If you're still working past age 73 and don't own more than 5% of the company, you may be able to delay RMDs from your current employer's 401(k) plan until you retire. However, you must still take RMDs from IRAs and previous employers' retirement plans.
RMDs from Traditional IRAs, 401(k)s, and similar accounts are taxed as ordinary income at your current tax rate. The distribution is added to your other income for the year, which could potentially push you into a higher tax bracket. Consider tax planning strategies to minimize the impact.
The Uniform Lifetime Table is an IRS table that provides life expectancy factors based on your age. Most people use this table to calculate their RMD. The table was updated in 2022 to reflect longer life expectancies, which results in smaller RMDs and allows retirement savings to last longer.
Inherited IRA RMD rules depend on your relationship to the deceased and when they passed away. Spouses have more flexible options, while non-spouse beneficiaries generally must withdraw the entire account within 10 years under the SECURE Act (for deaths after 2019).
Yes, after withdrawing your RMD and paying the required income taxes, you can reinvest the after-tax proceeds in a taxable brokerage account or other non-retirement investment vehicles. If you have earned income and meet IRS income limits, you may also contribute to a Roth IRA (up to the annual contribution limit). However, IRS rules prohibit rolling an RMD back into any tax-advantaged retirement account, including IRAs or 401(k)s.
You must recalculate your RMD every year because both your account balance (as of December 31 of the previous year) and your life expectancy factor change annually. Most financial institutions will calculate this for you, but it's important to verify the calculation is correct.
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Our RMD calculator uses official IRS tables and guidelines. Always consult with a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for personalized advice.
Official IRS guidance on RMD rules, deadlines, and penalties
irs.gov/retirement-plans/retirement-plans-faqs-regarding-required-minimum-distributionsComprehensive IRS publication covering all IRA distribution rules
irs.gov/publications/p590bOfficial life expectancy table used for RMD calculations
irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-topics-required-minimum-distributions-rmdsInformation about recent legislation affecting RMD starting age
congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/2954Federal guidance on employer-sponsored retirement plans
dol.gov/general/topic/retirementDisclaimer: This calculator is for educational and informational purposes only. It uses official IRS tables but does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. RMD rules can be complex and vary based on individual circumstances. Always consult with a qualified Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), or tax attorney before making retirement distribution decisions.
Uses the latest 2024 IRS Uniform Lifetime Table with updated life expectancy factors
Shows annual, monthly, and quarterly distribution amounts for flexible planning
Instantly see the 25% penalty cost if you miss your RMD deadline
Provides estimated tax impact to help with financial planning
Supports Traditional IRA, 401(k), 403(b), SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA, and Inherited IRA
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