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RMD Calculator

Once you turn 73 the IRS makes you withdraw from traditional retirement accounts each year. See this year's required minimum — and how it grows as you age.

Your account

Combined traditional IRA / 401(k) balance at the end of the previous year. Roth IRAs have no RMDs during your lifetime.

Projection

Used only to project future-year RMDs as the balance grows and the withdrawal factor shrinks.

This year's RMD
As a % of balance
Monthly equivalent
if taken in 12 parts

Required withdrawals by age

AgeStart balanceFactorRMD

About this calculator

This RMD calculator finds the required minimum distribution you must withdraw from traditional retirement accounts once you turn 73, using the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table. It divides your prior year-end balance by the life-expectancy factor for your age and projects how the required amount changes in future years.

How it works

Each year's required minimum distribution is your prior December 31 account balance divided by a life-expectancy factor from the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table for your age. As you age the factor shrinks, so the required percentage of the balance rises. The calculator shows this year's RMD and projects future years as the balance grows and the factor declines.

Frequently asked questions

What is a required minimum distribution?

An RMD is the minimum amount the IRS requires you to withdraw each year from traditional IRAs and 401(k)s once you reach age 73. It's calculated by dividing your prior December 31 balance by a life-expectancy factor from the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table.

At what age do RMDs start?

Under current law RMDs begin at age 73. Your first RMD can be delayed until April 1 of the year after you turn 73, but doing so means taking two distributions that year.

What happens if I don't take my RMD?

The shortfall is subject to a 25% excise tax (reduced to 10% if corrected promptly under SECURE 2.0). Roth IRAs are exempt from RMDs during the original owner's lifetime.

Which accounts require RMDs?

Traditional IRAs and 401(k)s, plus other pre-tax retirement accounts. Roth IRAs are exempt during the original owner's lifetime, and Roth 401(k)s no longer require RMDs as of 2024.

Can I avoid or reduce my RMD?

You can't skip it, but qualified charitable distributions let you donate the RMD tax-free, and Roth conversions in earlier years shrink the pre-tax balance that RMDs are based on.

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