Tax

RMD Calculator

Calculate your Required Minimum Distribution for 2026 using the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table. Enter your account balance and age to see your annual and monthly RMD.

$

RMDs are required starting at age 73 (born 1951-1959) or 75 (born 1960+)

Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates using the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table and does not constitute tax advice. If your sole beneficiary is a spouse more than 10 years younger, the Joint Life Table may apply and your RMD would be lower. Consult a qualified tax professional for personalized guidance.

About This Tool

The RMD Calculator determines your Required Minimum Distribution for 2026 by dividing your retirement account balance by the appropriate distribution period from the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table. It also projects your RMDs over the next five years assuming a 5% annual growth rate, giving you a clearer picture of your future withdrawal requirements and tax obligations. Whether you have a Traditional IRA, a 401(k), a 403(b), or another tax-deferred retirement account, this calculator helps you stay compliant with IRS rules and plan your retirement cash flow more effectively.

Required Minimum Distributions are a fundamental aspect of retirement tax planning that every retiree with tax-deferred accounts must understand. The IRS requires you to begin withdrawing money from Traditional IRAs, 401(k)s, and similar accounts once you reach a certain age, ensuring that the tax-deferred growth you enjoyed during your working years eventually generates tax revenue. Missing an RMD triggers one of the harshest penalties in the tax code, making it essential to calculate and take your distributions on time. Even a partial shortfall is penalized, so precision matters.

The Uniform Lifetime Table Explained

The IRS Uniform Lifetime Table provides a distribution period (also called a life expectancy factor or divisor) for each age from 72 to 120. This table is used by most account owners to calculate their RMD. The distribution period decreases as you age, which means your RMD as a percentage of your account balance increases each year. At age 73, the divisor is 26.5, resulting in an RMD of approximately 3.77% of your balance. By age 85, the divisor drops to 16.0, increasing the withdrawal rate to approximately 6.25%. By age 95, the divisor is 8.9, requiring approximately 11.24% of your balance. The IRS updated these tables in 2022 to reflect longer life expectancies, which generally reduced RMD amounts compared to the prior tables.

SECURE 2.0 Act Changes

The SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 made significant changes to RMD rules. The most impactful change pushed the RMD starting age from 72 to 73 for individuals born between 1951 and 1959, and to 75 for those born in 1960 or later. The Act also reduced the penalty for missed RMDs from 50% to 25% of the shortfall (or 10% if corrected promptly). Additionally, Roth 401(k) accounts are no longer subject to RMDs starting in 2024, aligning their treatment with Roth IRAs. These changes give retirees more flexibility in managing their retirement income and tax obligations, but they also add complexity to the planning process since individuals born in different years face different starting ages.

Which Accounts Require RMDs

RMDs apply to all tax-deferred retirement accounts including Traditional IRAs, SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs, 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans, 457(b) governmental plans, and profit-sharing plans. Roth IRAs are exempt from RMDs during the account owner's lifetime, which makes them a powerful tool for legacy planning. However, inherited Roth IRAs may be subject to distribution rules under the SECURE Act's 10-year rule for non-spouse beneficiaries. If you are still working past your RMD starting age and participate in your current employer's 401(k), you may delay RMDs from that specific plan (but not from IRAs or former employer plans) until you actually retire, provided you do not own more than 5% of the company.

Strategic RMD Planning

Smart RMD planning can save thousands in taxes over your retirement. Consider taking distributions early in the year to allow more time for the withdrawn funds to be reinvested in taxable accounts. If you are charitably inclined, a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) allows you to donate up to $105,000 directly from your IRA to a qualified charity, satisfying your RMD without increasing your taxable income. You can also use years with lower income to take larger distributions or convert Traditional IRA funds to a Roth IRA, potentially reducing future RMDs and overall lifetime tax burden. Some retirees deliberately front-load withdrawals in the early years of retirement to reduce account balances before RMDs begin, known as a Roth conversion ladder strategy.

Impact on Other Tax Situations

RMDs are taxed as ordinary income and can have cascading effects on your tax situation. They can push you into a higher tax bracket, increase the taxation of your Social Security benefits (up to 85% can be taxable), increase your Medicare premiums through Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts (IRMAA), and reduce or eliminate eligibility for certain tax deductions and credits. Understanding these interactions is crucial for comprehensive retirement tax planning and is a primary reason why many retirees work with financial advisors to optimize their withdrawal strategies. IRMAA surcharges are determined by income from two years prior, so a large RMD in 2026 could affect your Medicare premiums in 2028.

Timing Your First RMD

Your first RMD has a special deadline: April 1 of the year following the year you reach the applicable starting age. All subsequent RMDs must be taken by December 31. If you delay your first RMD to the April 1 deadline, you will need to take two RMDs in that calendar year (the delayed first one plus the current year's RMD), which could result in a significantly higher tax bill for that year. For this reason, many tax professionals recommend taking your first RMD in the year you turn the applicable age rather than waiting until the following April. Running the numbers both ways can help you decide which approach minimizes your overall tax burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD)?
A Required Minimum Distribution is the minimum amount you must withdraw from your tax-deferred retirement accounts each year once you reach a certain age. RMDs apply to Traditional IRAs, SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs, 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans, 457(b) plans, and other defined contribution plans. Roth IRAs do not require RMDs during the account owner's lifetime (though inherited Roth IRAs may). The purpose of RMDs is to ensure that tax-deferred retirement savings are eventually subject to income tax rather than being passed on indefinitely.
At what age do RMDs begin?
Under the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022, the RMD starting age depends on your birth year. If you were born in 1951-1959, RMDs begin at age 73. If you were born in 1960 or later, RMDs begin at age 75. Your first RMD must be taken by April 1 of the year following the year you reach the applicable age. All subsequent RMDs must be taken by December 31 of each year. Note that if you delay your first RMD to April 1, you will need to take two RMDs in that year (the delayed first one and the current year one), which could push you into a higher tax bracket.
How is the RMD calculated?
Your RMD is calculated by dividing your account balance as of December 31 of the prior year by the distribution period (life expectancy factor) from the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table. For example, if your account balance was $500,000 on December 31 and your distribution period at age 75 is 24.6, your RMD would be $500,000 / 24.6 = $20,325. If your sole beneficiary is a spouse more than 10 years younger, you may use the Joint Life and Last Survivor Expectancy Table, which provides a longer distribution period and smaller RMD.
What happens if I don't take my RMD?
Failing to take your full RMD results in a penalty tax. Under the SECURE 2.0 Act, the penalty was reduced from 50% to 25% of the shortfall amount (the difference between what you should have withdrawn and what you actually withdrew). If you correct the shortfall within a timely manner by filing a corrected return, the penalty may be further reduced to 10%. Despite the reduced penalty, it remains one of the harshest penalties in the tax code, making it critical to track and take your RMDs on time.
Can I withdraw more than my RMD?
Yes, you can always withdraw more than your RMD. However, the excess cannot be applied to satisfy future years' RMD requirements. Additional withdrawals above the RMD are taxed as ordinary income just like the RMD itself. Some retirees choose to take larger distributions in years when they are in a lower tax bracket or to fund Roth conversions. If you need more income than your RMD provides, you are free to withdraw any amount up to your full account balance.
Do I have to take RMDs from each retirement account?
For Traditional IRAs, you must calculate the RMD for each account separately, but you can take the total amount from any one or combination of your Traditional IRAs. For 401(k), 403(b), and other employer plans, you must calculate and take the RMD from each account separately. You cannot aggregate employer plan RMDs the way you can with IRAs. If you have multiple 403(b) accounts, those can be aggregated with each other but not with IRAs. This aggregation flexibility gives IRA owners some strategic advantage in choosing which accounts to draw from.

You might also like

Tax & Finance

Self-Employment Tax Estimator

Calculate your quarterly SE tax payments and deductions.

⏱ 2 minFinance

Compound Interest Calculator

See how your money grows with compound interest over time.

⏱ 1 minCareer

Freelance Rate Calculator

Find your ideal hourly, daily, and project rates.

⏱ 3 min