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RMD Calculator

Calculate your Required Minimum Distribution from a Traditional IRA or 401(k) based on your age and account balance. We're building this calculator now — check back soon.

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What This RMD Calculator Does

Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) are mandatory annual withdrawals from traditional IRAs, 401(k)s, 403(b)s, and most other tax-deferred retirement accounts starting at age 73 (under SECURE 2.0 Act rules effective for those turning 73 in 2023 or later). This calculator computes your RMD for the current year based on your account balance and your age using the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table, helping you avoid the steep 25% excise tax penalty for failing to take the required distribution.

How It Works

RMD = Prior Year-End Account Balance / Life Expectancy Factor (IRS Table)

The life expectancy factor comes from the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table (Publication 590-B), which was updated in 2022 to reflect longer life expectancies. For example, a 73-year-old has a life expectancy factor of 26.5, so an account with a $500,000 year-end balance would have an RMD of $500,000 / 26.5 = $18,868. If your sole beneficiary is a spouse more than 10 years younger, you use the more favorable Joint Life and Last Survivor Expectancy Table.

Key Concepts Explained

When RMDs Begin

Under SECURE 2.0 (effective 2023), RMDs begin at age 73. If you turned 72 before December 31, 2022, you were already subject to RMDs at 72. The SECURE 2.0 Act also set a further increase to age 75 for those born in 1960 or later. Roth IRAs are exempt from RMDs during the owner's lifetime — a key advantage for estate planning.

First RMD Deadline

For your first RMD, you have until April 1 of the year following the year you turn 73. However, if you delay until April 1, you must also take your second RMD by December 31 of that same year — meaning two taxable distributions in one calendar year. This "double RMD" year can push you into a higher bracket; many retirees choose to take their first RMD in the year they turn 73 to avoid this.

Multiple Account RMD Aggregation

For traditional IRAs, you must calculate the RMD for each IRA separately, but you can aggregate and withdraw the total from any one (or combination) of your IRAs. For 401(k)s, each plan must have its own RMD withdrawn from that specific plan — you cannot aggregate 401(k)s the way you can IRAs.

Inherited IRA RMD Rules

Under SECURE Act rules (2019), most non-spouse beneficiaries must deplete inherited IRA accounts within 10 years. Annual RMDs are not required within those 10 years for beneficiaries of account owners who died before their RMD start date. Eligible designated beneficiaries (surviving spouses, minor children, disabled individuals, chronically ill individuals, and those not more than 10 years younger than the deceased) can still stretch distributions over their life expectancy.

Tips & Best Practices

Consider Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) — if age 70½ or older, you can donate up to $105,000 directly from your IRA to qualified charities in 2024. QCDs count toward your RMD but are excluded from taxable income — a powerful strategy for charitable retirees.

Convert to Roth before RMDs begin — Roth conversions in your 60s (before RMDs at 73) reduce future RMDs and create tax-free retirement assets. Model conversions that fill up to the top of your current bracket each year.

Take RMDs early in the year if the market is up — if your account grows during the year after your RMD calculation date (prior year-end), taking early doesn't reduce your tax — but it deploys the cash for reinvestment or spending sooner.

Plan for IRMAA — large RMDs can push your MAGI above Medicare IRMAA thresholds, triggering higher Medicare premiums two years later. Model the IRMAA impact when planning RMD timing and Roth conversions.

Set up automatic annual distributions — most custodians allow you to automate annual RMD withdrawals. This prevents missed distributions and the 25% penalty.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I miss my RMD?

Missing an RMD triggers a 25% excise tax on the amount not withdrawn (reduced to 10% if corrected within 2 years under SECURE 2.0). To correct a missed RMD, take the required distribution as soon as possible and file IRS Form 5329 with your tax return, requesting a waiver if the failure was due to reasonable error. The IRS has historically been lenient with first-time missed RMDs if corrected promptly.

Do I have to take an RMD if I'm still working?

If you're still working for the employer sponsoring a 401(k) and you own less than 5% of the company, you may be able to delay RMDs from that specific 401(k) until you retire. However, RMDs from traditional IRAs and 401(k)s from previous employers cannot be delayed — they must begin at 73 regardless of work status.

Can I reinvest my RMD?

Yes — once you take your RMD (and pay income tax on it), the after-tax proceeds can be invested in a taxable brokerage account, used for spending, gifted, donated via QCD, or used for any purpose. You cannot return an RMD to an IRA or roll it back in. If you don't need the funds, investing in a taxable account remains your best option.

Do RMDs apply to Roth IRAs?

No — Roth IRAs are not subject to RMDs during the owner's lifetime. This is one of the most significant advantages of Roth accounts for estate planning and tax management. However, Roth 401(k) accounts at former employers that haven't been rolled to a Roth IRA were subject to RMDs until SECURE 2.0 eliminated Roth 401(k) RMDs starting in 2024.