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Free RMD Calculator — IRS Required Minimum Distribution

Enter your IRA or 401(k) balance and age to calculate your Required Minimum Distribution using the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table. Includes SECURE 2.0 Act rules.

This free RMD calculator uses the updated IRS Uniform Lifetime Table (effective 2022) and SECURE 2.0 Act rules (age 73 starting age) to calculate your exact Required Minimum Distribution for any traditional IRA, 401(k), 403(b), or other pre-tax retirement account. No sign-up required.

What Is a Required Minimum Distribution?

A Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) is the minimum amount the IRS mandates you withdraw each year from traditional pre-tax retirement accounts — including traditional IRAs, 401(k)s, 403(b)s, and SEP-IRAs. These rules exist because the government eventually wants to collect income tax on money that was contributed pre-tax and has grown tax-deferred for decades.

Under the SECURE 2.0 Act (2022), the RMD starting age was raised to age 73 (up from 72), and will increase again to 75 in 2033. Missing an RMD triggers a penalty of 25% of the amount not withdrawn (reduced from 50% under prior law).

The only major retirement account without RMDs is the Roth IRA — one of its most powerful advantages. If your RMD will push you into a higher tax bracket, consider Roth conversions before age 73 to reduce future RMDs. Use the retirement calculator to project your total account balance approaching retirement.

How to Use This RMD Calculator

  1. 1

    Enter Your Account Balance

    Use your December 31 balance from the prior year — this is the IRS-required figure. If you have multiple traditional IRAs, you can calculate the total RMD from the combined balance, but you must take the full combined RMD from at least one account.

  2. 2

    Enter Your Age

    Enter your age as of December 31 of the current distribution year. RMDs must begin by April 1 of the year after you turn 73 (under SECURE 2.0). If you turned 73 this year, your first RMD deadline is April 1 of next year — but taking two RMDs in one year can have tax consequences.

  3. 3

    Review Your IRS Distribution Period

    The calculator looks up your distribution period from the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table (2022 update). For most account owners, this is the standard table. The Joint Life and Last Survivor Table applies if your sole beneficiary is a spouse more than 10 years younger.

  4. 4

    Calculate and Plan Withdrawals

    Your RMD = Account Balance ÷ Distribution Period. You can take your RMD as a lump sum, monthly installments, or any schedule — as long as the full annual amount is withdrawn by December 31 (except your first RMD, which can be delayed to April 1).

RMD Formula & IRS Table

RMD = Prior Dec 31 Account Balance ÷ IRS Distribution Period

The distribution period comes from the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table (updated 2022). A lower factor means a higher required withdrawal as a percentage of the account.

AgeDistribution PeriodRMD on $500K
7326.5$18,868
7425.5$19,608
7524.6$20,325
7623.7$21,097
7722.9$21,834
7822$22,727
7921.1$23,697
8020.2$24,752

Real-World RMD Examples

How RMDs change with age and account balance.

Age 73: $500,000 Balance — First RMD Year

At age 73, the IRS distribution period is 26.5. RMD = $500,000 ÷ 26.5 = $18,868. This is 3.77% of the account — relatively modest. Federal income tax at the 22% bracket adds $4,151 in taxes. This is the first year RMDs are required under SECURE 2.0 Act rules for anyone born in 1951 or later.

Age 80: $1,000,000 Balance — Growing RMD

At age 80, the distribution period is 20.2. RMD = $1,000,000 ÷ 20.2 = $49,505 — now 4.95% of the account. This amount pushes into higher income tax brackets and may trigger increased Medicare premiums (IRMAA). This is why large IRA holders often do Roth conversions between ages 60–72 to reduce the future RMD burden.

Age 75: $250,000 Balance — Smaller Account RMD

At age 75, the distribution period is 24.6. RMD = $250,000 ÷ 24.6 = $10,163. This is a manageable amount for most retirees and represents 4.07% of the account. If $10,163 exceeds your living expenses, consider a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) to donate up to $10,163 directly to charity — satisfying the RMD with zero taxable income.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD)?
An RMD is the minimum amount the IRS requires you to withdraw annually from your traditional IRA, 401(k), 403(b), or other pre-tax retirement accounts once you reach the required beginning age. RMDs ensure the government eventually collects taxes on tax-deferred retirement savings. The amount is calculated by dividing your December 31 account balance by your IRS life expectancy factor.
At what age do RMDs start in 2025?
RMDs start at age 73 under the SECURE 2.0 Act (signed December 2022), up from age 72 under the original SECURE Act and 70½ under old rules. If you turn 73 in 2025, your first RMD is due by April 1, 2026 (and your second by December 31, 2026). Starting in 2033, the RMD age will increase again to 75.
What is the penalty for missing an RMD?
The penalty for missing an RMD was reduced to 25% (from 50%) under SECURE 2.0. If you miss an RMD of $10,000, the penalty is $2,500 plus ordinary income tax on the $10,000. The penalty drops to 10% if you correct the missed RMD within 2 years. The IRS also has a history of waiving penalties for first-time mistakes with timely correction.
How is the RMD calculated?
RMD = Prior December 31 account balance ÷ IRS Uniform Lifetime Table distribution period for your age. At age 73 the factor is 26.5, so a $500,000 balance produces an RMD of $500,000 ÷ 26.5 = $18,868. At age 80 the factor is 20.2, so a $1,000,000 balance produces an RMD of $49,505. The factor decreases each year, so RMDs grow as a percentage of the account.
Do Roth IRAs have RMDs?
No — Roth IRAs are the only retirement account exempt from RMDs during the owner's lifetime. You are never required to withdraw from a Roth IRA, allowing the entire balance to compound tax-free indefinitely. However, inherited Roth IRAs (from non-spouse beneficiaries) do have RMD rules under the 10-year rule post-SECURE Act. This is one of the major advantages of the Roth IRA over traditional accounts.
How can I reduce or avoid RMDs?
4 strategies to reduce RMDs: (1) Roth IRA conversion — convert pre-tax funds to Roth before RMD age to reduce the taxable balance. (2) Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) — donate up to $105,000/year directly from your IRA to charity, satisfying the RMD without it counting as taxable income. (3) Still-working exception — if you are still employed and do not own 5%+ of the company, you can delay 401(k) RMDs. (4) Qualified Longevity Annuity Contract (QLAC) — defer up to $200,000 of IRA funds to delay RMDs to age 85.

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