# RMD Calculator

Calculate your Required Minimum Distribution from IRAs and 401(k)s using the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table. Free RMD calculator for retirement planning.

## What this calculates

Find out exactly how much you must withdraw from your retirement accounts each year. Enter your account balance and age to see your Required Minimum Distribution based on the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table.

## Inputs

- **Account Balance (Dec 31)** ($) — min 0 — Your retirement account balance as of December 31 of the prior year.
- **Your Age This Year** — min 72, max 120 — Your age during the distribution year. RMDs begin at age 73.

## Outputs

- **Required Minimum Distribution** — formatted as currency — The minimum amount you must withdraw this year.
- **Distribution Period** — IRS life expectancy factor for your age.
- **Effective Withdrawal Rate** — formatted as percentage — Your RMD as a percentage of the account balance.

## Details

Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) are mandatory annual withdrawals from traditional IRAs, 401(k)s, and other tax-deferred retirement accounts. Under the SECURE 2.0 Act, RMDs now begin at age 73 (up from 72). Roth IRAs are exempt from RMDs during the account owner's lifetime.

Here's how it works: divide your account balance (as of December 31 of the prior year) by the IRS distribution period for your age. For a 73-year-old with a $500,000 balance, the distribution period is 26.5, so the RMD is $500,000 / 26.5 = $18,868. That amount must be withdrawn by December 31 (or April 1 of the following year for your very first RMD).

Missing an RMD used to trigger a brutal 50% penalty on the amount not withdrawn. SECURE 2.0 reduced this to 25%, and it drops to 10% if you correct the shortfall within two years. Still, the penalty makes it critical to calculate and withdraw your RMD on time every year. If you have multiple traditional IRAs, you can add up all the RMDs and take the total from any one (or combination) of those accounts.

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: At what age do RMDs begin?**

A: Under the SECURE 2.0 Act (effective 2023), RMDs begin at age 73. If you turned 72 in 2022 or earlier, you follow the previous rules. The age threshold is scheduled to increase to 75 in 2033. Your first RMD can be delayed until April 1 of the year after you turn 73, but that means taking two RMDs in one year.

**Q: What happens if I miss my RMD?**

A: The penalty for missing an RMD was reduced from 50% to 25% by SECURE 2.0. If you correct the shortfall within two years (by withdrawing the missed amount and filing Form 5329), the penalty drops to 10%. To avoid penalties altogether, set up automatic distributions or calendar reminders well before December 31.

**Q: Do Roth IRAs require RMDs?**

A: No. Roth IRAs are exempt from RMDs during the original account owner's lifetime. This makes Roth IRAs powerful estate planning tools because the money can continue growing tax-free. However, inherited Roth IRAs (for non-spouse beneficiaries) do require distributions under the 10-year rule established by the SECURE Act.

**Q: Can I withdraw more than my RMD?**

A: Yes, you can always withdraw more than the required minimum. However, excess withdrawals do not reduce future RMDs because next year's RMD is recalculated based on the new December 31 balance. Withdrawals above the RMD are still taxed as ordinary income. Some retirees withdraw more strategically to manage tax brackets or convert to Roth accounts.

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Source: https://vastcalc.com/calculators/finance/rmd
Category: Finance
Last updated: 2026-04-08