RMD Calculator — Required Minimum Distribution
Calculate your annual Required Minimum Distribution from an IRA or 401(k) based on your account balance and age.
Annual RMD
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Monthly Equivalent
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Distribution Period
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What is RMD Calculator — Required Minimum Distribution?
A Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) calculator determines the minimum amount you must withdraw each year from your traditional IRA, 401(k), or other tax-deferred retirement accounts starting at age 73. The IRS requires these distributions to ensure that tax-deferred savings are eventually taxed. Missing an RMD triggers a 25% excise tax on the amount not withdrawn.
How to use
- 1 Enter your retirement account balance as of December 31 of the prior year.
- 2 Enter your current age (must be 72 or older).
- 3 The calculator looks up your IRS Uniform Lifetime Table distribution period.
- 4 Your annual RMD and monthly equivalent are displayed instantly.
- 5 Repeat each year with your updated year-end balance.
Formula
Example calculation
Account balance $400,000, age 75: Distribution period = 24.6. RMD = $400,000 ÷ 24.6 ≈ $16,260/year, or $1,355/month.
Frequently asked questions
When must I take my first RMD?
Under SECURE 2.0 (effective 2023), RMDs begin at age 73. Your first RMD can be delayed until April 1 of the year following the year you turn 73, but you'll then owe two RMDs that year.
Do Roth IRAs have RMDs?
Roth IRAs do not require distributions during the owner's lifetime. Roth 401(k)s previously required RMDs, but SECURE 2.0 eliminated that requirement starting in 2024.
What if I have multiple retirement accounts?
You must calculate RMDs separately for each account. For traditional IRAs, you can aggregate and take the total from any combination of IRAs. For 401(k)s, each account requires its own distribution.
What happens if I don't take my RMD?
The penalty is 25% of the amount you should have withdrawn (reduced to 10% if corrected within two years). This is on top of the regular income tax you'll owe on the distribution.
Can I take more than the RMD?
Yes, you can always withdraw more than the minimum. However, the excess does not count toward next year's RMD. All traditional IRA and 401(k) withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income.