Work out the required minimum distribution (RMD) you must take from a traditional IRA, 401(k), 403(b) or similar account. Enter your birth year, the year and last December 31 balance to get this year's RMD from the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table and a projected schedule for the years ahead.
Last updated:
$
From your year-end statement for the IRA, 401(k), 403(b) or 457(b).
Projection
%
years
Enter your values to see the result.
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How to use the RMD Calculator
Enter your birth year; it sets your RMD starting age.
Enter the year you want the RMD for.
Enter the account balance on December 31 of the previous year, from your year-end statement.
Set an expected yearly return and how many years to project.
Press Calculate to see the RMD, the deadline and the projected schedule.
The RMD formula
RMD = account balance on December 31 of last year ÷ distribution period for your age
Your age is the age you reach on your birthday in the distribution year. Example: born in 1952, your 2026 age is 74 and the factor is 25.5. With $500,000 in the IRA at the end of 2025, the 2026 RMD is $500,000 ÷ 25.5 = $19,607.84, about 3.92% of the balance.
IRS Uniform Lifetime Table (ages 72–100)
Distribution periods from Treasury Regulation 1.401(a)(9)-9, used from 2022 on. The table continues to age 120+ (factor 2.0); the calculator uses the full table.
Age
Factor
% to withdraw
Age
Factor
% to withdraw
72
27.4
3.65%
87
14.4
6.94%
73
26.5
3.77%
88
13.7
7.30%
74
25.5
3.92%
89
12.9
7.75%
75
24.6
4.07%
90
12.2
8.20%
76
23.7
4.22%
91
11.5
8.70%
77
22.9
4.37%
92
10.8
9.26%
78
22.0
4.55%
93
10.1
9.90%
79
21.1
4.74%
94
9.5
10.53%
80
20.2
4.95%
95
8.9
11.24%
81
19.4
5.15%
96
8.4
11.90%
82
18.5
5.41%
97
7.8
12.82%
83
17.7
5.65%
98
7.3
13.70%
84
16.8
5.95%
99
6.8
14.71%
85
16.0
6.25%
100
6.4
15.62%
86
15.2
6.58%
RMD planning tips
Take it early in December, not on the 31st. Custodians need time to process withdrawals.
Use tax withholding on the RMD to cover your income tax for the year; withholding is treated as paid evenly through the year.
Give from your IRA. From age 70½ a qualified charitable distribution counts toward your RMD and is excluded from income.
Consider Roth conversions before RMDs start to shrink future RMDs, especially in low-income years after retirement.
Still working? You can usually delay RMDs from your current employer's 401(k) until you retire, unless you own more than 5% of the company. IRAs have no such exception.
Frequently asked questions
How is an RMD calculated?
Divide the account balance on December 31 of the previous year by the distribution period for your age in the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table. For example, at age 75 the factor is 24.6, so a $500,000 balance requires a withdrawal of $500,000 ÷ 24.6 = $20,325.20 for the year.
At what age do RMDs start?
Under the SECURE 2.0 Act, RMDs start at age 73 if you were born from 1951 through 1959, and at age 75 if you were born in 1960 or later. People born in 1950 or earlier started at 72 (or 70½ if born before July 1, 1949).
When is the RMD deadline?
Each RMD must be taken by December 31. The only exception is your very first RMD, which you can delay until April 1 of the following year, but then you must take two RMDs in that year, which can push you into a higher tax bracket.
What happens if I miss an RMD?
The IRS charges an excise tax of 25% of the amount you should have withdrawn but did not. It drops to 10% if you take the missed amount and file Form 5329 within the correction window, generally two years. The IRS may waive it for reasonable error.
Do Roth IRAs have RMDs?
No, the original owner of a Roth IRA never has to take RMDs, and since 2024 the same is true of Roth 401(k) and Roth 403(b) accounts. Beneficiaries who inherit Roth accounts do have distribution rules.
I have several IRAs. Do I take an RMD from each?
You calculate the RMD for each traditional IRA separately, but you can withdraw the combined total from any one or more of your IRAs. 401(k) plans are different: each plan's RMD must come out of that plan. 403(b) RMDs can be aggregated among 403(b) accounts.
Is the RMD taxed?
Yes. RMDs from pre-tax accounts are taxed as ordinary income in the year you take them. A qualified charitable distribution (QCD) sent directly from an IRA to a charity, up to $108,000 in 2025 and $111,000 in 2026, counts toward the RMD without being taxable income.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.