RMD Calculator: How to Use It
The IRS requires you to withdraw a minimum amount from most retirement accounts each year once you hit the RMD age. Miss it and the penalty is 25% of what you should have taken.
What this calculator does
The RMD Calculator tells you how much you must withdraw from each retirement account this year. It uses the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table, which is the table that applies to most account owners. If your sole beneficiary is a spouse more than 10 years younger, the IRS Joint Life and Last Survivor Table gives you a lower RMD. The calculator flags when that table applies.
You can run the calculation for multiple accounts separately. The IRS requires you to calculate the RMD for each IRA individually, but you can withdraw the total from any combination of your IRAs. 401(k) and TSP RMDs must be taken from each account separately and can't be aggregated with IRAs.
What each input means
Account balance as of December 31 last year
RMDs are calculated from your account balance on December 31 of the prior year. Your custodian (Vanguard, Fidelity, the TSP, your 401(k) plan) will send you a statement and often a Form 5498 showing the December 31 balance. Don't use your current balance. Don't use the balance at the time you're running this calculator. Always use December 31 of the prior year.
Your age this year
Use the age you'll turn in the current calendar year. If you turn 75 in November, use 75. The life expectancy factor comes from the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table row corresponding to your age. The factor is the same regardless of whether your birthday is in January or December.
Account type
Traditional IRA, 401(k), 403(b), SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA, TSP, and 457(b) government plans all require RMDs. Roth IRAs don't, ever, during your lifetime. Roth 401(k) and Roth TSP accounts haven't required RMDs since 2024. Inherited accounts follow the 10-year rule for most non-spouse beneficiaries.
How the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table works
The IRS updated the Uniform Lifetime Table in 2022. The life expectancy factors are larger than the old table, which means smaller required distributions. At age 73, the factor is 26.5. Divide your account balance by 26.5 to get your RMD. At 80, the factor drops to 20.2. At 90, it's 11.4.
The IRS updated this table to reflect longer life expectancies. If you've been using the old table from before 2022, your RMDs may be slightly larger than they need to be. The new table applies to all distributions starting January 1, 2022.
Understanding the outputs
The calculator shows your RMD amount in dollars. That's the minimum you must withdraw from the account by December 31 of the current year. The exception is your first RMD, which can be delayed until April 1 of the following year. Most people don't delay it because taking two RMDs in one year often increases their tax bill.
The output also shows what percentage of the account the RMD represents. In the early years (73-75), it's around 3.8 to 4.3% of the balance. By your mid-80s it climbs toward 6-7%. By 90 it's approaching 9%. The distributions accelerate as life expectancy shortens.
The penalty for missing your RMD
25% of the amount not withdrawn. If your RMD was $12,000 and you took nothing, the penalty is $3,000 in addition to the income taxes on the $12,000 you eventually do withdraw. The IRS reduced the penalty from 50% to 25% in 2023. It drops further to 10% if you take the corrected distribution within two years and file IRS Form 5329. The IRS has historically granted waivers for first-time mistakes, but that's discretionary.
Qualified Charitable Distributions
Starting at 70.5, you can make a Qualified Charitable Distribution of up to $105,000 per year directly from an IRA to a qualified charity. The QCD counts toward your RMD for the year, and the amount is excluded from your taxable income entirely. You don't get a charitable deduction on top of the exclusion, but you don't pay tax on money that goes straight to charity. For anyone who takes the standard deduction, the QCD is almost always better than taking the distribution and donating after tax.
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Frequently asked questions
When do RMDs start?
Age 73 if born 1951-1959. Age 75 if born in 1960 or later. Your first RMD can be delayed to April 1 of the following year, but most people take it in the year they turn the applicable age to avoid two taxable distributions in one year.
What is the penalty for missing an RMD?
25% of the amount you should have withdrawn. It drops to 10% if you correct it within two years. On top of that penalty, you still owe ordinary income taxes on the distribution when you eventually take it.
Which accounts require RMDs?
Traditional IRAs, 401(k)s, 403(b)s, SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs, TSP, and 457(b) government plans. Roth IRAs never require RMDs during your lifetime. Roth 401(k) and Roth TSP accounts haven't required RMDs since 2024.
Can I take more than the RMD?
Yes. The RMD is the minimum. You can always take more. Additional withdrawals are taxable as ordinary income but don't reduce future RMD requirements, which are recalculated each year from your prior December 31 balance.
Can I donate my RMD to charity?
Yes, through a Qualified Charitable Distribution starting at age 70.5. Up to $105,000 per year can go directly from your IRA to a qualified charity, count toward your RMD, and be excluded from your taxable income entirely.