Calculate Your IRA Required Minimum Distribution (RMD)
Estimate your annual IRA minimum distribution using the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table. This tool is designed for most Traditional IRA owners.
What is an IRA minimum distribution?
An IRA minimum distribution (also called an RMD, or Required Minimum Distribution) is the minimum amount the IRS requires you to withdraw each year from most tax-deferred retirement accounts once you reach your required beginning age.
For a Traditional IRA, SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA, and many employer retirement accounts, the IRS does not let money grow tax-deferred forever. At some point, annual withdrawals become mandatory, and those withdrawals are generally taxable as ordinary income.
How this IRA RMD calculator works
The standard formula is straightforward:
- RMD = Prior year-end account balance ÷ IRS life expectancy factor
- The factor usually comes from the Uniform Lifetime Table.
- Most account owners use this table unless special beneficiary rules apply.
This calculator uses that method by default and gives you:
- Estimated annual RMD
- Estimated monthly equivalent
- Optional tax withholding estimate and net distribution
Who must take RMDs?
RMD timing depends on your birth year under current law:
- If you reached the old threshold before recent rule changes, your RMD age may have been 72.
- Many retirees now begin at age 73.
- For younger groups, the starting age is scheduled to become 75.
Rules can be nuanced, especially for inherited IRAs and still-working exceptions in some workplace plans. Use this tool for planning and confirm details with your tax advisor or plan administrator.
Quick Uniform Lifetime divisor reference
| Age | Divisor | Age | Divisor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 73 | 26.5 | 80 | 20.2 |
| 74 | 25.5 | 81 | 19.4 |
| 75 | 24.6 | 82 | 18.5 |
| 76 | 23.7 | 83 | 17.7 |
| 77 | 22.9 | 84 | 16.8 |
| 78 | 22.0 | 85 | 16.0 |
| 79 | 21.1 | 90 | 12.2 |
Example calculation
Suppose your IRA balance on December 31 last year was $500,000, and your age this year is 75.
- Uniform Lifetime divisor at age 75 = 24.6
- RMD = $500,000 ÷ 24.6 = $20,325.20
If you choose 15% withholding, estimated tax withheld would be about $3,048.78 and net cash received would be about $17,276.42.
Common RMD mistakes to avoid
1) Using the wrong account balance
Always use the prior December 31 fair market value, not your current-day balance.
2) Missing the deadline
Your first RMD can sometimes be delayed into the next year (by April 1), but that can create two taxable distributions in one year. Every later RMD is generally due by December 31.
3) Forgetting aggregation rules
For multiple Traditional IRAs, you can calculate each account’s RMD separately but usually withdraw the total from one or more IRAs. Employer plans often follow different rules.
4) Ignoring tax planning opportunities
- Coordinate RMDs with Social Security and Medicare premium thresholds.
- Consider Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) if charitably inclined.
- Review Roth conversion strategy before large RMD years.
When this calculator may not be enough
You may need professional help if any of the following applies:
- You inherited an IRA and are under the 10-year or life-expectancy payout rules.
- Your spouse is your sole beneficiary and more than 10 years younger.
- You are calculating RMDs across several account types with special plan rules.