Work out the minimum you must withdraw from a retirement account this year, using the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table.
How rmd is worked out
Once you reach 73, the IRS requires you to start drawing down tax-deferred retirement accounts. The required minimum distribution is last December 31st’s balance divided by a life-expectancy factor from the Uniform Lifetime Table.
Missing an RMD triggers a penalty of 25% of the shortfall, reduced to 10% if corrected promptly — which is why the penalty line is shown here.
How to use it
- Enter the account balance as of December 31 last year.
- Enter your age at the end of this year.
- Add your tax rate to see the after-tax amount.
How the number is calculated
RMD = prior year-end balance ÷ distribution period
distribution period comes from the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table
Worked example
On the values this calculator opens with, the this year’s RMD is $20,325.2. Underneath, Distribution period comes out at 24.6 and Monthly equivalent at $1,693.77. Change any field and every figure updates as you type.
Questions people ask about this
At what age do RMDs start?
Age 73 under current rules, rising to 75 for people born in 1960 or later.
Do Roth accounts have RMDs?
Roth IRAs do not require distributions during the owner’s lifetime. Roth 401(k)s no longer do either.
Can I take more than the minimum?
Yes — the RMD is a floor, not a cap. Anything above it is taxed the same way.