RMD Calculator
Calculate Required Minimum Distributions from Retirement Accounts
Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) are mandatory annual withdrawals from traditional IRAs, 401(k)s, and other tax-deferred retirement accounts starting at age 73 or 75 (under SECURE Act 2.0). Our calculator helps you determine your RMD amount, project future distributions, analyze tax impact, and explore QCD strategies.
Open Source & Transparent
All calculations are open source and verifiable on GitHub. We believe in transparency and welcome contributions to improve our tools.
Years Until RMDs Begin
RMDs Starting SoonAge 73
3 Years
Account Balance
$500,000
Life Expectancy Factor
26.5
Withdrawal Rate
0.00%
3 yrs
73
Year 2028
70
Born 1955
Uniform
IRS Life Table
Key Dates & Deadlines
First RMD Deadline
April 1, 2029
Extended deadline for first year only
Annual RMD Deadline
December 31
Each subsequent year
SECURE Act 2.0 Rules Applied
- RMD age: 73 for those born 1951-1959
- RMD age: 75 for those born 1960+ (effective 2033)
- Penalty reduced to 25% (10% if corrected within 2 years)
- Roth 401(k) accounts now exempt from RMDs
Calculate Your RMD
Quick Summary
- Your Age:70
- RMD Required:Not Yet
- Table Used:Uniform
- Account Type:Traditional IRA
What are Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)?
Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) are the minimum amounts you must withdraw annually from your tax-deferred retirement accounts once you reach a certain age. The IRS requires these distributions because the money in traditional IRAs and 401(k)s has never been taxed, and they want to ensure you eventually pay taxes on these funds.
RMDs apply to traditional IRAs, SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs, 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans, 457(b) plans, and profit sharing plans. Notably, Roth IRAs do NOT have RMDs for the original owner during their lifetime.
The RMD Formula
RMD = Account Balance ÷ Life Expectancy Factor
Account Balance
Your total retirement account balance as of December 31 of the prior year. For multiple accounts of the same type (e.g., multiple IRAs), you can aggregate balances and take the total RMD from any one or combination of accounts.
Life Expectancy Factor
A divisor from IRS tables based on your age. Most people use the Uniform Lifetime Table. If your sole beneficiary is a spouse 10+ years younger, you may use the Joint Life Table for a smaller RMD.
SECURE Act 2.0 Changes (2024)
New RMD Starting Ages
- • Born 1950 or earlier: Age 72
- • Born 1951-1959: Age 73
- • Born 1960 or later: Age 75 (effective 2033)
Reduced Penalties
The penalty for missing RMDs was reduced from 50% to 25% of the amount not taken. If corrected within 2 years, the penalty drops to just 10%.
Roth 401(k) RMDs Eliminated
Starting in 2024, designated Roth accounts in employer plans (Roth 401k, Roth 403b) no longer have RMDs, aligning them with Roth IRA rules.
QCD Limit Indexed to Inflation
Qualified Charitable Distribution limits are now indexed to inflation. For 2024, the limit is $105,000 (up from $100,000).
IRS Uniform Lifetime Table (Sample)
The IRS publishes life expectancy tables used to calculate RMDs. Here are sample factors from the Uniform Lifetime Table:
| Your Age | Distribution Period | Withdrawal Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 73 | 26.5 | 3.77% |
| 75 | 24.6 | 4.07% |
| 80 | 20.2 | 4.95% |
| 85 | 16.0 | 6.25% |
| 90 | 12.2 | 8.20% |
| 95 | 8.9 | 11.24% |
Source: IRS Publication 590-B, Uniform Lifetime Table (updated 2022)
Smart RMD Strategies
- 1. Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) – If you're 70½+, donate up to $105,000 directly from your IRA to charity. The distribution satisfies your RMD but isn't included in taxable income.
- 2. Roth Conversions Before RMDs Start – Convert traditional IRA funds to Roth IRA before age 73/75 to reduce future RMDs and enjoy tax-free growth.
- 3. Tax Bracket Management – Take distributions in years when you're in a lower tax bracket. Consider accelerating withdrawals in low-income years.
- 4. Aggregate Strategically – If you have multiple IRAs, you can take the total RMD from any one account. Withdraw from accounts with poor performance first.
- 5. Still Working Exception – If you're still employed at 73+, you may delay RMDs from your current employer's 401(k) until you retire (doesn't apply to IRAs).
Frequently Asked Questions
What age do I have to start taking RMDs? ▼
Under SECURE Act 2.0, you must start taking RMDs at age 73 if you were born between 1951-1959, or age 75 if you were born in 1960 or later. Your first RMD must be taken by April 1 of the year following the year you reach your RMD age. Note: If you delay your first RMD to April 1, you'll have to take two RMDs in the same year.
How are RMDs calculated? ▼
RMDs are calculated by dividing your retirement account balance (as of December 31 of the prior year) by a life expectancy factor from IRS tables. Most people use the Uniform Lifetime Table, but if your sole beneficiary is a spouse more than 10 years younger, you may use the Joint Life Table for smaller distributions.
What is the penalty for not taking RMDs? ▼
If you fail to take your full RMD, you may owe a 25% excise tax on the amount not distributed. However, if you correct the error within 2 years, the penalty may be reduced to 10%. This was reduced from 50% under SECURE Act 2.0.
Do Roth IRAs have RMDs? ▼
Roth IRAs do NOT have RMDs for the original owner during their lifetime. Starting in 2024, designated Roth accounts in 401(k) and 403(b) plans also no longer require RMDs, thanks to SECURE Act 2.0.
Can I donate my RMD to charity? ▼
Yes! If you're 70½ or older, you can make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) directly from your IRA to a qualified charity. QCDs up to $105,000 per year (2024 limit) satisfy your RMD requirement and are excluded from taxable income.
What if I have multiple retirement accounts? ▼
For IRAs (traditional, SEP, SIMPLE), you calculate the RMD separately for each account but can take the total RMD from any one or combination of your IRAs. For 401(k) accounts, you must calculate and take the RMD separately from each plan – they cannot be aggregated across different employers' plans.
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