RMD Calculator
Estimate a required minimum distribution from prior year-end retirement balance and age using the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table, with 2026 RMD-age guidance.
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How an RMD Is Calculated
A required minimum distribution is generally found by dividing the prior December 31 retirement-account balance by an IRS life-expectancy denominator. This calculator uses the Uniform Lifetime Table, the table commonly used by IRA owners who do not have a sole-beneficiary spouse more than 10 years younger.
For example, the Uniform Lifetime denominator is 26.5 at age 73, 25.5 at age 74 and 24.6 at age 75. As age increases, the denominator falls and the required percentage of the account generally rises.
RMD Starting Age
SECURE 2.0 changed the applicable age. People who reach age 73 before 2033 generally use age 73 as the applicable RMD age. For people who reach age 74 after 2032, the applicable age is 75. The calculator uses birth year and age to flag whether an owner RMD appears due under this general rule.
Designated Roth accounts in employer plans are no longer subject to lifetime RMD requirements for the owner, and Roth IRAs also do not require owner lifetime RMDs. Inherited Roth accounts are different and are not modeled here.
Example
At age 75, a $500,000 prior year-end balance divided by the 24.6 Uniform Lifetime factor produces an RMD of about $20,325. The result also shows the distribution as a percentage of the starting balance and the approximate remaining balance before investment gains, losses or other withdrawals.
Important RMD Exceptions
Inherited accounts, qualifying longevity annuity contracts, multiple account aggregation rules, employer plans for still-working employees and a spouse more than 10 years younger can change the calculation. Use this tool for a standard owner estimate and verify the actual distribution requirement with the plan custodian or current IRS guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age do RMDs start?
Under current SECURE 2.0 rules, the applicable age is generally 73 for people who attain age 73 before 2033, while the applicable age becomes 75 for people who attain age 74 after 2032. Birth year matters.
What balance is used for an RMD?
For a standard owner RMD, the calculation generally starts with the retirement account balance as of December 31 of the previous year and divides it by the applicable life-expectancy factor.
Does this handle inherited IRAs or a spouse more than 10 years younger?
No. Those situations can require different life-expectancy tables and distribution rules. This calculator uses the Uniform Lifetime Table for a straightforward owner estimate.