Formulas and 2026 figures checked & updated: July 2026
RMDs start at 73 (SECURE 2.0)
Used only for the multi-year projection
Multi-Year Projection
| Age | Start Balance | Divisor | RMD |
|---|---|---|---|
| 75 | $500,000 | 24.6 | $20,325 |
| 76 | $503,659 | 23.7 | $21,251 |
| 77 | $506,527 | 22.9 | $22,119 |
| 78 | $508,629 | 22.0 | $23,119 |
| 79 | $509,785 | 21.1 | $24,160 |
| 80 | $509,906 | 20.2 | $25,243 |
| 81 | $508,896 | 19.4 | $26,232 |
| 82 | $506,797 | 18.5 | $27,394 |
| 83 | $503,373 | 17.7 | $28,439 |
| 84 | $498,681 | 16.8 | $29,683 |
How to Use the RMD Calculator
- Enter your age as of the end of this year.
- Enter your retirement account balance as of December 31 of last year.
- Review your required minimum distribution and the IRS distribution period used to calculate it.
- Optionally project several years forward using an assumed growth rate to see how your RMD changes over time.
What This Calculator Does
This calculator applies the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table to your age and prior year-end balance to compute your required minimum distribution (RMD) — the minimum amount you must withdraw from a 401(k) or traditional IRA each year once you reach RMD age, currently 73 under SECURE 2.0.
It also projects your RMD forward several years, since the divisor shrinks as you age (increasing your withdrawal rate) even if your balance stays flat — useful for anticipating the tax impact of future distributions.
Formula
RMD = Prior Year-End Balance ÷ IRS Distribution Period (by age)- Distribution PeriodIRS Uniform Lifetime Table divisor for your age
Examples
Example: Age 75, $500,000 balance
IRS distribution period for age 75 is 24.6.
RMD = $500,000 ÷ 24.6 ≈ $20,325 for the year.
Continue Your Financial Planning
Methodology
RMD = prior year-end account balance ÷ IRS distribution period for your age, using the Uniform Lifetime Table (Table III), effective 2022 and later. This calculator covers ages 72–100; for ages above 100, consult IRS Publication 590-B or a tax advisor for your exact factor. The multi-year projection assumes the account grows at your chosen rate on the remaining balance after each year's withdrawal.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age do RMDs start?+
Age 73, under the SECURE 2.0 Act, for those turning 73 between 2023 and 2032. The RMD age rises to 75 starting in 2033 for people born in 1960 or later.
What happens if I miss an RMD?+
SECURE 2.0 reduced the excise tax penalty for a missed RMD from 50% to 25% of the shortfall, and it drops further to 10% if you correct the mistake within a defined correction window — still a meaningful penalty worth avoiding.
Do Roth IRAs require RMDs?+
No. Roth IRAs are exempt from RMDs during the original owner's lifetime. Roth 401(k)s were also exempted from RMDs starting in 2024 under SECURE 2.0.
Can I delay my first RMD?+
Yes — your first RMD can be delayed until April 1 of the year after you turn the RMD age, but if you do, you'll need to take two RMDs in that same calendar year (the delayed one plus that year's regular one), which can push you into a higher tax bracket.
Which balance do I use — this year's or last year's?+
Your RMD is based on your account balance as of December 31 of the prior year, divided by the IRS distribution period for your current age.
Can I save my results?+
Yes. Use “Save results” to store a snapshot. Without an account it remains in this browser. If you log in, saved scenarios sync securely to your SmartRates account so they are available on your other devices.
How do I share my calculation?+
Click “Share” in the toolbar to copy a link (or open your device’s share sheet). The link encodes your exact inputs, so whoever opens it sees the calculator pre-filled with the same numbers and the same result.
Can I email my calculator results?+
Yes. Click “Email results” to open your default email application with the current inputs, results, and calculator link already included. Review the message and choose the recipient before sending.
Can I export or print my results as a PDF?+
Yes. Click “Export PDF” to open a clean, printable summary of your inputs and results that you can save as a PDF or print. It includes a timestamp and a link back to the calculator.
How accurate are the calculator results?+
The arithmetic follows the formula and assumptions documented on this page. The result is still an estimate because actual rates, fees, taxes, timing conventions, eligibility rules, and provider calculations can differ. Use figures from your official quote, statement, contract, or tax form before making a financial decision.
Which inputs have the biggest effect on the result?+
Rate, time, starting balance, recurring payments or contributions, and fees usually have the largest effects. Change one input at a time to create a conservative, expected, and optimistic scenario instead of relying on a single forecast.
Are taxes, fees, and inflation included?+
Only when they appear as an input or are explicitly described in the methodology. Do not assume an omitted cost is zero. Review the formula and methodology sections to see exactly what is included before comparing the result with an outside quote.
Can this calculator predict future rates or returns?+
No. A calculator projects the assumptions entered; it cannot predict market returns, inflation, variable interest rates, tax-law changes, or provider decisions. Rerun the calculation with several assumptions to understand the range of possible outcomes.
Why might my lender, bank, broker, or tax software show a different result?+
Professional systems may use daily timing, transaction dates, compounding conventions, rounding rules, account-specific fees, credits, eligibility details, or regulations that a general-purpose calculator cannot know. A small difference can be rounding; a large difference usually means an assumption or included cost is different.
Disclaimer: Calculations are for informational purposes only and do not constitute professional financial advice. Please consult with a certified professional before making financial decisions.