Retirement Calculator
RMD Calculator: What It Calculates and How to Read the Result
Quick answer
Your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) at age 73+ is calculated by dividing your prior-year-end IRA balance by the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table divisor for your age. At age 73 the divisor is 26.5, meaning your first RMD is roughly 3.77% of the balance. The divisor shrinks every year, so RMDs grow as a percentage of the remaining balance.
Default: end of year (growth applies before RMD).
Default: Uniform Lifetime (Table III)
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| Age | Year | Starting | Growth | Divisor | RMD | Ending |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 73 | 2026 | $1,000,000 | $50,000 | 26.5 | $39,623 | $1,010,377 |
| 74 | 2027 | $1,010,377 | $50,519 | 25.5 | $41,604 | $1,019,292 |
| 75 | 2028 | $1,019,292 | $50,965 | 24.6 | $43,506 | $1,026,751 |
| 76 | 2029 | $1,026,751 | $51,338 | 23.7 | $45,489 | $1,032,599 |
| 77 | 2030 | $1,032,599 | $51,630 | 22.9 | $47,346 | $1,036,883 |
| 78 | 2031 | $1,036,883 | $51,844 | 22.0 | $49,488 | $1,039,240 |
| 79 | 2032 | $1,039,240 | $51,962 | 21.1 | $51,716 | $1,039,486 |
| 80 | 2033 | $1,039,486 | $51,974 | 20.2 | $54,033 | $1,037,427 |
| 81 | 2034 | $1,037,427 | $51,871 | 19.4 | $56,149 | $1,033,149 |
| 82 | 2035 | $1,033,149 | $51,657 | 18.5 | $58,638 | $1,026,169 |
| 83 | 2036 | $1,026,169 | $51,308 | 17.7 | $60,874 | $1,016,603 |
| 84 | 2037 | $1,016,603 | $50,830 | 16.8 | $63,538 | $1,003,895 |
| 85 | 2038 | $1,003,895 | $50,195 | 16.0 | $65,881 | $988,209 |
| 86 | 2039 | $988,209 | $49,410 | 15.2 | $68,264 | $969,355 |
| 87 | 2040 | $969,355 | $48,468 | 14.4 | $70,682 | $947,141 |
| 88 | 2041 | $947,141 | $47,357 | 13.7 | $72,591 | $921,907 |
| 89 | 2042 | $921,907 | $46,095 | 12.9 | $75,039 | $892,963 |
| 90 | 2043 | $892,963 | $44,648 | 12.2 | $76,853 | $860,758 |
| 91 | 2044 | $860,758 | $43,038 | 11.5 | $78,591 | $825,205 |
| 92 | 2045 | $825,205 | $41,260 | 10.8 | $80,228 | $786,237 |
| 93 | 2046 | $786,237 | $39,312 | 10.1 | $81,738 | $743,811 |
| 94 | 2047 | $743,811 | $37,191 | 9.5 | $82,211 | $698,791 |
| 95 | 2048 | $698,791 | $34,940 | 8.9 | $82,442 | $651,289 |
| 96 | 2049 | $651,289 | $32,564 | 8.4 | $81,411 | $602,442 |
| 97 | 2050 | $602,442 | $30,122 | 7.8 | $81,098 | $551,466 |
| 98 | 2051 | $551,466 | $27,573 | 7.3 | $79,321 | $499,719 |
| 99 | 2052 | $499,719 | $24,986 | 6.8 | $77,163 | $447,543 |
| 100 | 2053 | $447,543 | $22,377 | 6.4 | $73,425 | $396,495 |
Growth is applied annually. By default, growth applies before RMDs (end-of-year). With the beginning-of-year toggle, the RMD is taken before growth for that year.
RMDs are computed using the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table (Table III) by default. Joint Life (Table II) is available when modeling Married Filing Jointly scenarios.
This calculator provides educational estimates only. Actual RMD rules and outcomes may vary. Consult a qualified tax professional.
What This Calculator Actually Answers
This calculator computes your specific RMD amount for each year, starting at your required beginning date (currently April 1 of the year after you turn 73 under SECURE 2.0). It uses the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table, the same divisor table the IRS publishes annually, to convert your year-end IRA balance into the required distribution amount.
For households with multiple traditional IRAs, all balances are aggregated before computing the total RMD, but the distribution can be taken from any one or several accounts. 401(k) RMDs are calculated and distributed separately from each individual 401(k); they cannot be aggregated with IRAs.
How to Read the Result
The RMD number itself is the floor: you can always take more. The point of computing it is to ensure you take at least the minimum (the penalty for under-withdrawal is steep: 25% of the shortfall, reducible to 10% if corrected promptly).
The more important read is the trajectory over time. A $2M traditional IRA at age 73 produces an RMD of roughly $75,500. By age 80 the same balance (assuming modest growth) produces an RMD closer to $115,000. By age 90 the divisor has dropped to 12.2, an 8.2% withdrawal rate that, combined with Social Security and any pension, often pushes households into higher tax brackets and across IRMAA thresholds.
Common Mistakes
- Missing the deadline. RMDs are due by December 31 of each calendar year (except the first RMD, which has an April 1 grace period). Missing the deadline triggers a 25% excise tax on the shortfall.
- Forgetting that 401(k) RMDs cannot be aggregated with IRA RMDs. Each 401(k) requires its own RMD; IRAs can be aggregated.
- Reinvesting the RMD into a taxable brokerage account without first considering a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) for the charitable portion of your annual giving.
- Calculating the RMD on the wrong year-end balance. The RMD uses the prior December 31 balance, not a current balance or an average.
- Ignoring the IRMAA two-year-out consequence of large RMDs combined with Social Security and other income.
When This Calculator Is Not the Right Tool
This tool gives you the mandatory minimum. It does not tell you the optimal amount to withdraw, which often exceeds the RMD when bracket-filling makes sense, or when partial Roth conversions during the same year are advisable. For the strategic question of how much to draw and from which accounts, use the Tax-Efficient Withdrawal calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do RMDs start?
Under SECURE 2.0, the required beginning date is April 1 of the year after you turn 73 (rising to age 75 starting in 2033 for those born in 1960 or later — pending any future legislative changes). You can choose to take the first RMD in the year you turn 73 (before December 31) instead of waiting to April 1 of the following year, which avoids stacking two RMDs in one calendar year.
What if I'm still working at 73?
If you're still working for the employer that sponsors your 401(k), and you don't own 5%+ of the company, you can delay your 401(k) RMD from that plan until you actually retire — the 'still-working exception.' This does not apply to IRAs or to 401(k)s from previous employers, which begin at 73 regardless.
Can I take my RMD from just one account if I have multiple IRAs?
Yes. For traditional IRAs, the RMD is calculated on the aggregate balance but can be taken from any combination of IRAs. For 401(k)s, each account requires its own RMD distribution — they cannot be aggregated.
What is a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)?
A QCD lets you direct up to $108,000 (2026 limit, indexed annually) per year from an IRA directly to a qualified charity. The distribution counts toward your RMD but is excluded from your taxable income — which is a better tax outcome than taking the RMD into income and then deducting a charitable contribution (especially since you may not itemize). QCDs are available starting at age 70½, even before RMDs begin at 73.