Current-Year Required Minimum Distribution

After a certain age, the IRS requires minimum withdrawals. Estimate this year's.

Your numbers

$

Your RMD

Required this year
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Uses the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table: RMD = prior year-end balance รท the distribution period for your age. RMDs generally begin at age 73. Roth IRAs have no RMDs during the owner's life. Not tax advice.
About this calculator

Current-Year Required Minimum Distribution

A required minimum distribution (RMD) calculator estimates the minimum you must withdraw this year from a traditional retirement account, using the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table.

How RMDs work

Once you reach the RMD age (73 under current rules), the IRS requires you to withdraw a minimum each year from traditional IRAs and 401(k)s, so the tax-deferred money is eventually taxed. The RMD equals your prior year-end balance divided by a distribution period from the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table, which shrinks as you age, raising the required percentage.

Getting it right

Missing an RMD triggers a steep penalty, so it's important to take at least the minimum by the deadline. Roth IRAs have no RMDs during the owner's lifetime, an advantage of Roth accounts. Some retirees withdraw more than the minimum or use qualified charitable distributions to manage taxes. This is an estimate, not tax advice.

How to use it

  1. Enter your account balance as of December 31.
  2. Enter your age this year.
  3. See your required minimum distribution.
  4. See it as a percentage of the balance.

Frequently asked questions

What age do RMDs start?

Under current rules, at age 73. The required amount is your prior year-end balance divided by an IRS life-expectancy factor.

How is an RMD calculated?

Prior year-end balance divided by the distribution period for your age from the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table. The calculator applies it for you.

Do Roth accounts have RMDs?

Roth IRAs have no RMDs during the owner's lifetime. Roth 401(k)s no longer require them either under recent rules.

See the exact formula and a worked example on our methodology page.

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