RMD Calculator (Required Minimum Distribution)
Calculate your Required Minimum Distribution using the official IRS Uniform Lifetime Table. See this year's RMD and a 10-year projection.
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This Year's Required Minimum Distribution
Estimated • Based on your inputs
IRS Distribution Period Factor
25
Detailed Breakdown
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only. Results should not be considered financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a qualified professional for your specific situation.
How This Calculator Works
Calculation methodology and assumptions
Required Minimum Distribution = prior year-end account balance ÷ the IRS "distribution period" for your age, from the Uniform Lifetime Table (Table III) in IRS Publication 590-B. RMDs are required starting at age 73 under the SECURE 2.0 Act (rising to 75 in 2033). The 10-year projection assumes the remaining balance grows at your expected return after each year's RMD is withdrawn. This calculator uses the Uniform Lifetime Table, which applies to nearly all owners — the exception is if your sole beneficiary is a spouse more than 10 years younger, in which case the IRS Joint Life Table applies instead and your actual RMD may be lower.
How to Use This Investment & Retirement Calculator
- 1
Fill in Your Age (as of Dec 31 this year)
Your Age (as of Dec 31 this year) starts at 75. Replace it with your own figure.
- 2
Fill in Account Balance (Dec 31 prior year)
Account Balance (Dec 31 prior year) starts at $500,000. Replace it with your own figure.
- 3
Fill in Expected Annual Return (for projection)
Expected Annual Return (for projection) starts at 5%. Replace it with your own figure.
- 4
Read the results
The calculator leads with This Year's Required Minimum Distribution and IRS Distribution Period Factor, followed by 2 supporting figures.
Example Calculation
What the calculator above returns before you change anything: an account owner aged 75 with $500,000 in a traditional IRA or 401(k).
At 75 you are past the age-73 start, and the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table divisor for that age is 24.6. The required minimum is the balance divided by the divisor: $500,000 ÷ 24.6 = $20,325.
Result: Required minimum distribution: $20,325, 4.07% of the balance. Each later year uses that year's starting balance and the smaller divisor for the new age; the 5% return only shapes the projection.
What Affects Your Results
Rate of Return
Even small differences compound massively over time. 7% vs. 8% over 30 years on $100K means a difference of $200K+. Asset allocation drives your expected return.
Time Horizon
Compounding accelerates exponentially. Most of your wealth is generated in the final years — a 30-year investment earns more in its last 5 years than its first 15.
Contribution Consistency
Regular monthly investments (dollar-cost averaging) smooth out market volatility and ensure you're always buying — including during dips when prices are low.
Fees & Expenses
A 1% annual fee vs. 0.1% fee on a $500K portfolio costs you $4,500/year extra. Over 30 years, high fees can consume 25–30% of potential returns. Use low-cost index funds.
Tips & Best Practices
- Start early. Thanks to compounding, $200/month invested from age 25 to 65 at 8% returns grows to ~$700K. Waiting until 35 cuts that to ~$300K — a $400K penalty for the 10-year delay.
- Don't try to time the market. Research consistently shows that time in the market beats timing the market. Missing the 10 best trading days over 20 years can halve your returns.
- Consider tax-advantaged accounts first: 401(k) (especially with employer match), IRA, HSA. These reduce your tax drag — a 25% tax bracket investor keeps more in a tax-deferred account.
- Rebalance annually. If stocks outperform and grow from 80% to 90% of your portfolio, rebalancing back to 80% locks in gains and manages risk.
- Factor in your state's tax treatment of investment income. Some states exempt certain investment income or have lower rates on capital gains.
StateCalc Team
Editorial Team
The StateCalc team builds financial calculators using data from official government sources including the IRS, U.S. Census Bureau, BLS, and state revenue departments. All formulas are validated by an automated test suite and cross-referenced against published data.
Our editorial standardsFrequently Asked Questions
At what age do RMDs start?
Under the SECURE 2.0 Act, Required Minimum Distributions must begin at age 73 (for those turning 72 after 2022). The RMD age rises again to 75 starting in 2033. Roth IRAs (unlike Roth 401(k)s before 2024) are not subject to RMDs during the original owner's lifetime.
What happens if I miss my RMD?
The IRS imposes an excise tax on missed or insufficient RMDs — 25% of the amount not withdrawn, reduced to 10% if corrected within two years. Always take your full RMD by December 31 each year (the first year has a grace period until April 1 of the following year).
How is the RMD distribution period determined?
The distribution period comes from the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table based solely on your age — for example, 26.5 at age 73, 24.6 at age 75, and 16.0 at age 85. Divide your account balance by that number to get your RMD.
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