RMD Calculator
Calculate your exact Required Minimum Distribution using the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table. Includes a spouse-beneficiary option, penalty calculator, and 20-year projection.
2026 RMD Key Facts
- RMD Start Age
- 73
- First RMD Deadline
- April 1
- Missed RMD Penalty
- 25%
- Corrected Penalty
- 10%
- Roth IRA RMD
- None ✓
- Table Used
- Uniform Lifetime
RMD Calculator
Required Minimum Distribution calculator
ACCOUNT OWNER
ACCOUNT BALANCE
SPOUSE BENEFICIARY
PROJECTION SETTINGS
Your 2026 Required Minimum Distribution
$20,325
Age 75 · Balance $500,000 · Distribution Period 24.6
📅 Deadline: December 31, 202624.6
Dist. Period
4.1%
Withdrawal Rate
$2,439
Est. Tax Owed
$17,886
After-Tax Amount
⚠️ What If You Miss or Underpay Your RMD?
$5,081
25% Penalty (Missed)
$2,033
10% Penalty (Corrected)
$7,520
25% Penalty + Tax
If you miss an RMD, file Form 5329 and request a waiver promptly. The IRS reduces the penalty to 10% if the error is corrected within 2 years. Always take your RMD by December 31 (or April 1 in your first RMD year).
📋 IRS Uniform Lifetime Table — Your Age Highlighted
| Age | Distribution Period | Withdrawal Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Age 72 | 27.4 | 3.6% |
| Age 73 | 26.5 | 3.8% |
| Age 74 | 25.5 | 3.9% |
| Age 75 — You | 24.6 | 4.1% |
| Age 76 | 23.7 | 4.2% |
| Age 77 | 22.9 | 4.4% |
| Age 78 | 22.0 | 4.5% |
📈 RMD Projections: Required Withdrawal vs Remaining Balance
📅 20-Year RMD Projection Schedule
| Year | Age | Balance (Start) | Dist. Period | RMD Required | Tax | Year-End Balance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 75 | $500,000 | 24.6 | $20,325 | $2,439 | $503,659 |
| 2027 | 76 | $503,659 | 23.7 | $21,251 | $2,550 | $506,527 |
| 2028 | 77 | $506,527 | 22.9 | $22,119 | $2,654 | $508,629 |
| 2029 | 78 | $508,629 | 22.0 | $23,119 | $2,774 | $509,785 |
| 2030 | 79 | $509,785 | 21.1 | $24,160 | $2,899 | $509,906 |
| 2031 | 80 | $509,906 | 20.2 | $25,243 | $3,029 | $508,896 |
| 2032 | 81 | $508,896 | 19.4 | $26,232 | $3,148 | $506,797 |
| 2033 | 82 | $506,797 | 18.5 | $27,394 | $3,287 | $503,373 |
| 2034 | 83 | $503,373 | 17.7 | $28,439 | $3,413 | $498,681 |
| 2035 | 84 | $498,681 | 16.8 | $29,683 | $3,562 | $492,447 |
| 2036 | 85 | $492,447 | 16.0 | $30,778 | $3,693 | $484,753 |
| 2037 | 86 | $484,753 | 15.2 | $31,892 | $3,827 | $475,504 |
| 2038 | 87 | $475,504 | 14.4 | $33,021 | $3,963 | $464,607 |
| 2039 | 88 | $464,607 | 13.7 | $33,913 | $4,070 | $452,229 |
| 2040 | 89 | $452,229 | 12.9 | $35,056 | $4,207 | $438,031 |
| 2041 | 90 | $438,031 | 12.2 | $35,904 | $4,309 | $422,233 |
| 2042 | 91 | $422,233 | 11.5 | $36,716 | $4,406 | $404,793 |
| 2043 | 92 | $404,793 | 10.8 | $37,481 | $4,498 | $385,678 |
| 2044 | 93 | $385,678 | 10.1 | $38,186 | $4,582 | $364,866 |
| 2045 | 94 | $364,866 | 9.5 | $38,407 | $4,609 | $342,782 |
Understanding Required Minimum Distributions
Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) are mandatory annual withdrawals the IRS requires from traditional tax-deferred retirement accounts once you reach age 73. Our RMD calculator uses the actual IRS Uniform Lifetime Table to compute your exact required amount, penalty exposure, and a 20-year projection. See also our IRA calculator, Roth IRA calculator (no RMDs), and retirement calculator.
📋 RMD Rules & Deadlines
- Start age: 73 (SECURE Act 2.0)
- First RMD: By April 1 of the year after you turn 73
- Subsequent RMDs: December 31 each year
- Watch out: Delaying the first RMD means two distributions land in one year
- Multiple accounts: Traditional IRAs can be aggregated
- 401(k)s: Must each be withdrawn separately — can't aggregate
🧮 How RMD Is Calculated
- Formula: Account Balance ÷ IRS Distribution Period
- Balance used: December 31 of the prior year
- Table: IRS Uniform Lifetime Table (most retirees)
- Spouse 10+ years younger: Joint and Last Survivor Table (lower RMD)
- Age 73 divisor: 26.5 → withdrawal rate ~3.77%
- Age 80 divisor: 20.2 → withdrawal rate ~4.95%
💡 RMD Strategies
- Qualified Charitable Distribution: Donate up to $108,000 directly from an IRA — counts as your RMD but isn't taxable income
- Roth conversion: Convert IRA to Roth before 73 to reduce future RMDs
- Reinvest excess: If you don't need it, invest the after-tax proceeds in a taxable account
- Avoid double RMD: Take your first RMD by December 31 of your turning-73 year, not the following April
- Medicare impact: RMDs add to income which may affect Medicare premiums (IRMAA)
🏦 Which Accounts Have RMDs?
RMD Required
Traditional IRA, SEP-IRA, SIMPLE IRA, 401(k)/403(b)/457(b) plans, inherited Roth IRAs (for non-spouse beneficiaries).
No RMD Required
Roth IRA (during the original owner's lifetime), Roth 401(k) (starting 2024 under SECURE 2.0), a still-working employee's current employer 401(k) in most plans.
— FAQ