RMD Calculator

How the RMD Calculator Works

Once you reach age 73, the IRS requires you to withdraw a minimum amount each year from most tax-deferred retirement accounts — traditional IRAs, 401(k)s, 403(b)s and similar. The required minimum distribution (RMD) is simply your account balance at the end of the previous year divided by a “distribution period” that comes from the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table. The older you are, the shorter the period, so the required share of the balance grows over time.

This calculator uses the current Uniform Lifetime Table (in effect since 2022) and shows the distribution period it looked up, so you can see exactly where the number comes from. It applies to most account holders; a separate table is used only if your sole beneficiary is a spouse more than 10 years younger than you.

RMD = prior year-end balance ÷ distribution period (from age)