RMD Calculator
Your required distribution from the Uniform Lifetime Table, and the share of the balance it represents.
Uniform Lifetime Table. The distribution must be taken by December 31, except in your first RMD year, when you may defer to April 1 of the following year, which then puts two distributions in one tax year. Missing one carries a penalty of 25% of the shortfall, cut to 10% if corrected promptly.
Worked example. At 73 with $1,000,000 at last December 31, the Uniform Lifetime factor is 26.5, so the required distribution is $37,736, about 3.8% of the balance. The factor shrinks every year, so the required share climbs steadily: by 85 it is 6.3%.
Frequently asked questions
When do RMDs start?
Age 73 under SECURE 2.0, rising to 75 for those born in 1960 or later. Your first one may be deferred to April 1 of the following year, but doing that puts two distributions in the same tax year, which often pushes income into a higher bracket.
Which accounts require them?
Traditional IRAs, SEP and SIMPLE IRAs, and most employer plans. Roth IRAs never require distributions during the owner's lifetime, and since 2024 neither do designated Roth accounts in a 401(k).
What if I miss one?
The penalty is 25% of the amount not taken, reduced to 10% if corrected within a short window. It is one of the harsher penalties in the tax code, and it is entirely avoidable.
Can I take more than the minimum?
Yes, it is a floor rather than a cap. Some retirees deliberately withdraw more in low-income years to fill up a lower bracket before RMDs and Social Security push them higher.
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Calculators model hypothetical outcomes from the inputs you provide. They are informational only, not financial, investment, tax, or legal advice.