Retirement & Planning

Beneficiary Required Minimum Distributions (RMD)

Use this calculator to determine your Required Minimum Distributions (RMD) as a beneficiary of a retirement account.

Inputs

Inherited account balance

Beneficiary age

Expected annual return

Estimates only. Adjust any value to recalculate instantly.

Results

Required minimum distribution $15,823 3.2% of the balance, at age 55

Account balance $500,000

Life expectancy factor 31.6 Single Life Table

This year’s RMD $15,823

Monthly equivalent $1,318.57

RMD as a share of the balance

Stays invested $484k
Must withdraw $16k

Account balance Projected balance

Inherited-account RMDs use the Single Life Table, which has smaller factors and larger required withdrawals. Many non-spouse beneficiaries must also empty the account within 10 years — confirm which rules apply to you.

Projected RMDs by ageView table

Age	Life-expectancy factor	RMD	Year-end balance
55	31.6	$15,823	$513,228
56	30.7	$16,718	$526,301
57	29.8	$17,661	$539,158
58	28.9	$18,656	$551,732
59	28.0	$19,705	$563,949
60	27.1	$20,810	$575,728
61	26.3	$21,924	$587,032
62	25.4	$23,093	$597,775
63	24.6	$24,320	$607,863
64	23.7	$25,605	$617,193
65	22.9	$26,952	$625,656
66	22.1	$28,336	$633,159
67	21.3	$29,782	$639,580
68	20.4	$31,291	$644,787
69	19.6	$32,864	$648,639
70	18.8	$34,502	$650,985
71	18.0	$36,166	$651,708
72	17.2	$37,890	$650,647
73	16.4	$39,674	$647,632
74	15.6	$41,515	$642,484
75	14.8	$43,411	$635,017
76	14.1	$45,101	$625,312
77	13.4	$46,805	$613,217
78	12.6	$48,514	$598,585
79	11.9	$50,217	$581,271
80	11.2	$51,899	$561,134
81	10.6	$53,037	$538,582
82	10.0	$54,075	$513,578
83	9.3	$54,987	$486,107
84	8.7	$55,746	$456,182
85	8.1	$56,319	$423,855
86	7.6	$55,624	$390,325
87	7.1	$54,667	$355,797
88	6.7	$53,423	$320,517
89	6.2	$51,864	$284,772
90	5.7	$49,960	$248,901
91	5.4	$46,437	$214,612
92	5.0	$42,751	$182,172
93	4.7	$38,926	$151,841
94	4.3	$34,986	$123,866
95	4.0	$30,967	$98,474
96	4.0	$24,618	$78,287
97	4.0	$19,572	$62,238
98	4.0	$15,559	$49,479
99	4.0	$12,370	$39,336
100	4.0	$9,834	$31,272

How the beneficiary required minimum distributions (rmd) calculator works

For an inherited account it uses the IRS Single Life Table, whose smaller factors produce larger required withdrawals, dividing the balance by the factor for the beneficiary’s age.

Worked example

Worked example: with inherited account balance of $500,000, beneficiary age of 55 and expected annual return of 6.00%, the beneficiary required minimum distributions (rmd) shows required minimum distribution of $15,823.

Account balance: $500,000
Life expectancy factor: 31.6
This year’s RMD: $15,823
Monthly equivalent: $1,318.57

The formula

Beneficiary RMD = inherited balance ÷ Single Life Table factor for the beneficiary’s age.

Results are estimates for educational purposes and are not financial advice. Confirm exact figures with your lender, plan administrator or advisor.

Frequently asked

Questions about the beneficiary required minimum distributions (rmd)

How are inherited-account RMDs different?

They use the Single Life Table, which has smaller factors and therefore larger required withdrawals than an owner’s RMD at the same age.

What is the 10-year rule?

Most non-spouse beneficiaries who inherited since 2020 must empty the account within 10 years. Some must also take annual RMDs during that window — the rules are intricate.

Do spouses have more options?

Yes — a surviving spouse can often treat the IRA as their own and delay distributions, unlike most other beneficiaries. Confirm your category before relying on any single rule.

Is the Beneficiary Required Minimum Distributions (RMD) free to use?

Yes. Every calculator on FinCalculators is completely free, with no sign-up, login or paywall. You can run as many scenarios as you like.

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