Retirement & Planning

Required Minimum Distribution (RMD)

Use this calculator to determine your Required Minimum Distributions (RMD) as an account owner of a retirement account. This financial calculator will also look at potential future year's distribution requirements.

Inputs
$
%

Estimates only. Adjust any value to recalculate instantly.

Results
Required minimum distribution $20,325 4.1% of the balance, at age 75
Account balance $500,000
Life expectancy factor 24.6 Uniform Lifetime Table
This year’s RMD $20,325
Monthly equivalent $1,693.77
RMD as a share of the balance
RMD as a share of the balance Stays invested: $480kMust withdraw: $20k
  • Stays invested $480k
  • Must withdraw $20k
Account balance Projected balance
Account balance: Projected balance $543k$407k$272k$136k$0 75798387919599

Your RMD is the prior year-end balance divided by an IRS life-expectancy factor (24.6 at age 75). RMDs begin at 73 and are taxed as ordinary income; missing one carries a stiff penalty.

Projected RMDs by ageView table
AgeLife-expectancy factorRMDYear-end balance
7524.6$20,325$508,455
7623.7$21,454$516,222
7722.9$22,542$523,300
7822.0$23,786$529,484
7921.1$25,094$534,654
8020.2$26,468$538,677
8119.4$27,767$541,565
8218.5$29,274$543,028
8317.7$30,680$543,090
8416.8$32,327$541,409
8516.0$33,838$538,025
8615.2$35,396$532,786
8714.4$36,999$525,534
8813.7$38,360$516,405
8912.9$40,031$504,956
9012.2$41,390$491,380
9111.5$42,729$475,570
9210.8$44,034$457,428
9310.2$45,067$437,103
949.5$46,011$414,558
959.0$46,319$390,333
968.4$46,468$364,496
977.9$46,433$337,148
987.3$46,185$308,421
996.9$45,025$279,200
1006.4$43,625$249,709

How the required minimum distribution (rmd) calculator works

It divides your prior year-end balance by the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table factor for your age — a number that shrinks as you get older — to give the minimum you must withdraw this year.

Worked example

Worked example: with account balance (prior year-end) of $500,000, your age of 75 and expected annual return of 6.00%, the required minimum distribution (rmd) calculator shows required minimum distribution of $20,325.

Account balance
$500,000
Life expectancy factor
24.6
This year’s RMD
$20,325
Monthly equivalent
$1,693.77

The formula

RMD = prior year-end balance ÷ life expectancy factor (from the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table for your 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 required minimum distribution (rmd)

When do RMDs start?

At age 73 under current law (SECURE 2.0). You must take the first by April 1 of the year after you turn 73, and one each year thereafter.

What happens if I miss an RMD?

The penalty is steep — historically 50%, now 25% (or 10% if corrected promptly) of the amount you failed to withdraw. Always take at least the required minimum.

Are RMDs taxed?

Yes — withdrawals from traditional accounts are taxed as ordinary income. Roth IRAs have no RMDs for the original owner, a key planning advantage.

Is the Required Minimum Distribution (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.