What Is a Required Minimum Distribution?
A required minimum distribution (RMD) is the minimum amount the IRS requires you to withdraw each year from tax-deferred retirement accounts once you reach the applicable starting age. The rule exists because contributions to accounts like traditional IRAs and 401(k)s were never taxed, so the government mandates eventual withdrawals to collect that deferred income tax.
RMDs apply to traditional IRAs, SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs, 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans, and 457(b) government plans. Roth IRAs are the notable exception — original owners are not required to take distributions during their lifetime.
How to Calculate Your RMD
The IRS formula is straightforward:
RMD = Prior December 31 account balance ÷ IRS life expectancy factor
The life expectancy factor (also called the distribution period) comes from the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table, Publication 590-B. You find the row matching your age in the year you are taking the distribution, not your age at the end of the prior year. If your spouse is the sole beneficiary of your IRA and is more than ten years younger than you, use the IRS Joint Life Expectancy Table instead — this produces a longer distribution period and a smaller annual withdrawal.
This calculator uses the Uniform Lifetime Table automatically. Just enter your December 31 account balance and your current age.
IRS Uniform Lifetime Table — Selected Distribution Periods (2026)
The table below shows the life expectancy factors for a range of ages. Your RMD equals your prior year-end balance divided by the factor for your age.
| Age | Distribution Period | Example RMD on $300,000 balance |
|---|---|---|
| 73 | 26.5 | $11,321 |
| 74 | 25.5 | $11,765 |
| 75 | 24.6 | $12,195 |
| 76 | 23.7 | $12,658 |
| 78 | 22.0 | $13,636 |
| 80 | 20.2 | $14,851 |
| 85 | 16.0 | $18,750 |
| 90 | 12.2 | $24,590 |
Factors decrease with age, so your required withdrawal grows as a percentage of the account each year even if the balance stays flat.
RMD Deadlines You Need to Know
The general deadline for each annual RMD is December 31. Your very first RMD gets a grace period: it must be taken by April 1 of the year following the year you turn 73. If you use that extension, remember that you will owe two distributions in that single calendar year (the delayed first-year RMD plus the regular second-year RMD), which may push a larger portion of your income into a higher tax bracket.
After the first year, every subsequent RMD is due December 31 with no extension.
Penalties for Missing an RMD
Missing or under-withdrawing your RMD triggers an IRS excise tax of 25% of the shortfall. If you discover and correct the missed withdrawal within the IRS two-year correction window, the penalty drops to 10%. You can also request a penalty waiver by filing Form 5329 and demonstrating reasonable cause for the error.
IRA vs. 401(k) RMD Rules
Traditional IRAs offer some flexibility: if you own multiple IRAs, you can calculate the RMD for each account separately but take the total from just one account (or any combination). That consolidation option does not carry over to workplace plans. Each 401(k) or 403(b) plan requires its own separate calculation and withdrawal, though multiple 403(b) accounts may be aggregated similar to IRAs.
Still working at 73 or older and contributing to your employer’s 401(k)? You may be able to defer RMDs from that specific plan until you retire, provided you own less than 5% of the company. IRA RMDs cannot be deferred on that basis.
RMD Calculator — Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about required minimum distributions, IRS rules, deadlines, and penalties.
What age do I have to start taking RMDs?
Under the SECURE 2.0 Act, the RMD starting age is 73 for anyone born between 1951 and 1959. If you were born in 1960 or later, the starting age rises to 75 (effective 2033). Prior to 2020 the threshold was 70½, and from 2020–2022 it was 72.
How is a required minimum distribution calculated?
Divide your retirement account balance as of December 31 of the previous year by the distribution period (life expectancy factor) that corresponds to your age in the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table. For example, if your IRA balance was $300,000 on Dec 31 and you are 75, the factor is 24.6, giving an RMD of roughly $12,195.
What is the penalty for missing an RMD?
Failing to take the full RMD triggers an IRS excise tax of 25% on the shortfall. If you correct the missed distribution within two years under the correction window, the penalty is reduced to 10%. You may also file Form 5329 to request a waiver for reasonable cause.
Can I take more than my RMD?
Yes. The IRS sets a minimum withdrawal, not a maximum. You can always withdraw more than the calculated amount; however, any additional withdrawal is still taxed as ordinary income and does not reduce your RMD obligation in future years.
Do Roth IRAs have RMD requirements?
No. Original Roth IRA owners are not subject to RMDs during their lifetime. However, Roth 401(k) accounts were subject to RMDs before 2024. Starting in 2024, the SECURE 2.0 Act eliminated RMDs from Roth 401(k) accounts as well, aligning them with Roth IRAs.
Can I combine my RMDs from multiple IRAs?
Yes, if you hold more than one traditional IRA. Calculate the RMD for each account separately, then take the total combined amount from any one or combination of your IRAs. For 401(k) and other workplace plans, RMDs must be calculated and withdrawn separately from each plan.
When is my first RMD due?
Your first RMD must be taken by April 1 of the year following the year you turn 73. Every subsequent RMD is due by December 31. If you delay your first RMD to April 1, you will need to take two distributions that calendar year, which can push you into a higher tax bracket.