How to use the RMD calculator
- Enter the account balance on December 31 of last year. For a 2026 RMD, use the balance on December 31, 2025, from your year-end statement.
- Enter the year you were born and the year you want the RMD for.
- Add an expected growth rate to project future RMDs, and your tax rate to see what's left after tax.
IRS Uniform Lifetime Table (selected ages)
| Age | Factor | RMD on $100,000 | RMD on $500,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 73 | 26.5 | $3,774 | $18,868 |
| 75 | 24.6 | $4,065 | $20,325 |
| 80 | 20.2 | $4,950 | $24,752 |
| 85 | 16.0 | $6,250 | $31,250 |
| 90 | 12.2 | $8,197 | $40,984 |
| 95 | 8.9 | $11,236 | $56,180 |
| 100 | 6.4 | $15,625 | $78,125 |
The table is in IRS Publication 590-B (Table III) and has been in use since 2022. The calculator uses every age from 72 to 120. If your spouse is more than 10 years younger and your only beneficiary, the Joint Life table applies and your RMD is smaller.
When your RMDs start
| Born | First RMD at age |
|---|---|
| 1950 or earlier | Already started (age 72 or 70½) |
| 1951–1959 | 73 |
| 1960 or later | 75 |
You can delay the first RMD to April 1 of the year after you reach your start age. Every later RMD is due by December 31. Still working at 73? You can usually delay RMDs from your current employer's 401(k) until you retire, unless you own more than 5% of the company. IRAs have no such exception.
Which accounts have RMDs
- Traditional IRA, SEP IRA and SIMPLE IRA: yes.
- 401(k), 403(b), 457(b) and other workplace plans: yes (Roth 401(k)s no longer, since 2024).
- Roth IRA: not for the original owner.
- Inherited IRAs: different rules, often the 10-year rule; this calculator doesn't cover them.
Taxes and RMDs
RMDs from pre-tax accounts are taxed as ordinary income. A large RMD can push you into a higher bracket, make more of your Social Security taxable and raise Medicare premiums. Ways to manage it:
- Qualified charitable distributions (QCDs): from age 70½ you can give IRA money straight to charity; it counts toward your RMD and isn't taxed.
- Roth conversions before RMDs start spread the tax over lower-income years and shrink future RMDs.
- Withhold tax from the RMD so you don't owe a large bill in April.
How RMDs fit your retirement plan
The RMD is a minimum, not a spending plan. Many retirees withdraw more, and some reinvest RMDs they don't need in a taxable account. See how long your savings last at your withdrawal rate with the how long will my money last calculator, and compare account types in Roth IRA vs 401(k). Still saving? The 401(k) calculator and Roth IRA calculator show what you'll have.
See your whole retirement picture
Summit is a net worth tracker that keeps every account, from IRAs and 401(k)s to property and debts, in one place and shows how your net worth changes over time. Try the free demo with sample data.
IRS rules as of October 2026; not tax advice. Check RMDs with your account provider.
Frequently asked questions
How is an RMD calculated?
At what age do RMDs start?
When is the RMD deadline?
What happens if I miss an RMD?
Do Roth IRAs have RMDs?
Can I take one RMD from several accounts?
Written by
Finance Specialist & Editor, VaultlyApps
Emma Whitfield writes and edits the VaultlyApps money guides and free calculators. Her focus is US household finance — budgeting on a real paycheck, paying down credit card and student debt, emergency funds and savings goals, renting — and the money side of freelancing and small-business income, from pricing and profit margins to self-employment tax. Every guide is researched against primary sources such as IRS publications and the CFPB, every number is checked in our tested calculators, and tax content is reviewed each year when new IRS figures come out. Emma is not a licensed financial adviser or tax preparer; her work is general education, not personal advice.
Researched against primary US sources, checked against independent calculators and reviewed by a finance expert on our team. Written for US readers — general education, not financial, tax or legal advice. Editorial policy · Disclaimer
