RMD Calculator

⚠ Missing an RMD triggers a 25% IRS penalty on the amount you should have withdrawn — this calculator helps you avoid it

Required Minimum Distribution Calculator

Know exactly what
the IRS requires
you to withdraw

At age 73, the government requires you to start withdrawing from your tax-deferred accounts each year — whether you need the money or not. This calculator shows you exactly how much, for the next 20 years.

25%

IRS penalty for
missing an RMD

Your Account Information

RMDs begin at age 73. Enter any age to see projections.

yrs

Used to project account balance forward. 5–6% is conservative.

% / yr

Use your account balance from December 31st of last year — that's what the IRS uses.

$

Traditional IRA and 401(k) are subject to RMDs. Roth IRAs are not (Roth 401(k)s now exempt too).

This Year's RMD

—

required withdrawal

Monthly Equivalent

—

per month if spread evenly

% of Account Withdrawn

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IRS life expectancy factor: —

Your RMD & Account Balance — 20-Year Projection
Annual RMD
Account Balance

Balance projections assume 5% annual return. Hover for exact values.

20-Year RMD Schedule

IRS Uniform Lifetime Table — Publication 590-B

Age Account Balance IRS Factor Annual RMD Monthly % Withdrawn

Plain-English Summary

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Watch: What Happens to Your 401(k) When You Retire?

The full video covers RMD rules, the 25% penalty, the QCD strategy, and how to build a withdrawal plan around your required distributions.

▶ Watch Free

Sources & Methodology

IRS — Required Minimum Distributions FAQs and Uniform Lifetime Table (Publication 590-B)
irs.gov — RMD FAQs

The Motley Fool — RMD Penalties Cost Retirees $1.7 Billion Annually (Vanguard Research)
fool.com — RMD Mistake Article

CNBC — Biggest Required Minimum Distribution Mistakes
cnbc.com — RMD Mistakes

IRS — Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCD) Rules for 2026
irs.gov — IRA Distribution FAQs