Ad placeholder — leaderboard
Required Minimum Distribution Calculator
Calculate your 2026 Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from your IRA or 401(k) using the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table.
Ad placeholder — in-article
Required Distribution
Distribution Period (Years)
Percent of Balance
Calculated in your browser. We never see your numbers.
How to Use This Calculator
Enter your retirement account balance as of December 31 of the prior year — this is the figure reported on your year-end account statement. Then enter your age for the current year. Click Calculate to see your Required Minimum Distribution amount, the IRS distribution period factor for your age, and the RMD as a percentage of your total balance. If you have multiple retirement accounts, calculate each one separately and add the results together.
About the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table
The IRS Uniform Lifetime Table provides the distribution period (also called the life expectancy factor) used to calculate RMDs. The table runs from age 72 to age 120, with larger distribution periods at younger ages resulting in smaller required withdrawals. For example, the factor at age 72 is 27.4 years, while at age 90 it drops to 12.2 years. The IRS updated the Uniform Lifetime Table in 2022 using more current mortality data, reducing RMDs slightly compared to the old table. The 2026 values reflect these updated IRS Publication 590-B figures.
Ad placeholder — rectangle
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD)?
A Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) is the minimum amount the IRS requires you to withdraw each year from your tax-deferred retirement accounts once you reach a certain age. These mandatory withdrawals ensure the government eventually collects income tax on funds that have grown tax-deferred. The RMD amount is calculated by dividing your account balance (as of December 31 of the prior year) by a life expectancy factor from the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table.
At what age do I need to start taking RMDs?
Under the SECURE 2.0 Act, the RMD starting age depends on your birth year. If you were born between 1951 and 1959, you must start taking RMDs at age 73. If you were born in 1960 or later, the starting age is 75. The IRS Uniform Lifetime Table used in this calculator covers ages 72 through 120, which may also apply to beneficiaries and those with pre-SECURE Act accounts. Always consult a tax advisor for your specific situation.
How is the RMD amount calculated?
Your RMD is calculated by dividing your retirement account balance as of December 31 of the prior year by a distribution period factor from the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table. For example, if your account balance was $500,000 at year-end and your age this year is 72, the distribution period is 27.4 years, so your RMD is $500,000 ÷ 27.4 = $18,248. If you have multiple accounts, you calculate RMDs separately for each account type.
What accounts require RMDs?
RMDs are required from traditional IRAs, SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs, 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans, 457(b) plans, and most other tax-deferred retirement accounts. Roth IRAs are exempt from RMDs during the account owner's lifetime, making them a popular vehicle for avoiding mandatory withdrawals. Starting in 2024, Roth 401(k) accounts are also exempt from RMDs during the owner's lifetime under the SECURE 2.0 Act.
What happens if I miss an RMD?
Failing to take your full RMD results in a 25% excise tax on the amount not withdrawn. However, this penalty is reduced to 10% if you correct the shortfall within a two-year correction window. This is a significant improvement from the previous 50% penalty under the old rules. To avoid penalties, consider setting up automatic distributions from your retirement accounts or working with a financial advisor to schedule RMDs each year.
Ad placeholder — leaderboard