How to use the RMD calculator
- Enter your birth year and the year you are taking the distribution for.
- Enter the account balance on December 31 of the previous year. Use the year-end statement.
- Read your required minimum distribution, the IRS distribution period and a projection of future RMDs.
How the RMD is calculated
The distribution period comes from the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table. It shrinks each year, so the share you must take grows: about 3.8 % at 73, 4.9 % at 80 and 8.2 % at 90.
When RMDs start (SECURE 2.0)
| Born | First RMD at age |
|---|---|
| 1950 or earlier | 72 (or 70½ if born before July 1949) |
| 1951 to 1959 | 73 |
| 1960 or later | 75 |
Uniform Lifetime Table (excerpt)
| Age | Period | Age | Period | Age | Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 73 | 26.5 | 79 | 21.1 | 85 | 16.0 |
| 74 | 25.5 | 80 | 20.2 | 86 | 15.2 |
| 75 | 24.6 | 81 | 19.4 | 88 | 13.7 |
| 76 | 23.7 | 82 | 18.5 | 90 | 12.2 |
| 77 | 22.9 | 83 | 17.7 | 95 | 8.9 |
| 78 | 22.0 | 84 | 16.8 | 100 | 6.4 |
Example
Born in 1952, you turn 74 in 2026. With $500,000 in your IRA at the end of 2025, your 2026 RMD is $500,000 ÷ 25.5 = $19,608, about $1,634 a month.
Frequently asked questions
What if I miss an RMD?
The penalty is 25 % of the amount not taken, cut to 10 % if you correct it within two years. File Form 5329.
Do I need one RMD per account?
Calculate each IRA separately, but you may take the total from any of your IRAs. 401(k) RMDs must come from each plan.
Can I give my RMD to charity?
Yes. A qualified charitable distribution from an IRA, up to $111,000 in 2026, counts toward the RMD and is not taxed.
Sources: IRS Publication 590-B; Treas. Reg. §1.401(a)(9)-9 (Uniform Lifetime Table, 2022); SECURE 2.0 Act §107 and §302. Estimates only, not tax advice.
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Last reviewed: 2026-11-14. Results are estimates based on the returns you enter, not advice. See our disclaimer.