The SECURE 2.0 Act raised the RMD age to 73 from 2023 and 75 from 2033. Missing an RMD triggers a 25% excise tax on the shortfall (10% if corrected promptly). If your spouse is more than 10 years younger and your sole beneficiary, the Joint Life table gives a smaller RMD – enter that factor as custom.
How to use the RMD Calculator – Required Minimum Distributions
- Your age at the end of this year
- Account balance as of Dec 31 last year
- Spouse more than 10 years younger and sole beneficiary?
- Joint and Last Survivor factor
- Expected growth of the account
Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.
How it works
Enter your age at the end of this year and your balance at the end of last year, or a custom factor.
Tips
- Tax figures here are estimates for planning – your actual tax depends on credits, deductions and local rules.
- Check the tax year and filing status before you rely on a result.
- Use gross (before-tax) figures unless a field asks for take-home pay.
- When in doubt, confirm with the tax authority’s own calculator or a tax professional.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Confusing marginal and effective tax rates.
- Adding sales tax to a price that already includes it.
- Forgetting payroll taxes (Social Security and Medicare) on wages.
Inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Your age at the end of this year | A number |
| Account balance as of Dec 31 last year | Amount in your currency |
| Spouse more than 10 years younger and sole beneficiary? | Choose one: No – use the Uniform Lifetime Table, Yes – enter the Joint Life factor |
| Joint and Last Survivor factor | A number |
| Expected growth of the account | In % |
What each result means
- Share of the balance = [Required minimum distribution]÷[Account balance as of Dec 31 last year]×100
- Monthly equivalent = [Required minimum distribution]÷12
- Balance after the RMD and a year’s growth = ([Account balance as of Dec 31 last year] – [Required minimum distribution])×(1 + [Expected growth of the account]÷100)
Formula
RMD = account balance on Dec 31 of the previous year ÷ life expectancy factorUniform Lifetime Table (age 73: 26.5; 75: 24.6; 80: 20.2; 85: 16.0; 90: 12.2)RMDs start at age 73 (75 for those born in 1960 or later)Worked example
Inputs — Your age at the end of this year: 75; Account balance as of Dec 31 last year: $500,000; Spouse more than 10 years younger and sole beneficiary?: No – use the Uniform Lifetime Table; Joint and Last Survivor factor: 27.4; Expected growth of the account: 5 %.
Results — Life expectancy factor = 24.6; Required minimum distribution = $20,325.20; Share of the balance = 4.07 %; Monthly equivalent = $1,693.77; Balance after the RMD and a year's growth = $503,658.54.
Frequently asked questions
When do RMDs start?
At age 73 (75 for people born in 1960 or later).
What happens if I miss an RMD?
A 25% excise tax on the shortfall, reduced to 10% if corrected in time.
Do Roth IRAs have RMDs?
Not for the original owner; Roth 401(k)s also no longer require them from 2024.
What formula does the RMD Calculator – Required Minimum Distributions use?
RMD = account balance on Dec 31 of the previous year ÷ life expectancy factor.