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Minimum IRA Distribution Calculator

Estimate required minimum distribution (RMD) for a traditional IRA using a simplified divisor lookup by age.

Results

Divisor (simplified)
22.90
Estimated RMD
$13,100

How to use this calculator

  1. Enter your age and IRA balance.
  2. We pick a divisor based on age and compute RMD.
  3. Review the estimated RMD amount.
  4. If you need precision, reference the current IRS Uniform Lifetime Table for your exact age.
  5. Repeat with higher ages to see how RMDs climb over time and how that affects taxable income.

Inputs explained

Divisor
Sample divisor from a simplified RMD table; actual IRS tables may differ slightly by year.
Age
Rounded to a whole number in this estimator; IRS uses exact age per table year.
IRA balance
Prior-year-end balance used for RMD calculations.

How it works

Uses a simplified divisor table for sample ages (70–90+).

RMD = balance ÷ divisor (age rounded to nearest whole year in this estimator).

Divisors shrink as age increases, so RMDs grow over time.

Formula

RMD ≈ prior-year-end balance ÷ divisor. Divisor comes from a simplified table by age (not an official IRS table); RMD rises as the divisor decreases with age.

When to use it

  • Quick RMD estimate for planning distributions.
  • Illustrating how RMDs grow as divisors shrink with age.
  • Forecasting taxable income impact and withholding needs for retirees.
  • Testing how additional withdrawals affect remaining balance versus RMDs.
  • Stress-testing retirement cash flow when RMDs increase at later ages.
  • Educational demos on why delaying withdrawals can accelerate RMD size later.
  • Estimating the impact of RMDs on IRMAA brackets or tax bracket management.
  • Checking if a partial Roth conversion today might lower future RMDs (by reducing balance).
  • Planning QCD amounts (not modeled here) by seeing the approximate RMD you must distribute.
  • Comparing two account balances to see which should be tapped for discretionary withdrawals beyond RMDs.

Tips & cautions

  • Use the official IRS Uniform Lifetime Table for precise planning; this is a simplified illustration.
  • Round age to nearest whole number for this estimator.
  • For inherited IRAs or spouse beneficiaries more than 10 years younger, different tables apply—this tool does not model those.
  • Remember RMDs are generally required starting at age 73 (SECURE 2.0) for most taxpayers; this tool doesn’t enforce start age, it just estimates amount.
  • Consider withholding or quarterly estimates to cover the tax from your RMD.
  • If you have multiple IRAs, RMDs are calculated per account but can usually be taken from any one IRA—still, the total comes from the sum of per-account RMDs.
  • Running this annually with your December 31 balance mirrors the timing of real RMD calculations.
  • If you took extra in prior years, it does not reduce future RMDs; the divisor keeps declining each year.
  • Spreading withdrawals throughout the year can help manage cash flow, but the total RMD must be met by year-end.
  • If you delay the first RMD until April 1 of the following year, you’ll have two RMDs in that year; this tool doesn’t enforce timing—plan for the tax hit.
  • Coordinate with Social Security start dates; stacking RMDs and SS can push you into higher brackets or IRMAA tiers.
  • For SEP/SIMPLE IRAs, RMDs still apply even if you’re working; this tool assumes a traditional IRA-style balance.
  • Simplified divisors; not the full IRS table.
  • Does not handle beneficiaries, 10-year rules, or Roth IRAs (no RMDs).
  • Does not model qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) or multi-account aggregation rules.
  • No inflation/return modeling; static balance input only.
  • Does not enforce first-RMD deferral to April 1 of the following year.
  • Ignores age-change during the year; uses rounded age for a quick estimate only.
  • Does not adjust for spouse more than 10 years younger (Joint Life table) or surviving spouse rollover timing.
  • Does not compute excise taxes for missed RMDs or track make-up strategies.
  • Balance is user-entered; market returns or withdrawals during the year are not simulated.
  • Does not separate pre-tax vs after-tax basis (Form 8606); assumes fully pre-tax traditional IRA dollars.
  • Does not include plan-specific rules (401k/403b RMDs, still-working exceptions).

Worked examples

Age 73 with $300k balance

  • Age rounded: 73. Sample divisor (simplified) ≈ 26.5.
  • RMD ≈ $300,000 ÷ 26.5 ≈ $11,320.

Age 80 with larger balance

  • Age rounded: 80. Sample divisor (simplified) ≈ 20.2.
  • RMD ≈ $500,000 ÷ 20.2 ≈ $24,752.

Age 90 illustration

  • Age rounded: 90. Sample divisor (simplified) ≈ 11.4.
  • RMD ≈ $400,000 ÷ 11.4 ≈ $35,088—illustrates how RMDs grow with age.

Comparing ages

  • Same balance $400,000 at ages 73 vs 80.
  • 73: divisor ~26.5 → RMD ≈ $15,094. 80: divisor ~20.2 → RMD ≈ $19,802.
  • Shows how aging alone raises the required distribution.

Checking IRMAA impact

  • Balance $600,000, Age 75 (divisor ~24.6).
  • RMD ≈ $600,000 ÷ 24.6 ≈ $24,390.
  • Use this estimate to see if combined income might trigger Medicare IRMAA surcharges.

Roth conversion planning prompt

  • Balance $500,000, Age 65 (not yet subject to RMDs). Divisor here is for illustration.
  • RMD at 73 using this balance: $500,000 ÷ 26.5 ≈ $18,867 (simplified).
  • Shows why some pre-73 Roth conversions can reduce future RMDs by lowering the traditional balance.

First-year deferral consideration

  • Balance $350,000, Age 73 (first RMD year). Divisor ~26.5 → RMD ≈ $13,208.
  • If you defer to April 1 next year, you’ll owe this RMD plus the next year’s RMD in the same tax year.
  • This illustrates the cash/tax stacking risk of deferring the first RMD.

Deep dive

Estimate your IRA required minimum distribution with a simplified divisor table for ages 70–90.

Enter age and IRA balance to see an estimated RMD amount for planning.

Use this as a quick check, then confirm with the current IRS Uniform Lifetime Table for accuracy.

Model how rising age shrinks divisors and increases required withdrawals over time.

Compare RMD estimates at different ages to understand future taxable income and withholding needs.

Use the quick RMD estimate to gauge if QCDs or partial Roth conversions make sense alongside required withdrawals.

Estimate how RMDs might push you into higher tax brackets or IRMAA tiers so you can plan withholding.

See how delaying distributions until age 73 can increase later-year RMDs because divisors keep falling.

Plan cash flow by projecting how much you’ll need to withdraw each year as you age.

Educate clients or family on how IRA balances convert to taxable income via RMDs with a simple divisor model.

FAQs

When do RMDs start?
Most taxpayers start at age 73 under SECURE 2.0. This tool does not enforce the start age; it just estimates amounts based on age and balance.
Do Roth IRAs have RMDs?
No for the original owner. Inherited Roth IRAs can have distribution requirements under separate rules. This tool is for traditional IRAs only.
What if I miss an RMD?
There can be an excise tax on missed amounts. This tool does not calculate penalties. If you missed one, talk to a tax pro about making it up and filing the appropriate forms.
Does still working exempt me?
The still-working exception can apply to some employer plans, not to traditional IRAs. This tool assumes IRA rules (no working exception).
How do multiple IRAs work?
Calculate each account’s RMD separately using its balance and divisor. You can usually take the total RMD from any one IRA. This tool shows a single-account estimate for simplicity.
Can I offset RMDs with QCDs?
Qualified charitable distributions can satisfy part or all of an RMD. This tool doesn’t track QCDs; use the estimate here to size potential QCDs.
Does the tool use the official IRS table?
No. It uses a simplified divisor to illustrate the math. For exact amounts, use the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table for your age.

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This is a simplified RMD estimator using sample divisors for illustration. It is not the official IRS Uniform Lifetime Table and does not model spouse/beneficiary rules, inherited IRA rules, QCDs, or start-age enforcement. Verify amounts with the IRS tables or your tax advisor.