RMD Calculator 2026
Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) Calculator
Your Information
Use Dec 31 prior-year balance for official calculation
Social Security, pension, part-time work, etc.
IRS Uniform Lifetime Table
RMD = Prior Dec 31 Balance ÷ Distribution Period. The IRS ULT distribution period at age 73 is 26.5 years. SECURE 2.0 (2022) extended starting age from 72 → 73. Account types: Traditional IRA, 401(k), 403(b), 457(b), SEP-IRA, SIMPLE IRA.
Your RMD Results
| Year | Age | Balance | RMD | Net RMD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 73 | $500,000 | $18,868 | $16,432 |
| 2027 | 74 | $510,000 | $20,000 | $17,315 |
| 2028 | 75 | $519,400 | $21,114 | $18,184 |
| 2029 | 76 | $528,183 | $22,286 | $19,098 |
| 2030 | 77 | $536,251 | $23,417 | $19,980 |
| 2031 | 78 | $543,604 | $24,709 | $20,988 |
| 2032 | 79 | $550,028 | $26,068 | $22,048 |
| 2033 | 80 | $555,398 | $27,495 | $23,161 |
| 2034 | 81 | $559,578 | $28,844 | $24,213 |
| 2035 | 82 | $562,577 | $30,410 | $25,434 |
| 2036 | 83 | $564,098 | $31,870 | $26,574 |
| 2037 | 84 | $564,162 | $33,581 | $27,908 |
| 2038 | 85 | $562,415 | $35,151 | $29,133 |
| 2039 | 86 | $558,900 | $36,770 | $30,395 |
| 2040 | 87 | $553,458 | $38,435 | $31,694 |
Based on your results — what to do next:
Will your portfolio last through retirement?
Your current balance of $500,000 produces $18,868/yr in RMDs — model total retirement income needs.
Optimize your 401(k) before RMDs kick in
Contributing more pre-RMD can grow your $500,000 balance while deferring tax — model it here.
Roth conversions can reduce future RMDs
Converting to a Roth IRA means no RMDs. See how much tax-free growth you could lock in before age 73.
A Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) is the annual withdrawal the IRS mandates from tax-deferred retirement accounts (Traditional IRA, 401(k), 403(b), SEP-IRA) starting at age 73. This calculator uses the official IRS Uniform Lifetime Table — updated for SECURE 2.0 — to compute your exact RMD, estimate federal income tax due, and project your account balance and distributions over 30 years.
How RMDs Are Calculated
The IRS requires you to use your prior December 31 account balance divided by a distribution period factor from the Uniform Lifetime Table. This table — updated by the IRS in 2022 (effective Jan 1, 2022) — is based on joint life expectancy and generally applies to all account owners regardless of whether they have a beneficiary.
| Age | Distribution Period | RMD on $500,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 73 | 26.5 years | $18,868 |
| 75 | 24.6 years | $20,325 |
| 78 | 22 years | $22,727 |
| 80 | 20.2 years | $24,752 |
| 85 | 16 years | $31,250 |
| 90 | 12.2 years | $40,984 |
| 95 | 8.9 years | $56,180 |
| 100 | 6.4 years | $78,125 |
Example: You turn 75 in 2026 and your IRA balance was $600,000 on December 31, 2025. The ULT factor at age 75 is 24.6. Your 2026 RMD = $600,000 ÷ 24.6 = $24,390. This amount is added to your other taxable income and taxed at your marginal rate. If you're in the 22% bracket, you owe roughly $5,366 in federal income tax on the RMD.
⚠️ Expert Pro-Tip
Use Roth Conversions Before Age 73 to Shrink Future RMDs:Every dollar you convert from a Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA before RMDs begin is a dollar that won't be subject to mandatory withdrawals. A strategic “Roth conversion ladder” in your 60s and early 70s — especially in years when your taxable income is lower (post-retirement, pre-Social Security) — can dramatically reduce your lifetime RMD burden and lower Medicare IRMAA surcharges, which kick in at $103,000 for single filers in 2026. The tax you pay on conversion today is often far less than what you'd owe on a larger RMD at 80, compounded by forced withdrawals across an account that kept growing.
Frequently Asked Questions: RMDs in 2026
What is the RMD starting age in 2026?
Age 73. Under SECURE 2.0, the starting age increased from 72 to 73 for anyone born after December 31, 1950. It will increase again to 75 in 2033 for those born after December 31, 1959. Your first RMD must be taken by April 1 of the year after you turn 73 — but deferring until April 1 means taking two distributions in one year, which can cause a large tax bill.
Can I take more than my RMD?
Yes. You can always take more than the required minimum — the RMD is a floor, not a ceiling. Extra withdrawals count toward satisfying your RMD. However, excess withdrawals are taxable as ordinary income and cannot be returned to the account. Some retirees take larger distributions in lower-income years to reduce future RMDs and IRMAA risk.
What is a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)?
A QCD allows IRA owners age 70½+ to donate up to $105,000 (2026, indexed for inflation) directly from an IRA to a qualifying charity. The QCD satisfies your RMD and is excluded from taxable income — giving it a tax advantage over taking the RMD, paying tax, then donating. This is especially powerful for retirees who don't itemize deductions.
Do inherited IRAs have different RMD rules?
Yes. Under SECURE 2.0, most non-spouse beneficiaries must empty an inherited IRA within 10 years (the “10-year rule”). If the original owner had already started RMDs, beneficiaries must also take annual distributions in years 1–9 (at the minimum calculated rate) and fully distribute by year 10. Spouses have more flexibility and can roll the inherited IRA into their own. This calculator covers owner RMDs only — inherited IRA calculations follow different rules.
How do RMDs affect Medicare costs?
RMDs count as ordinary income and can trigger Medicare IRMAA surcharges. In 2026, single filers above $103,000 in MAGI pay higher Medicare Part B and D premiums. Large RMDs can add $800–$4,000+/yr in Medicare costs. Strategic Roth conversions before age 73 and QCDs can help keep MAGI below the IRMAA thresholds and reduce this hidden RMD cost.
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