Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) Calculator

2026

Calculate your Required Minimum Distribution for Traditional IRAs and 401(k)s using the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table.

By Konstantin Iakovlev · Updated September 2026 · Source: IRS — Retirement plan and IRA RMD FAQs

$

Required Minimum Distribution

$18,867.92

Distribution Period

26.5

Percentage of Account

3.77%

Monthly Equivalent

$1,572.33

Deadline Reminder

Your RMD must be taken by: April 1 of the year after you turn 73

Since this is your first RMD year, you may delay until April 1 of next year. However, you will then need to take two RMDs in that year (the delayed first-year RMD plus the current-year RMD).

Failure to take your full RMD results in a 25% penalty tax on the amount not distributed (reduced from 50% under SECURE 2.0).

10-Year RMD Projection (assuming 5% annual growth)

Age 73 (factor: 26.5)$18,867.92 from $500,000.00
Age 74 (factor: 25.5)$19,811.32 from $505,188.68
Age 75 (factor: 24.6)$20,717.33 from $509,646.23
Age 76 (factor: 23.7)$21,661.41 from $513,375.35
Age 77 (factor: 22.9)$22,545.84 from $516,299.64
Age 78 (factor: 22.0)$23,565.52 from $518,441.49
Age 79 (factor: 21.1)$24,626.53 from $519,619.77
Age 80 (factor: 20.2)$25,729.85 from $519,742.90
Age 81 (factor: 19.4)$26,737.82 from $518,713.70
Age 82 (factor: 18.5)$27,922.96 from $516,574.68

Use the Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) Calculator above to calculate your results. Enter your values and see instant results — all calculations run in your browser.

Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and current rates. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.

How It Works

Once you reach age 73, the IRS requires you to pull a minimum amount out of Traditional IRAs and 401(k)s every year. Age 73 is the starting point for people born from 1951 through 1959; for anyone born in 1960 or later it moves to 75. Falling short triggers a stiff penalty of 25%, which can drop to 10% in some cases, so getting the number right is not optional. This tool draws on the current IRS Uniform Lifetime Table to produce accurate 2026 figures.

The method follows the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table directly. Take your account balance as of December 31st of the prior year and divide it by the distribution period, also called the life expectancy factor, that the table assigns to your current age. Someone who is 73 in 2026, for instance, uses a distribution period of 26.5.

The balance that drives the math is last year's December 31st figure, not whatever the account holds today, and confusing the two is a common slip. Another is failing to combine every Traditional IRA balance before running the calculation. You're allowed to satisfy the entire amount from a single IRA, but the figure itself has to reflect the total across all your Traditional IRA assets.

Example: Calculating RMD for a 73-year-old in 2026

  1. 1 Input: John turns 73 in 2026 (he was born in 1953). His total Traditional IRA balance on December 31, 2025, was $500,000.
  2. 2 Calculation: According to the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table, the distribution period for a 73-year-old is 26.5. John's RMD is calculated as $500,000 / 26.5.
  3. 3 Result: John's Required Minimum Distribution for 2026 is $18,867.92.
  4. 4 Context: 2026 is John's first RMD year, so he has until April 1, 2027 to take the $18,867.92, the deadline the calculator shows at age 73. If he waits until 2027, his 2027 RMD, based on the December 31, 2026 balance, is also due by December 31, 2027, so both distributions land in one tax year. He can take the amount from one or several of his Traditional IRAs.

Source: IRS — Retirement plan and IRA RMD FAQs · Last updated: September 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

At what age do Required Minimum Distributions start?
Under the SECURE 2.0 Act, RMDs begin at age 73 for those born between 1951-1959, and age 75 for those born in 1960 or later. Roth IRAs have no RMDs during the owner's lifetime.
How are RMDs calculated?
Divide your retirement account balance as of December 31 of the prior year by the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table factor for your age. For example, at age 73, the factor is 26.5, so a $500,000 balance requires an RMD of about $18,868.
What happens if I miss my RMD?
The penalty for failing to take an RMD was reduced from 50% to 25% of the missed amount under SECURE 2.0. If corrected within 2 years, the penalty drops further to 10%.

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