What is a required minimum distribution?
Traditional IRAs, 401(k)s, 403(b)s, and similar accounts let your savings grow without tax for decades. Eventually the IRS wants its share, so once you reach a certain age you must withdraw at least a minimum amount each year. That amount is your required minimum distribution, or RMD. Withdrawals are usually taxed as ordinary income.
When RMDs start
| Year you were born | RMDs start at age |
|---|---|
| 1950 or earlier | Already started (at 70½ or 72 under earlier rules) |
| 1951 to 1959 | 73 |
| 1960 or later | 75 |
Your first RMD is for the year you reach that age, but you have until April 1 of the following year to take it. Every RMD after that is due by December 31. If you wait until April for the first one, you'll take two withdrawals that year, which can raise your taxes.
How the amount is figured
The math is simple: take your account balance on December 31 of last year and divide it by the "distribution period" for your age this year from the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table. At 75, for example, the divisor is 24.6, so a $400,000 balance means an RMD of about $16,260. The divisor shrinks as you age, so the percentage you must take out rises each year.
If you have several accounts
- IRAs: figure the RMD for each traditional IRA separately, then add them up. You can take the total from any one IRA or a mix.
- 403(b)s: the same combining rule works among your 403(b) accounts.
- 401(k)s: each 401(k) must pay out its own RMD. You can't combine them.
- Roth IRAs have no RMDs while the owner is alive, and since 2024 neither do Roth 401(k)s.
What if I miss an RMD?
The IRS charges an excise tax of 25% of the amount you didn't withdraw. If you fix the mistake quickly, generally within two years, it drops to 10%. The IRS may waive it entirely for a reasonable error you correct. Ask your tax professional about filing Form 5329 with an explanation.
Smart ways to handle RMDs
- Give to charity tax-free. From age 70½, you can send money directly from an IRA to a charity as a Qualified Charitable Distribution. It counts toward your RMD but isn't taxed as income.
- Have taxes withheld. You can ask your account provider to withhold federal (and state) tax from the withdrawal, which can replace quarterly estimated payments.
- Set up automatic withdrawals. Most providers will calculate and pay your RMD automatically, monthly or once a year, so you never miss it.
- Still working? If you're still working and don't own 5% or more of the company, you can usually delay RMDs from your current employer's 401(k) until you retire. IRAs don't get this exception.
Common questions
Do I have to spend my RMD?
No. You must withdraw it, but you can reinvest it in a regular taxable account. You just can't put it back into an IRA or other retirement account.
Can I take more than the minimum?
Yes, any time. But withdrawing extra one year doesn't reduce future RMDs.
What about inherited IRAs?
Inherited accounts follow different rules, often a 10-year payout for non-spouse beneficiaries. This calculator is for your own accounts. Check inherited-account rules with your provider or a tax professional.
Is this official?
No. It uses the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table and current rules for planning, and isn't affiliated with the IRS. Your account provider's statement or a tax professional can confirm your exact amount.
Sources
We check this tool against these official sources. Last checked October 2026. Spotted a problem? Let us know.