Calculate your IRS-required minimum distribution for 2026 using the Uniform Lifetime Table. Enter your account balance and age to find your mandatory withdrawal amount.
Enter the total value of your IRA, 401(k), or other qualified retirement account.
RMDs generally begin at age 73 (per SECURE 2.0 Act). Enter your age at year-end 2026.
Required Minimum Distribution Calculator 2026
What This Calculator Does and Why It Matters
Once you reach a certain age, the IRS requires you to withdraw a minimum amount from your retirement accounts each year. These withdrawals are called Required Minimum Distributions, or RMDs. If you skip them or take out too little, you can face a significant tax penalty.
This free Required Minimum Distribution Calculator for 2026 helps you find your exact withdrawal amount using your account balance and age. It uses the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table, which is the standard table for most retirement account holders. You get a clear number in seconds, without any guesswork.
RMD rules changed under the SECURE 2.0 Act, which pushed the starting age to 73. If you turned 73 in 2026, this is the year your first RMD is due. Planning ahead can help you manage your tax bill and avoid penalties.
How to Use This Calculator
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Enter your total retirement account balance as of December 31, 2025. This is the prior year-end balance the IRS uses to calculate your 2026 RMD.
- Enter your age as of December 31, 2026. Use your age at the end of the tax year, not your current age.
- Select whether your sole beneficiary is a spouse more than 10 years younger than you. If yes, the calculator will use the Joint Life Expectancy Table, which gives a longer distribution period and a lower RMD.
- Click Calculate RMD to see your estimated distribution amount, distribution period, and effective withdrawal rate.
- Use the Reset button to clear all fields and start a new calculation.
The Formula Explained
The IRS uses a straightforward division formula to determine your RMD. Understanding it helps you plan withdrawals more effectively and verify any numbers you receive from your financial institution.
Breaking Down the Formula
The RMD formula is: RMD = Account Balance ÷ Distribution Period. The account balance is your prior year-end value. The distribution period comes from the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table, which assigns a life expectancy factor to each age starting at 73.
As you get older, the distribution period gets shorter, which means your required withdrawal percentage increases each year. At age 73, the factor is 26.5 years. At age 85, it drops to 16.0 years. This is how the IRS ensures all tax-deferred money is eventually distributed and taxed.
Example Calculation with Real Numbers
Suppose you are 75 years old in 2026 and your IRA balance on December 31, 2025 was $400,000. The IRS distribution period for age 75 is 24.6 years. Dividing $400,000 by 24.6 gives you an RMD of approximately $16,260. That amount must be withdrawn by December 31, 2026, and will be counted as ordinary taxable income.
When Would You Use This
RMD calculations are relevant every year once you hit the required starting age. But there are specific moments when getting this number right is especially important.
Real Life Use Cases
Many retirees use this calculator at the start of each year to plan their cash flow. If you know your RMD early, you can decide whether to take it monthly, quarterly, or in a single lump sum. This affects how you budget living expenses throughout the year.
Tax planning is another major reason. Your RMD is added to your ordinary income, which can push you into a higher bracket, affect your Medicare premiums, or trigger taxes on your Social Security benefits. Knowing the number in advance gives you time to offset it with deductions or charitable giving strategies like a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD).
Specific Example Scenario
A 78-year-old retiree has a traditional IRA worth $320,000 and a rollover 401(k) worth $180,000. Her total balance is $500,000. At age 78, the distribution period is 22.0. Her combined RMD for 2026 is $500,000 ÷ 22.0 = $22,727. She can take this from either account or split it between them, as long as the total amount is met.
If you also want to track related costs like estimated quarterly taxes on your RMD income, check out the Estimated Quarterly Tax Payment Calculator on ToolCR.
Tips for Getting Accurate Results
Use the Correct Prior Year-End Balance
Your 2026 RMD is based on the balance in your account as of December 31, 2025 — not the current value. Log into your account or check your year-end statement to get this exact figure. Using a rounded or estimated balance will give you an inaccurate RMD.
Add Up All Qualifying Accounts
If you have multiple traditional IRAs, you can calculate the RMD for each one and then take the combined total from any one or combination of those IRAs. However, 401(k) and 403(b) accounts must have their RMDs taken separately from each plan. Do not mix the two types when calculating.
Confirm Your Age Table
Most people use the Uniform Lifetime Table. However, if your only beneficiary is a spouse who is more than 10 years younger, you qualify to use the IRS Joint Life and Last Survivor Table, which results in a lower RMD. Make sure you select the correct option in the calculator above to avoid over-withdrawing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting age for RMDs in 2026?
Under the SECURE 2.0 Act, the required beginning date for RMDs is age 73. If you turn 73 in 2026, your first RMD is due by April 1, 2027. However, taking it in 2026 avoids having two RMDs in the same year, which could increase your tax bill significantly.
What happens if I miss my RMD deadline?
The IRS imposes a 25% excise tax on the amount you failed to withdraw. If you correct the shortfall within two years, the penalty drops to 10%. This is one of the most expensive mistakes a retiree can make, so setting calendar reminders each year is strongly recommended.
Can I withdraw more than the required minimum?
Yes, you can always withdraw more than the RMD amount. The RMD is simply the minimum. Additional withdrawals are also treated as ordinary taxable income. Withdrawing more can make sense if you want to reduce your future RMDs or if you are in a lower tax bracket in a particular year.
Do Roth IRAs have required minimum distributions?
Original Roth IRA accounts do not have RMDs during the owner’s lifetime. However, Roth 401(k) accounts used to require RMDs, and the SECURE 2.0 Act eliminated that rule starting in 2024. Inherited Roth IRAs do have distribution rules depending on the relationship between the beneficiary and the original owner.
Does the RMD calculator work for 401(k) accounts too?
Yes. The same IRS formula applies to traditional 401(k), 403(b), 457(b), and SIMPLE IRA accounts. Enter your total balance across each account type separately if you need to calculate RMDs for multiple plans. Remember that 401(k) RMDs must come from each individual plan and cannot be aggregated like IRAs.
What is a Qualified Charitable Distribution and how does it affect my RMD?
A QCD allows IRA owners aged 70½ or older to donate up to $105,000 per year directly from their IRA to a qualified charity. The donated amount counts toward your RMD but is excluded from your taxable income. This is one of the most tax-efficient strategies for charitably inclined retirees. You can also explore the Roth IRA Conversion Tax Calculator to see if converting part of your balance could reduce future RMDs.
Can I delay my very first RMD?
Yes. For your very first RMD only, you have until April 1 of the year following the year you turn 73. So if you turned 73 in 2026, you could delay your first RMD to April 1, 2027. After that, all future RMDs are due by December 31 of each year.
How does having an inherited IRA change the RMD rules?
Inherited IRAs follow different rules depending on when the original owner died and your relationship to them. Most non-spouse beneficiaries who inherited after 2019 must deplete the account within 10 years. Spouses have additional options, including treating the inherited IRA as their own. The Inherited IRA Distribution Calculator can help you understand those obligations separately.
Conclusion
Knowing your Required Minimum Distribution for 2026 is an essential part of managing your retirement finances. Whether you are taking your first RMD or have been doing this for years, this calculator gives you a fast and accurate number to work with.
Use the result to coordinate with your tax advisor, set up your withdrawal schedule, or explore strategies like QCDs and Roth conversions that can reduce the tax impact of your distributions.