RMD Calculator
Calculate your 2026 Required Minimum Distribution from traditional IRA, 401(k), 403(b), and inherited IRAs using the official IRS Uniform Lifetime Table. Avoid the 25% penalty.
Annual Take Home
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Monthly Income
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Effective Tax Rate
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State Tax
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Key Takeaways
What You Should Know
- Annual take-home updates live as you change inputs
- Monthly income reflects your pay frequency
- Tax rate includes federal, FICA, and state withholding
- All calculations run privately in your browser
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Charts & Projections
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Illustrative allocation across major asset classes.
Growth Scenarios
Projected balance under conservative, base, and optimistic returns.
Wealth Over Time
Illustrative compound growth of invested savings.
In This Guide
Overview
RMD Rules: Everything You Need to Know Before Age 73
Required Minimum Distributions force withdrawals from tax-deferred retirement accounts, ensuring the IRS eventually collects the deferred taxes. Understanding the rules helps you plan withdrawals strategically rather than reactively.
Accounts Subject to RMDs
| Account Type | RMD Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional IRA | Yes, age 73 | Can aggregate across all trad. IRAs |
| 401(k), 403(b) | Yes, age 73 | Each plan separate; can delay if still working |
| SEP-IRA, SIMPLE IRA | Yes, age 73 | Same as traditional IRA |
| Roth IRA (owner) | No | No RMD during owner’s lifetime |
| Roth 401(k) | No (as of 2024) | SECURE 2.0 eliminated RMDs for Roth 401(k) |
| Inherited IRA (non-spouse) | 10-Year Rule | Must empty by year 10 |
Qualified Charitable Distribution Strategy
If you’re charitably inclined, the QCD is the single most tax-efficient way to handle RMDs. You can transfer up to $105,000 per year directly from your IRA to a qualifying 501(c)(3) charity. The distribution counts toward your RMD, but it’s excluded from your adjusted gross income entirely — potentially keeping you out of IRMAA Medicare surcharge brackets, reducing taxes on Social Security benefits, and lowering state income taxes simultaneously.
Roth Conversion Before Age 73
The years between retirement and age 73 are a prime window for Roth conversions. Before Social Security and RMDs kick in, your income may be lower than it will be at 73+. Converting traditional IRA balances to Roth during this window reduces future RMD amounts, potentially saving taxes for decades. Work with a tax advisor to stay below IRMAA thresholds and optimize each year’s conversion amount.
Pair your RMD planning with our Social Security Calculator to see the full retirement income picture.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Methodology
Sources & Methodology
Rates and limits reflect 2026 IRS publications, SSA wage bases, and official federal guidance. Calculators use progressive federal brackets and standard deductions unless noted.