RMD Calculator

Estimate your required minimum distribution using your prior year-end balance, age, and beneficiary details. View the divisor, deadline, table used, and step-by-step work.

How to Use

  1. Choose whether you are calculating for your own retirement account or an inherited account.
  2. Enter the prior December 31 account balance.
  3. Enter age and beneficiary details for the distribution year.
  4. Review the estimated RMD, divisor, deadline, and Show Work panel.
Retirement Distribution Planner

Required Minimum Distribution Estimate

Use this tool to estimate the minimum amount that may need to be withdrawn for the year. It is designed for fast planning, deadline checks, and quick divisor lookup workflow.

Estimated RMD
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Divisor
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Deadline
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Table Used
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Status: —
Core formula
RMD = Prior Year-End Balance ÷ Applicable Distribution Period

This page is for estimation and planning. Always confirm final filing and withdrawal details with your plan custodian or tax professional.

Inputs & Settings
Enter planning details below. Logic, validation, table selection, and share-state restoration are handled by the tool JS.
Choose the workflow that matches the account being calculated.
Used to determine age, table year context, and deadline messaging.
Use the account type that matches the withdrawal source.
Enter the account balance as of December 31 of the previous year.
For own-account mode, this helps determine age and RMD status for the year.
You can provide age directly for a faster estimate workflow.

Beneficiary Details

Used for table selection rules in owner mode.
Relevant when spouse is the sole beneficiary and is more than 10 years younger.

Inherited Account Details

Used for inherited-account rule timing and year tracking.
Choose the beneficiary classification used for the inherited account.
Useful for inherited-account deadline and rule messaging.
Used when inherited-account divisor logic depends on beneficiary age.
Show Work (step-by-step)
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Work should show the account balance used, divisor selected, table/rule summary, deadline note, and final estimated RMD.

RMD Details

This calculator is designed to help estimate annual required minimum distribution amounts for retirement accounts. It should clearly identify the balance used, the divisor applied, the estimated amount, and the applicable deadline.

  • Owner mode should support the standard lifetime-table workflow.
  • Spouse exception workflow should be supported when applicable.
  • Inherited mode should surface rule context, not just a number.
  • Results should stay deterministic and readable on both mobile and desktop.
Final tax reporting, plan-specific exceptions, aggregation rules, and inherited-account edge cases should always be verified separately before filing or withdrawing.

FAQ

What does RMD mean?

RMD stands for required minimum distribution. It is the minimum amount that may need to be withdrawn from certain retirement accounts for a given year.

What balance is used?

The tool should use the account balance from December 31 of the prior year for the estimate.

What if my spouse is much younger than me?

In some cases, a different life expectancy table may apply when your spouse is the sole beneficiary and is more than 10 years younger.

Can inherited accounts work differently?

Yes. Inherited retirement accounts can follow different timing and payout frameworks depending on beneficiary type and other facts.

Is this tax advice?

No. This tool is for planning and estimation. Confirm final requirements with the account custodian or a qualified tax professional.

Tool Info

Last updated:

Updates may include RMD workflow improvements, inherited-account guidance refinements, and edge-case handling.