Estimate your required minimum distribution from a retirement account using the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table.
Use the balance at the end of last year, not today's balance. Verify the table for the current year — see limitations.
required minimum distribution
How to use this tool
Use the account balance on 31 December of last year — the IRS bases the RMD on that figure, not today's balance.
Your age on your birthday in the distribution year.
Balance ÷ the Uniform Lifetime Table divisor for your age.
The monthly equivalent helps if you take the RMD in instalments rather than one lump sum.
Formula & worked example
A $500,000 balance at age 75: $500,000 ÷ 24.6 = $20,325.20 for the year (about $1,693.77 per month). At age 72 the divisor is 27.4, giving $18,248.18 on the same balance.
Limitations — read this before you rely on it
This uses the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table (2022 revision) and assumes the account owner is not using the spousal exception (a spouse more than 10 years younger uses the Joint Life Table instead). Required beginning ages have changed under SECURE and SECURE 2.0 (73, moving to 75) and the table itself can be revised — always verify the current-year IRS table, your birth-year rules, inherited-account rules and tax treatment before withdrawing. This is an estimate, not tax advice.
Frequently asked questions
A required minimum distribution: the minimum you must withdraw each year from most tax-deferred retirement accounts once you reach the required beginning age.
The balance on 31 December of the previous year, divided by the divisor for your age this year.
If your sole beneficiary spouse is more than 10 years younger, the IRS Joint Life and Last Survivor Table applies instead, giving a smaller RMD — this calculator does not cover that case.
There can be a substantial excise tax on the shortfall, so take at least the required amount by the deadline.
Original owners of Roth IRAs generally do not, but beneficiaries of inherited accounts may — check the current rules for your account type.