Introduction
When you turn 73, the IRS makes you start taking money out of your traditional 401(k). This yearly withdrawal is called a required minimum distribution, or RMD. This 401(k) RMD calculator shows how much you must take out this year.
The math is simple. You take your 401(k) balance from December 31 of last year and divide it by a number from an IRS life expectancy table. That number is based on your age. The older you are, the smaller the number, so the bigger your RMD. If you are still building that balance, our 401k Calculator projects how it grows before withdrawals begin.
Just enter your balance, your age at the end of this year, and your tax rate. The calculator gives you your RMD amount, what it would look like paid monthly or every quarter, and how much tax you may owe. It also shows a 5-year outlook so you can plan ahead. For a broader look at drawing down several accounts at once, try the Retirement Withdrawal Calculator.
If your only beneficiary is a spouse who is more than 10 years younger than you, flip the toggle to "Yes." The calculator then switches to the IRS Joint Life table, which lowers your RMD.
Taking your full RMD on time matters. If you miss it, the IRS can charge a 25% penalty on the amount you skipped. That drops to 10% if you fix the mistake within two years. Roth 401(k) and Roth IRA money is not counted here, since those accounts have no RMDs while you are alive — see the Roth 401k Calculator and Roth IRA Calculator if you want to model those balances separately.
How to use our 401k RMD Calculator
Enter your 401(k) balance, your age, and a few simple details. The calculator shows your required minimum distribution (RMD) for this year, the IRS distribution period used, monthly and quarterly payment amounts, your estimated tax, and a 5-year RMD projection.
Prior Year-End Account Balance: Type the total value of your traditional 401(k) on December 31 of last year. Leave out Roth 401(k) and Roth IRA money, since Roth accounts have no RMDs while you are alive.
Your Age at Year-End: Pick how old you will be on December 31 of this year. RMDs usually start at age 73 under the SECURE 2.0 Act. Not sure of your age at year-end? Check with the Age Calculator.
Spouse More Than 10 Years Younger: Choose "Yes" if your only primary beneficiary is a spouse who is more than 10 years younger than you. If not, choose "No." "Yes" switches the math to the IRS Joint Life and Last Survivor Expectancy Table.
Spouse's Age at Year-End: This box shows up only if you picked "Yes." Select your spouse's age on December 31 of this year.
5-Year Projection Basis: Pick "Hold balance constant" to keep the same balance each year, or pick "Subtract each RMD, then apply growth rate" to see how withdrawals and growth change your future balance.
Assumed Annual Growth Rate: Enter the yearly return you expect on your account, such as 5%. This is only used for the second projection option. The Compound Interest Calculator can help you sanity-check a long-run growth assumption.
Estimated Combined Income Tax Rate: Enter your expected federal plus state tax rate. RMDs count as ordinary income, so this shows how much you keep after tax. Use the Tax Bracket Calculator or Effective Tax Rate Calculator to pin down a realistic figure.
Click Calculate RMD to see your results, or Reset to start over.
What Is a 401(k) RMD?
An RMD, or required minimum distribution, is the smallest amount you must take out of your traditional 401(k) each year once you reach a certain age. The money in a traditional 401(k) was never taxed, so the IRS makes you start pulling it out and paying income tax on it. You can always take more than the RMD, but never less. If you plan to take more than the minimum, the 401k Withdrawal Calculator shows the tax hit on larger distributions.
When RMDs Start
Under the SECURE 2.0 Act, RMDs begin at age 73. If you were born in 1960 or later, they start at age 75. Your first RMD can wait until April 1 of the year after you turn the starting age. Every RMD after that is due by December 31. Waiting on that first one means you take two RMDs in the same year, which can push you into a higher tax bracket — run both years through the Income Tax Calculator before you decide to delay.
How the RMD Is Figured
The math is simple division:
- Account balance on December 31 of last year
- Divided by a life expectancy factor from an IRS table
Most people use the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table. At age 75 the factor is 24.6, so a $350,000 balance means an RMD of about $14,228. As you get older, the factor gets smaller, so the RMD takes a bigger slice of your account.
There is one big exception. If your only primary beneficiary is a spouse who is more than 10 years younger than you, you use the Joint Life and Last Survivor Expectancy Table instead. That table gives a longer period, which lowers your RMD.
The Penalty for Missing It
If you skip your RMD or take too little, the IRS charges an excise tax of 25% of the amount you should have taken. Fix the mistake within two years and file Form 5329, and the penalty drops to 10%.
Key Rules to Know
- Roth accounts are exempt. Roth IRAs never have lifetime RMDs, and Roth 401(k)s no longer have them either. Do not count those balances here.
- Each 401(k) is separate. If you have more than one 401(k), you must take an RMD from each plan. IRA owners can add their IRAs together and take the total from just one — the IRA RMD Calculator handles that case, and beneficiaries should use the Inherited IRA RMD Calculator.
- Still working? If you are still employed at age 73 and own less than 5% of the company, your current employer's plan may let you delay RMDs until you retire. This does not apply to old 401(k)s from past jobs. Teachers and nonprofit workers can check the 403b Calculator, and federal employees the TSP Calculator.
- RMDs are taxed as ordinary income. They can also raise your Medicare premiums and make more of your Social Security taxable — see the Taxable Social Security Benefits Calculator and the Social Security Calculator.
- No rollovers. RMD money cannot be rolled into an IRA or converted to a Roth.
- Schedule is up to you. Monthly, quarterly, or one lump sum all work, as long as the full yearly amount comes out on time.
Ways to Lower Future RMDs
Some people convert part of a traditional 401(k) or IRA to a Roth before RMD age, which shrinks the taxable balance later — the Roth Conversion Calculator weighs the upfront tax against the long-term savings. Others age 70½ and older use a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) from an IRA to give up to $108,000 in 2025 straight to charity, which counts toward the RMD but is not taxed as income. Talk with a tax advisor before making either move. To see how RMDs fit into your whole plan, pair this tool with the Retirement Calculator and the How Long Will My Money Last Calculator.