Required Minimum Distribution (RMD)

Calculation notes

This calculator has been updated for 2024 to include 'SECURE 2.0' and IRS Notices from 2023 and 2024. SECURE 2.0 increases the age of Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) for account owners. Secure 2.0 did not change how the RMD is calculated; it only changed the age that they start. These rules took effect January 1^st, 2023.

The CARES Act of 2020 provided a temporary waiver of RMDs. The RMD waiver is for retirement plans and accounts for 2020. This includes direct contribution plans such as 401k, 403b, 457b plans and IRAs. RMDs were also waived for IRA owners who turned 70 1/2 in 2019 and were required to take an RMD by April 1, 2020.

If you have RMD questions, please consult with your own tax advisor regarding your specific situation. If you are under 75 and this RMD is from a 403(b) plan, you may not be required to take distributions on the balance in your account before 1987 until you reach age 75. You may need to contact a financial planner or CPA to determine if this exception applies to your RMD.

IMPORTANT! This calculator has been updated for the Secure 2.0 (2022), SECURE Act of 2019 and the CARES Act of 2020 and IRS Notices regarding these acts from 2023 and 2024. Future IRS published procedures may have an impact on enforcement and interpretation of these Acts.

Year of RMD

The year for the RMD calculation. This is usually the current year, but past and future year RMDs can be calculated by changing this value.

Owner's birthdate

The account owner's birthdate. The tool uses this to calculate the account owner's age as of December 31^st of the distribution year.

Amount subject to RMD

This is the fair market value of the account as of the close of business on December 31^st of the prior year. For example, to determine the RMD for 2024, use the account balance as of 12/31/2023. For traditional IRAs, no adjustments are made for contributions or distributions after that date. If you made a transfer or rollover from one account on or before December 31^st of the prior year and the funds were received by a new account in the next year, you will need to increase your December 31^st fair market value by the amount that was transferred or rolled over and not included in the December 31^st value of either account.

Hypothetical rate of return

This is the expected rate of return on the account balance. This is only used to help project future account balances (which of course will impact required minimum distributions). The actual rate of return is largely dependent on the types of investments you select. The Standard & Poor's 500® (S&P 500®) for the 10 years ending December 31^st 2021, had an annual compounded rate of return of 13.6%, including reinvestment of dividends. From January 1, 1970 to December 31^st 2021, the average annual compounded rate of return for the S&P 500®, including reinvestment of dividends, was approximately 11.3% (source: www.standardandpoors.com). Since 1970, the highest 12-month return was 61% (June 1982 through June 1983). The lowest 12-month return was -43% (March 2008 to March 2009).

It is important to remember that these scenarios are hypothetical and that future rates of return can't be predicted with certainty and that investments that pay higher rates of return are generally subject to higher risk and volatility. The actual rate of return on investments can vary widely over time, especially for long-term investments. This includes the potential loss of principal on your investment. It is not possible to invest directly in an index and the compounded rate of return noted above does not reflect sales charges and other fees that investment funds and/or investment companies may charge.

Is sole beneficiary a spouse?

Check this box if the sole beneficiary is a spouse. The IRS uniform life expectancy table is used to calculate the life expectancy for account owner RMDs. The only exception to this rule is if the sole beneficiary is a spouse and is more than 10 years younger than the account owner. In this situation, the IRS joint life expectancy table is used. The IRS joint life expectancy table normally produces lower required distributions.

Beneficiary's birthdate

If the sole beneficiary of the account is a spouse, enter the beneficiary's birthdate. If the spouse is more than 10 years younger than the account owner, the IRS joint life expectancy table is used which normally produces lower required distributions.