A required annual withdrawal
For covered accounts, you generally must withdraw at least the required amount by the applicable deadline. You can usually withdraw more than the minimum.
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Understand when the IRS generally requires you to withdraw money from retirement accounts, how to estimate an RMD, what happens if you miss a deadline, and how required withdrawals can affect your taxes.
The general starting age for RMDs under current federal rules for many traditional retirement accounts.
*The first RMD may generally be delayed until April 1 of the following year. That can mean two taxable-year distributions in that following year.
A required minimum distribution, commonly called an RMD, is the minimum amount you must withdraw from certain tax-advantaged retirement accounts each year once the applicable rules require distributions to begin.
For covered accounts, you generally must withdraw at least the required amount by the applicable deadline. You can usually withdraw more than the minimum.
The calculation generally uses the previous December 31 account balance and an IRS life-expectancy factor, subject to account-specific rules.
Traditional pre-tax withdrawals are generally taxable as ordinary income. Your actual tax treatment depends on the account and your circumstances.
An RMD is not the same as the amount you need to spend in retirement. It is a minimum distribution required by tax rules, even if you do not need the money for living expenses.
For many account owners, the applicable starting age depends on birth year. A workplace plan may also allow an eligible employee to delay RMDs until retirement.
Many people born in the applicable transition years must begin RMDs at age 73. Your required beginning date also depends on the type of account and, for certain workplace plans, whether you are still employed.
Under current law, the applicable age increases to 75 for individuals who reach age 74 after December 31, 2032. Check the rules that apply to your birth year and account.
| Situation | General rule | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional IRA, SEP IRA or SIMPLE IRA | Generally begins at the applicable RMD age, even if you are still working. | Your birth year, account balance and IRS life-expectancy table. |
| Current employer's 401(k) | An eligible employee may generally delay RMDs until retirement, if the plan permits and the employee is not a 5% owner. | Plan terms, employment status and ownership. |
| 401(k) from a former employer | RMDs generally follow the applicable age-based rules; the still-working exception typically relates to the current employer's plan. | Whether to keep the account, roll it over or take distributions. |
| Designated Roth 401(k) | No lifetime RMDs for the original account owner for 2024 and later years. | Beneficiary rules after the account owner's death. |
| Roth IRA owned by the original account holder | No lifetime RMDs for the original owner. | Separate distribution rules that apply to beneficiaries. |
Rules can vary by plan type, birth year, employment status and beneficiary situation. Use current IRS guidance and your plan administrator to confirm your required beginning date.
These are the practical rules that matter when planning withdrawals from your retirement accounts.
You can generally delay your first RMD until April 1 of the year after the year you reach the applicable age or, where allowed, retire. This is an option, not an extra distribution-free year.
After the first distribution year, RMDs are generally due by December 31 each year. If you delay your first RMD, you may need to take two distributions in the following calendar year.
Workplace plan RMDs generally must be calculated and withdrawn separately from each plan. Certain IRA RMDs can be aggregated across eligible IRAs, but not every account type can be combined.
Beneficiaries follow separate distribution rules. The applicable schedule can depend on the beneficiary's relationship to the account owner, the owner's date of death and other factors.
Taking extra money from one 401(k) does not generally satisfy another 401(k)'s RMD. Ask each plan administrator which account-specific distribution requirements apply.
For many account owners, the calculation starts with the retirement account's balance at the end of the previous year and divides it by the applicable IRS distribution period.
The correct divisor depends on the applicable IRS table and your circumstances.
Use the account balance on December 31 of the year before the distribution year, subject to applicable adjustments and special rules.
The Uniform Lifetime Table is commonly used. Different rules may apply if your spouse is your sole beneficiary and is more than 10 years younger, or if you are calculating a beneficiary's RMD.
The result is the basic minimum distribution estimate for that account. Your plan administrator or tax professional can confirm the required amount.
Check the required deadline, how the plan processes distributions, and whether tax withholding should be elected.
If an eligible account had a prior December 31 balance of $265,000 and the applicable IRS divisor were 26.5, the estimated RMD would be $10,000 ($265,000 ÷ 26.5). The divisor here is an illustration; verify the correct IRS factor for your situation.
Estimate a potential annual RMD by entering an account balance and the IRS divisor you have verified. This calculator does not select the official divisor for you.
Illustrative estimate only. Confirm your applicable IRS divisor and account-specific rules.
This estimator uses only the numbers entered. It does not determine your legal required beginning date, choose an IRS table, calculate beneficiary distributions, account for all special rules or provide tax advice.
The tax impact depends on the type of account and the tax character of the distribution. An RMD can increase your taxable income in the year you receive it.
Withdrawals are generally included in ordinary income, except for any portion representing after-tax basis or another tax-free amount.
The original account owner generally has no lifetime RMDs for 2024 and later years. Beneficiaries can still have required distributions after the owner's death.
RMDs may affect your federal tax bill and, depending on your circumstances, state taxes or other income-related thresholds. Review withholding with a tax professional.
Qualified Roth distributions and amounts representing after-tax basis may receive different treatment. Confirm the tax character of your particular distribution before filing.
Failing to withdraw the required amount by the deadline can trigger an excise tax on the shortfall. The tax rules provide for a reduced rate in certain circumstances, and a further reduction may be available when a timely correction qualifies.
The general excise tax is 25% of the amount not distributed as required. It may be reduced to 10% if the shortfall is corrected within the applicable correction window.
If you missed a deadline, contact the plan administrator or custodian, take appropriate corrective action, and ask a tax professional about Form 5329 and whether reasonable-error relief is available.
The facts, timing of correction and applicable IRS procedures matter. Review the current IRS instructions for Form 5329 before filing.
Explore related topics to understand withdrawal rules, beneficiary requirements and retirement planning.
Quick answers to common questions about RMD ages, deadlines, calculations and taxes.
For many account owners, the applicable starting age is 73 under current law. It becomes 75 for individuals who reach age 74 after December 31, 2032. The exact required beginning date can depend on birth year, account type, retirement status and plan terms.
Generally, yes. You may be able to delay your first RMD until April 1 of the year after the year you reach the applicable age or, for an eligible workplace plan, retire. You will generally need to take the next year's RMD by December 31 of that same year, potentially resulting in two distributions during one calendar year.
The original owner of a designated Roth 401(k) generally does not have lifetime RMDs for 2024 and later years. After the owner's death, beneficiary distribution rules apply. A Roth IRA also has no lifetime RMDs for its original owner.
For many accounts, divide the prior December 31 balance by the applicable IRS life-expectancy divisor. The correct table can vary based on your situation. Beneficiary accounts and certain spouse-beneficiary situations may use different factors or schedules.
Some IRA RMDs may be aggregated across eligible IRAs. Workplace plan RMDs generally must be satisfied separately for each plan. Special account types have different rules, so confirm whether aggregation is permitted before taking a distribution.
Traditional pre-tax retirement distributions are generally included in taxable income, except for eligible tax-free amounts such as after-tax basis. Qualified Roth distributions can receive different treatment. Your individual tax outcome depends on your accounts and circumstances.
The general excise tax is 25% of the shortfall. It may be reduced to 10% when the shortfall is corrected within the applicable correction window. Further relief may be available in qualifying cases; review current IRS instructions and consult a tax professional.
Once you have taken the required distribution, you can generally choose what to do with the money outside the retirement account, subject to tax and investment considerations. You cannot simply leave the required amount inside the account and count it as withdrawn.
Beneficiaries are subject to distribution rules, but the applicable schedule depends on the beneficiary category, account type, date of death and other circumstances. Inherited Roth accounts can also have beneficiary distribution requirements even though the original owner had no lifetime RMDs.
Use primary government sources to verify current rules, distribution factors and tax procedures.
Understand the rules, check your distribution deadline, and coordinate withdrawals with your broader retirement income and tax strategy.
This page is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not individualized financial, investment, legal or tax advice. Retirement distribution rules can change and may depend on your birth year, account type, employment status, plan terms and beneficiary circumstances. The interactive estimator is illustrative and does not determine your official RMD. Confirm your distribution amount and deadline with your plan administrator, account custodian, the current IRS guidance or a qualified tax professional. See our financial disclaimer and editorial policy.
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