RMD Projection Calculator

RMDs are calculated by dividing your retirement account balance as of December 31 of the prior year by an IRS life expectancy factor from the Uniform Lifetime Table. The RMD Projection Calculator illustrates how these distributions may change over time as the divisor decreases with age.

Under SECURE Act 2.0, the required beginning age for RMDs moved to 73 for individuals born between 1951 and 1959, and to 75 for those born in 1960 or later. This delay gives retirees additional years to consider Roth conversions or other tax planning strategies before mandatory withdrawals begin.

RMDs count as ordinary income, which can push retirees into higher tax brackets, increase Social Security taxation, and trigger Medicare IRMAA surcharges. Many people find that projecting RMDs year by year reveals how these interactions compound, especially when large tax-deferred balances grow unchecked before distributions begin.

Most non-spouse beneficiaries who inherited an IRA after 2019 must fully distribute the account within 10 years of the original owner's death. The RMD Projection Calculator models these inherited IRA distribution schedules, helping illustrate the potential tax impact on beneficiaries across different withdrawal strategies.

Converting traditional IRA funds to a Roth before RMDs begin can reduce future required distributions, since Roth IRAs are not subject to RMDs during the owner's lifetime. One common consideration is the window between retirement and age 73, when taxable income may be lower and conversions can be spread across multiple years.