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One hundred thousand dollars at age 75
The prior year-end balance is 100,000. You turn 75 in the distribution year. The other traditional IRA is 0, and you have withdrawn 0 so far this year. Publication 590-B uses Table III for this case because the spouse in the example is 6 years younger, not more than 10.
Prior year-end IRA balance: 25% lower
Change prior year-end ira balance to 75,000 while keeping the other example values the same.
Prior year-end IRA balance: 25% higher
Change prior year-end ira balance to 125,000 while keeping the other example values the same.
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Quick answer
What does the Required minimum distribution calculate?
What required minimum distribution does Table III give for these IRA balances? This calculator uses prior year-end ira balance, age on your birthday this year, another traditional ira, and already withdrawn this year to estimate traditional ira minimum for this year immediately in your browser.
With the values currently entered, the result is $4,065.00 — required this year on Table III. It also shows applicable denominator, this ira, other traditional ira, and still to withdraw.
How to use the Required minimum distribution
- Replace the example values with your own numbers.
- Review the result and supporting figures as they update automatically.
- Check the formula and assumptions before using the estimate for a decision.
Inputs used
- Prior year-end IRA balance
- Age on your birthday this year — entered in years
- Another traditional IRA
- Already withdrawn this year
Required minimum distribution formula
RMD for an account = prior year-end balance ÷ Table III denominator for your age this year, rounded to the nearest dollar. The total is the sum of the accounts. Still to withdraw = total − what you already took, and it cannot go below zero.
Assumptions
- IRS Publication 590-B says you figure the required minimum distribution for each year by dividing the IRA account balance as of December 31 of the preceding year by the applicable denominator. When your spouse is not the sole beneficiary, or is not more than 10 years younger, that denominator comes from Table III (Uniform Lifetime), next to your age as of your birthday in the distribution year. The publication’s example is a $100,000 balance at age 75, denominator 24.6, and a distribution of $4,065. This page rounds each account to the nearest dollar, which matches that $4,065 and the publication’s Table II example of $3,953 ($100,000 ÷ 25.3). The same publication prints $1,450 for $38,400 ÷ 26.5. That quotient is $1,449.06, so the nearest dollar is $1,449.
- You figure a separate amount for each traditional IRA, then you may add them and withdraw the total from any one or more of those IRAs. A Roth IRA you own has no lifetime required distribution, so leave it out. If your spouse is the sole beneficiary and more than 10 years younger, Publication 590-B says to use Table II. This page does not. It also does not decide the required beginning date. The publication sets that from whether you reached 70½, 72, or 73, and Table III itself starts at 72. An amount you withdraw above this year’s minimum does not reduce a later year.
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Authoritative sources
These sources explain the definitions, factors, or rules behind this tool. Their geographic scope is shown because an official source for one country is not automatically valid somewhere else.
Sources do not endorse Calculum. Check the source date, scope, and your own documents before making a financial, tax, insurance, or reporting decision.
Practical guide
Required minimum distribution example and edge cases
IRS Publication 590-B figures a traditional IRA required minimum distribution by dividing the December 31 balance by a denominator from the life expectancy tables. For most owners that table is Table III, the Uniform Lifetime table. The publication’s own example is $100,000 at age 75.
Example: One hundred thousand dollars at age 75
The prior year-end balance is 100,000. You turn 75 in the distribution year. The other traditional IRA is 0, and you have withdrawn 0 so far this year. Publication 590-B uses Table III for this case because the spouse in the example is 6 years younger, not more than 10.
- Prior year-end IRA balance
- 100,000
- Age on your birthday this year
- 75 years
- Another traditional IRA
- 0
- Already withdrawn this year
- 0
Calculated result$4,065.00required this year on Table III
The distribution is 4,065. That is 100,000 divided by 24.6, rounded to the nearest dollar. The publication prints the same 4,065. A spouse more than 10 years younger uses Table II, and this page does not.
Example results use the default display profile. The calculator above follows your selected country and units.
How to read the result
- Read the 4,065 first. It is one account. The denominator 24.6 is the Table III factor for age 75, and still to withdraw stays 4,065 until you type an amount already taken.
- Publication 590-B says to use your age as of your birthday in the distribution year. A second traditional IRA is divided on its own and added. You may take the total from either IRA. A Roth IRA you own has no lifetime required distribution, so it stays out of both balance boxes.
Edge cases worth checking
Two traditional IRAs of 50,000 at age 75
Each 50,000 divided by 24.6 is 2,032.52, which rounds to 2,033. The two accounts add to 4,066. One combined 100,000 rounds to 4,065. The publication says to figure each IRA separately, then add, so the 4,066 is the total for these two accounts.
The publication prints 1,450 for 38,400 at age 73
38,400 divided by 26.5 is 1,449.06. The nearest dollar is 1,449, and that is what this page shows. The publication prints 1,450 for that line. The same paragraph then divides 34,800 by 26.5 and prints 1,313, which matches the nearest dollar. An amount above this year’s minimum does not reduce the next year.
What changes the result most
Prior year-end IRA balance
Use a current amount for prior year-end ira balance. Include fees or recurring costs that belong in the same figure.
Age on your birthday this year
Keep age on your birthday this year on the same time basis as the other inputs. Monthly and annual values are easy to mix up.
Another traditional IRA
Use a current amount for another traditional ira. Include fees or recurring costs that belong in the same figure.
Try a different scenario
Small changes show whether the answer is stable or sensitive.
Prior year-end IRA balance: 25% lower
75,000$3,049.00required this year on Table III
Prior year-end IRA balance: 25% higher
125,000$5,081.00required this year on Table III
Age on your birthday this year: 25% higher
94 years$10,526.00required this year on Table III
Common mistakes
Check prior year-end ira balance
IRS Publication 590-B says you figure the required minimum distribution for each year by dividing the IRA account balance as of December 31 of the preceding year by the applicable denominator. When your spouse is not the sole beneficiary, or is not more than 10 years younger, that denominator comes from Table III (Uniform Lifetime), next to your age as of your birthday in the distribution year. The publication’s example is a $100,000 balance at age 75, denominator 24.6, and a distribution of $4,065. This page rounds each account to the nearest dollar, which matches that $4,065 and the publication’s Table II example of $3,953 ($100,000 ÷ 25.3). The same publication prints $1,450 for $38,400 ÷ 26.5. That quotient is $1,449.06, so the nearest dollar is $1,449. Make sure this matches the number you enter.
Keep already withdrawn this year consistent
You figure a separate amount for each traditional IRA, then you may add them and withdraw the total from any one or more of those IRAs. A Roth IRA you own has no lifetime required distribution, so leave it out. If your spouse is the sole beneficiary and more than 10 years younger, Publication 590-B says to use Table II. This page does not. It also does not decide the required beginning date. The publication sets that from whether you reached 70½, 72, or 73, and Table III itself starts at 72. An amount you withdraw above this year’s minimum does not reduce a later year. Use the same units and time period throughout the calculation.
Do not rely on one required minimum distribution scenario
Run a cautious case and an optimistic case. The range is often more useful than one exact-looking number.
Use this result well
What required minimum distribution does Table III give for these IRA balances?
It is a planning estimate, not a forecast or personal financial advice.