Required minimum distributions apply to traditional IRAs, SEP and SIMPLE IRAs, and employer plans such as 401(k), 403(b) and 457(b) plans. The IRS says withdrawals generally must start when the owner reaches age 73. Proposed IRS regulations under SECURE 2.0 set the starting age at 75 for people born on or after January 1, 1960. Roth IRAs and designated Roth accounts in 401(k) or 403(b) plans do not require withdrawals while the owner is alive, although beneficiaries of those accounts are subject to RMD rules.
The first RMD from an IRA is due by April 1 of the year after the owner reaches RMD age; every later RMD is due by December 31. Employer plans may let a still-working employee delay until April 1 after retirement, if the plan allows it.
Formula
RMD = prior December 31 account balance ÷ distribution period
- Prior December 31 balance: the account value at the end of the previous calendar year.
- Distribution period: the factor for the owner's age that year from the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table (a different table applies when the sole beneficiary is a spouse more than 10 years younger).
Uniform Lifetime Table factors include 26.5 at age 73, 25.5 at 74, 24.6 at 75 and 20.2 at 80.
Example
An IRA owner who turns 73 this year had $400,000 in the account on December 31 of last year:
- RMD = $400,000 ÷ 26.5 ≈ $15,094.34
At age 75, a $250,000 balance requires $250,000 ÷ 24.6 ≈ $10,162.60.
The RMD calculator applies the current table automatically, and the RMD table 2026 guide lists every factor with deadlines.
Common mistakes
- Missing the withdrawal. The IRS imposes a 25% excise tax on the amount not distributed as required, reduced to 10% if the shortfall is corrected within two years.
- Delaying the first RMD without planning. Waiting until April 1 means two RMDs fall in the same tax year, which raises taxable income and can push modified adjusted gross income past thresholds that depend on it.
- Using the current balance. The calculation uses the prior year-end balance, not today's value.