Mandatory IRA distribution help starts with knowing your exact required amount. The IRS calls this a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) — the minimum you must withdraw each year from your tax-deferred retirement accounts once you turn 73. Getting it right matters: missing it costs you 25% of whatever you failed to withdraw.
Calculate My RMD FreeCalculate your exact required amount
Your mandatory IRA distribution is not a fixed number. It's recalculated every year based on:
- Your IRA balance as of December 31 of the prior year
- Your age, which determines your IRS life expectancy factor
Divide your balance by the factor and you have your required amount. SimpleRMD does this automatically — enter your balance and date of birth and your number is ready in seconds.
The calculator is free. No signup required.
How the IRS determines the number
The IRS uses the Uniform Lifetime Table to set how much of your account you must distribute each year. The older you are, the higher the required percentage.
At age 73 it starts around 3.8%. By age 85 it's closer to 6.8%.
The math is the same regardless of which brokerage holds your IRA. Your custodian may provide a calculation, but the responsibility to take the correct amount falls on you — not them. Learn more about how RMDs are calculated.
Stop redoing this from scratch every year
Most people recalculate their mandatory distribution from scratch each December. SimpleRMD saves your account details so next year's calculation takes seconds.
If you have multiple IRAs across different brokerages, SimpleRMD tracks them together — one dashboard, one deadline, one export for your CPA.
- Free calculator — no account needed
- Paid plan: save inputs, track multiple accounts, generate CPA-ready PDF, get November reminders
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. IRS rules and tax laws are subject to change. Consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for guidance specific to your situation. SimpleRMD is a calculation and tracking tool — not a financial advisory service.