Required Minimum Distribution Estimator

Estimate annual required minimum distributions from traditional retirement accounts based on age, prior year-end balance, and life expectancy factors. Model a first-year RMD, multi-year projection, and optional spouse-age treatment assumptions.

Burrow Tip: RMDs are a tax-management problem as much as a withdrawal rule. The amount you must take is only the start. The real question is what it does to your taxable income.

Use this estimator to understand the size and trend of distributions, then pair it with tax planning outside this tool.

RMD assumptions

Single-year estimate Multi-year projection

Age this year

Enter the age used for the RMD year you want to estimate. This calculator is meant for accounts already subject to RMD rules.

Prior year-end account balance

RMDs are generally based on the account balance as of December 31 of the previous year.

Expected annual portfolio return (%)

Used only for the multi-year projection to estimate how the account may change after each year’s distribution.

Years to project

Estimated tax rate on RMDs (%)

Optional estimate of the rate applied to distributions for after-tax cash flow planning.

Projection start month

Life expectancy table assumptions

Factor table

Spouse younger by (years)

Only relevant for the joint-life style assumption. This is a simplified estimate, not a compliance-grade table lookup.

Custom divisor

Override the table and directly enter the divisor used to calculate the RMD.

Comparison scenario (optional)

Enable comparison scenario

Compare a different return assumption or tax-rate effect.

Comparison annual return (%)

Comparison tax rate (%)

Results

Estimated RMD this year

$—

Estimated required minimum distribution for the selected year

Divisor used

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Life-expectancy factor or custom divisor assumption

After-tax cash from RMD

$—

Estimated cash left after the tax-rate assumption

Projected ending balance

$—

Account balance after growth and distribution

Projected total RMDs

$—

Multi-year total distributions over the projection period

Projected total after-tax cash

$—

Multi-year after-tax cash flow from the projection

Projected RMD and balance over time

Tracks annual RMDs against projected ending account balance.

First-year distribution breakdown

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Comparison results

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RMD projection schedule

The table below shows the first 15 years by default. Use “Show full table” to expand the full projection.

Year	Date	Age	Beginning balance	Divisor	RMD	Tax estimate	After-tax cash	Ending balance

Scenario timeline (Mermaid code)

If your site supports Mermaid elsewhere, you can paste this snippet into a Mermaid block. This tool does not load Mermaid.

How to use these results

RMDs are mandatory withdrawals, but the strategic issue is their downstream effect on taxes and cash flow. The key question is not only “How much do I have to take?” but also “What does that distribution do to my taxable income and remaining account balance?”

Use the annual estimate first: it gives you the immediate withdrawal target for the current year.
Use the multi-year projection second: it helps you see whether RMDs may rise, flatten, or decline under your return assumptions.
Be conservative with return assumptions: RMDs happen even in weak markets, so optimistic projections can be misleading.
Do not treat this as a filing tool: actual RMD rules depend on IRS tables, account aggregation rules, spouse details, and legislative changes.

This tool is best for planning and scenario analysis. It is not a substitute for tax preparation or account-specific custodian calculations.

Estimates only: This calculator is for educational use and does not constitute tax, legal, investment, or retirement-distribution advice.

Assumptions: Results use simplified life-expectancy factors and approximate tax-rate assumptions. Actual RMD rules, IRS tables, and account aggregation rules may differ.

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