RMD Impact Calculator

Estimate your Required Minimum Distributions and see how withdrawals can affect taxes and your account balance over time.

Prior Year-End Balance ($)

Your Age (this year)

Expected Annual Growth (%)

Estimated Tax Rate on Withdrawals (%)

Projection Years

Extra Withdrawal Each Year ($)

Round RMD to Nearest

Note: This uses the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table (most common case). If your spouse is more than 10 years younger and the sole beneficiary, the IRS uses a different table.

Scenario A: RMD Only

Scenario B: RMD + Extra Withdrawal

Year-by-Year Projection

RMD = (prior year-end balance) ÷ (IRS distribution period factor for your age).

Year	Age	Start Balance	Factor	RMD	Extra	Total Withdrawal	Est. Tax	End Balance

Why RMD Planning Matters

Once RMDs start, the IRS requires you to take at least a minimum amount out of certain retirement accounts each year. That withdrawal is usually taxable income, which can affect your budget, tax bill, and even how long your money lasts.

How this calculator works (plain English)

The IRS publishes a “life expectancy” style number for each age called a distribution period factor. Your RMD is calculated by taking your prior year-end balance and dividing it by that factor. Example: if your balance was $500,000 and your factor is 26.5, the RMD is about $18,868 for that year.

This calculator repeats that process year by year: it starts with your balance, calculates the RMD for your age, optionally adds an extra withdrawal, estimates taxes using the tax rate you enter, then applies your growth rate to estimate the ending balance. It’s meant to show the direction and the tradeoffs—especially the difference between taking only the minimum vs. taking more on purpose.

What to watch for

Taxes: Higher withdrawals can mean higher taxes. Lower withdrawals can mean a bigger balance later (and potentially bigger RMDs later).
Cash flow: RMDs may be more (or less) than what you actually need to live on.
Timing strategy: Some people use intentional withdrawals earlier to reduce later RMD pressure.

Educational tool only. For tax decisions and account-specific rules, confirm details with a qualified tax professional.