Inherited IRA RMD Calculator

Determine your required minimum distributions (RMDs) from an inherited IRA with this calculator, designed for beneficiaries navigating post-death distribution rules.

Beneficiary & Account Details

Beneficiary Name

Beneficiary Date of Birth*

mmddyyyy

Use mm/dd/yyyy

Account Holder Date of Death*

mmddyyyy

Use mm/dd/yyyy — date of death determines start of required distributions.

Beneficiary Type*

Account Balance on Date of Death ($)*

Enter the balance in USD.

Distribution Options

Do you elect the 5-year rule?*

Yes

If spouse beneficiary: Do you elect to be treated as the deceased account owner?*

Yes

Distribution Start Choice*

Calculation

Calculation Year*

Year for which you want the RMD amount.

Results

Based on your inputs, here are the calculated distributions for the :

Account Balance on Date of Death:

Beneficiary Age on Date of Death:

0 years

Beneficiary Age on Calculation Year:

-1970 years

Applicable Life-Expectancy Factor (IRS-based approximation):

1037

Estimated Annual RMD:

Estimated Monthly RMD:

Total Required Over X Years:

The annual RMD is the minimum amount you must withdraw from your inherited IRA each year to avoid penalties. This calculator provides an estimate based on the information provided and IRS-based approximations for life expectancy factors.

Note on 5-Year Rule: If you elected the 5-year rule but your beneficiary type or date of death makes it inapplicable, the calculator will default to the life expectancy method if eligible, or indicate that the 5-year rule is not an option for your scenario.

Note on Spouse Election: If you are a spouse beneficiary and elected to be treated as the deceased account owner, your RMDs may be delayed until the deceased's required beginning date or based on your own life expectancy, offering more flexibility. This calculator will reflect the implications of this election.

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How to calculate Inherited IRA RMDs?

Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) from an inherited IRA ensure that beneficiaries withdraw funds over a set period, preventing indefinite tax deferral.

The basic formula for calculating your annual RMD using the life-expectancy method is: Annual RMD = Account Balance ÷ Life-Expectancy Factor.

Using the Inherited IRA calculator: an example

Consider a non-spouse beneficiary aged 48 with an inherited IRA balance of $250,000 and a life-expectancy factor of 33.6.

Step-by-step calculation:

Identify the account balance: $250,000.
Determine the life-expectancy factor for the beneficiary's age: 33.6.
Calculate the annual RMD: $250,000 ÷ 33.6 = $7,440.48.
The monthly RMD would be approximately $620.04 ($7,440.48 ÷ 12).

This calculation helps ensure compliance with IRS distribution rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can spouses delay inherited IRA distributions?

Yes, a spouse beneficiary typically has more flexibility, including the option to roll the inherited IRA into their own IRA and delay distributions until age 73.

What is the 5-year rule?

The 5-year rule requires the entire inherited IRA balance to be distributed by the end of the fifth calendar year following the original owner's death, if the owner died before their required beginning date.

Where do life-expectancy factors come from?

Life-expectancy factors are published by the IRS in tables, such as the Uniform Lifetime Table or the Single Life Expectancy Table, used to determine RMDs.

Does tax withholding apply to RMDs?

Yes, RMDs are generally taxable income, and federal income tax withholding may apply unless you elect otherwise. State taxes may also apply.