RMD Calculator · Practical guide
How Much Is the RMD on $500,000 at Age 73?
Divide the balance by 26.5: a $500,000 account requires a withdrawal of $18,867.92 in the first RMD year.
At a glance
The Answer: $18,867.92
At age 73, the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table gives a distribution period of 26.5 years. Your required minimum distribution is your prior December 31 balance divided by that period: $500,000 ÷ 26.5 = $18,867.92. That amount is taxed as ordinary income, so at a 22% federal rate the tax impact is roughly $4,151, leaving about $14,717 after federal tax.
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Enter your own values, then compare the result with the examples below.
Results
The Same $500,000 at Other Ages
| Age | Distribution Period | RMD on $500,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 73 | 26.5 | $18,867.92 |
| 75 | 24.6 | $20,325.20 |
| 77 | 22.9 | $21,834.06 |
| 80 | 20.2 | $24,752.48 |
| 85 | 16.0 | $31,250.00 |
Notice the required percentage climbs every year as the distribution period shrinks: from about 3.8% of the balance at 73 to 6.25% by 85.
Which Balance Do You Use?
The RMD is based on your account balance as of December 31 of the prior year, not today's value. If your IRA closed last year at $500,000 but has since grown or fallen, you still divide $500,000 by 26.5. With multiple traditional IRAs you compute each account's RMD separately, though you may withdraw the combined total from any one of them.
Your First-Year Deadline Is Different
Most RMDs are due by December 31 of each year. The one exception is your very first RMD: you may delay it until April 1 of the year after you turn 73. Be careful — delaying means taking two taxable distributions in that following year, which can push you into a higher bracket. Enter your balance and age in the calculator above to see your exact RMD, remaining balance, and estimated tax.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I miss the RMD on my $500,000 IRA?
The IRS charges an excise tax of 25% of the amount you failed to withdraw — over $4,700 on an $18,867.92 RMD. The penalty drops to 10% if you correct the shortfall promptly, generally within two years.
Can I take more than the required amount?
Yes. The RMD is a floor, not a ceiling. Extra withdrawals are allowed but are still taxed as ordinary income, and excess taken in one year does not reduce the next year's RMD.
Does a Roth IRA have an RMD at 73?
No. Roth IRAs have no required minimum distributions during the original owner's lifetime, which is one reason retirees roll traditional funds into Roth accounts ahead of RMD age.
Is the RMD different if my spouse is much younger?
Yes. If your spouse is your sole beneficiary and more than 10 years younger, you use the joint life table, which stretches the distribution period and lowers each year's RMD.