Minimum Distribution Drawdown Path
Calculator
Results
- First distribution
- $18,867.92
- Ending balance
- $204,586.42
- Total withdrawn
- $823,239.32
- Final divisor
- 4.899999 yr
Portfolio balance path
- Ending balance
- Cumulative withdrawn
Year-by-year portfolio projection
| 1 | 18,867.92 | 24,056.60 | 505,188.68 | 18,867.92 |
| 2 | 19,733.93 | 24,272.74 | 509,727.48 | 38,601.86 |
| 3 | 20,636.74 | 24,454.54 | 513,545.28 | 59,238.60 |
| 4 | 21,577.53 | 24,598.39 | 516,566.14 | 80,816.13 |
| 5 | 22,557.47 | 24,700.43 | 518,709.10 | 103,373.60 |
| 6 | 23,577.69 | 24,756.57 | 519,887.98 | 126,951.29 |
| 7 | 24,639.24 | 24,762.44 | 520,011.18 | 151,590.53 |
| 8 | 25,743.13 | 24,713.40 | 518,981.45 | 177,333.66 |
| 9 | 26,890.23 | 24,604.56 | 516,695.78 | 204,223.89 |
| 10 | 28,081.29 | 24,430.72 | 513,045.21 | 232,305.18 |
| 11 | 29,316.87 | 24,186.42 | 507,914.76 | 261,622.05 |
| 12 | 30,597.27 | 23,865.87 | 501,183.36 | 292,219.33 |
| 13 | 31,922.51 | 23,463.04 | 492,723.90 | 324,141.83 |
| 14 | 33,292.16 | 22,971.59 | 482,403.33 | 357,433.99 |
| 15 | 34,705.28 | 22,384.90 | 470,082.96 | 392,139.26 |
| 16 | 36,160.23 | 21,696.14 | 455,618.86 | 428,299.49 |
| 17 | 37,654.45 | 20,898.22 | 438,862.63 | 465,953.94 |
| 18 | 39,184.16 | 19,983.92 | 419,662.39 | 505,138.11 |
| 19 | 40,743.92 | 18,945.92 | 397,864.40 | 545,882.03 |
| 20 | 42,326.00 | 17,776.92 | 373,315.32 | 588,208.03 |
| 21 | 43,919.45 | 16,469.79 | 345,865.66 | 632,127.48 |
| 22 | 45,508.64 | 15,017.85 | 315,374.87 | 677,636.11 |
| 23 | 47,070.88 | 13,415.20 | 281,719.19 | 724,706.99 |
| 24 | 48,572.27 | 11,657.35 | 244,804.27 | 773,279.27 |
| 25 | 49,960.05 | 9,742.21 | 204,586.42 | 823,239.32 |
Comparison
| Scenario | Ending balance | Total withdrawn | First distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baseline scenario | 747,640.61 | 471,698.11 | 18,867.92 |
| Selected scenario | 204,586.42 | 823,239.32 | 18,867.92 |
Formula
RMDₜ = Bₜ₋₁ ÷ divisorₜ, divisorₜ = d₀ − decline × (t − 1)= 18867.92
Note
This is not financial advice. It is a simplified model: it applies the displayed formula to the figures you entered, uses a single constant rate for every year unless you supplied more, and ignores taxes, fees, product charges and any country's specific pension, benefit or minimum-distribution rules. Sequence-of-returns risk and longevity risk are real: a run of poor early years can exhaust a portfolio that the average return alone calls safe, and living longer than projected is the risk this page cannot price. Real returns can be negative. Consult a licensed adviser before acting on any figure here.
More in Retirement drawdown
See all →Frequently asked questions
What are minimum distributions and why are they forced?+
Tax-advantaged retirement accounts generally require you to withdraw a minimum percentage each year once you reach a certain age, calculated by dividing the account balance by a life-expectancy factor. The rule exists so tax-deferred savings eventually get taxed rather than growing indefinitely untaxed.
Why does my required withdrawal amount increase over time even if the balance doesn't grow?+
The divisor used to calculate the required amount decreases as you age, reflecting a shorter remaining life expectancy, so the same balance produces a larger required percentage withdrawal each year. This effect compounds with any investment growth in the account.
What happens if the account grows faster than I withdraw?+
The required withdrawal is recalculated each year off the current balance, so a well-performing portfolio can mean minimum distributions keep rising in dollar terms for years, even as the percentage required also climbs with age.
Is the minimum distribution the same as what I should spend?+
No — it's a tax-driven minimum, not a spending recommendation. Many retirees reinvest distributions they don't need for living expenses into a taxable account rather than spending them, since the requirement only forces the money out of the tax-advantaged account, not out of your net worth.
Does this calculator account for changing life-expectancy tables?+
It uses the divisor table in effect at the time the tool was built; these tables are occasionally updated by regulation. Treat the long-range projection as an approximation and re-check the current year's actual required amount against official tables when it matters, such as for tax filing.