For Senior Taxpayers
Question: I am over age 70 ½. How do I determine the amount I must withdraw each year from my IRA & 401(k) accounts to avoid penalty?
Answer:
Generally, a required minimum distribution (RMD) is calculated for each account by dividing the prior December 31st balance of that IRA or retirement plan account by a life expectancy factor that IRS publishes in Tables in Publication 590 (PDF), Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs). There are three separate tables:
- The Uniform Lifetime Table (Table III) is used by an unmarried owner, a owner whose spouse is not the sole beneficiary, and an owner whose spouse is not more than 10 years younger;
- The Joint and Last Survivor Table (Table II) is used by a married owner whose spouse is both more than 10 years younger and the sole beneficiary of the account; and
- The Single Life Expectancy Table (Table I) is used by a beneficiary of an account.
You can use Worksheet 1-5, Figuring the Taxable Part of Your IRA Distribution, on page 44 of Publication 590 (PDF).
For additional information, see Publication 590 for RMD on IRAs and Publication 575 for RMD on 401(k) plans.
Category: Other
Subcategory: For Senior Taxpayers
