RMD at Age 85 — IRS Distribution Factor & 2026 Calculator
What is the Required Minimum Distribution for a 85-year-old?
At age 85, the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table assigns a distribution period of 16 years. This means your Required Minimum Distribution equals your December 31 prior-year account balance divided by 16. On a $500,000 account, the RMD is approximately $31,250 — about 6.3% of the account value.
At age 85, the distribution factor is 16.0 years. The RMD on a $500,000 balance is approximately $31,250 — exactly 6.25% of the account. At this withdrawal rate, an account earning less than 6.25% annually will decline in nominal value.
Calculate Your 2026 RMD
Age 85 · Balance $500,000 → ~$31,250 RMD
Enter your actual balance for a precise calculation
Formula
RMD = Balance ÷ 16 (IRS Uniform Lifetime Table, age 85)
IRS Distribution Period — Age 85
16
Distribution Period (years)
6.3%
% of Balance Required
$31,250
RMD on $500K Balance
$62,500
RMD on $1M Balance
Key RMD Rules
- 1IRS distribution factor at age 85: 16 years.
- 2RMD formula: December 31 prior-year balance ÷ 16.
- 3On a $500,000 account, this produces an RMD of approximately $31,250.
- 4Deadline: December 31 of the current year (or April 1 of the following year for your very first RMD only).
- 5The 25% penalty for missing an RMD (reduced to 10% if corrected within the correction window) applies regardless of age.
- 6At 6.25% annual withdrawals, account preservation requires investment returns that match or exceed the distribution rate.
Common RMD Mistakes to Avoid
- ⚠Using the current year's balance instead of the December 31 prior-year balance — always use the prior December 31 value.
- ⚠Forgetting to take RMDs from each employer plan (401k, 403b) separately — you cannot aggregate multiple employer plans.
- ⚠Assuming the RMD percentage stays constant — it increases every year as the distribution factor decreases.
Related RMD Tools & Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax or financial advice. RMD rules are based on IRS Publication 590-B and SECURE 2.0 Act provisions. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for guidance specific to your situation. IRS rules may change; verify current requirements at irs.gov.