Skip to main content

RMD at age 74

At 74 the IRS divisor is 25.5, so your required minimum distribution is 3.92% of the account balance on December 31 of last year: $3,922 for every $100,000.

RMD at 74 by account balance

RMD at age 74: balance ÷ 25.5
December 31 balanceRMD at 74Per month
$100,000$3,921.57$327
RMD on $200,000$7,843.14$654
$250,000$9,803.92$817
$300,000$11,764.71$980
$400,000$15,686.27$1,307
RMD on $500,000$19,607.84$1,634
RMD on $750,000$29,411.76$2,451
RMD on $1 million$39,215.69$3,268
RMD on $1.5 million$58,823.53$4,902
RMD on $2 million$78,431.37$6,536
RMD on $3 million$117,647.06$9,804
RMD on $5 million$196,078.43$16,340

The divisor around age 74

The divisor drops by about one each year, so the share you must take rises. At 79 it is 4.74%; at 84, 5.95%.

IRS Uniform Lifetime Table, ages around 74
AgeDivisorShare of balanceOn $500,000
7326.53.77%$18,868
7425.53.92%$19,608
7524.64.07%$20,325
7623.74.22%$21,097
7722.94.37%$21,834
7822.04.55%$22,727
7921.14.74%$23,697
8020.24.95%$24,752
8119.45.15%$25,773
8218.55.41%$27,027
8317.75.65%$28,249
8416.85.95%$29,762

The next ten years from 74

$500,000 at 74 in 2026, growing 5% a year after each RMD:

RMDs from $500,000 starting at 74, 5% a year
YearAgeDivisorRMDBalance at end
20267425.5$19,608$504,412
20277524.6$20,505$508,103
20287623.7$21,439$510,997
20297722.9$22,314$513,117
20307822.0$23,323$514,283
20317921.1$24,374$514,405
20328020.2$25,466$513,386
20338119.4$26,463$511,269
20348218.5$27,636$507,815
20358317.7$28,690$503,081

Who takes an RMD at 74

Turning 74 in 2026 means you were born in 1952. Your RMDs started at 73 under SECURE 2.0. Anyone born in 1960 or later starts at 75 instead, so a first RMD at 75 is due from 2035. Traditional, SEP and SIMPLE IRAs, 401(k), 403(b) and 457(b) plans all count. Roth IRAs, and since 2024 Roth 401(k)s, need none while you are alive. Missing one costs a 25% excise tax on the shortfall, cut to 10% if you correct it in time.

Tax on an RMD at 74

On $500,000 the RMD at 74 is $19,608. The federal tax it adds on 2026 rules, estimates:

  • Single, $24,000 of Social Security: about $0, 0% of the RMD.
  • Married, $42,000 of Social Security: about $0, 0% of the RMD.

The calculator, set to age 74

Your 2026 RMD$19,607.84$500,000 ÷ 25.5 (age 74)
DeadlineDecember 31, 2026Every year after the first
Share of the balance3.92%1 ÷ 25.5
Your RMD starting age73Born in 1952

Born in 1952, you are 74 in 2026, so the IRS divisor is 25.5. Your 2026 required minimum distribution from a $500,000 balance is $19,607.84, due by December 31, 2026.

An RMD is income, so it can move your Medicare premium two years later. Add this RMD in the IRMAA calculator.

Taxable RMD$19,608The whole RMD counts as income
Federal tax it adds$3,943Including Social Security it makes taxable
State tax it adds$0Pick a state to include it
Tax as a share of the RMD20.1%$3,943 in total

With $24,000 of Social Security and $20,000 of other income, filing single, your $19,608 taxable RMD adds about $3,943 of federal tax, 20.1% of it. That is the difference between your tax with and without the RMD, on 2026 brackets.

Figures checked on against IRS Publication 590-B (2025), Distributions from IRAs, IRS, Retirement plan and IRA required minimum distributions FAQs and T.D. 10001, final required minimum distribution regulations (July 19, 2024).

Frequently asked questions

What is the RMD divisor at age 74?
25.5, from the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table that most IRA owners use. Divide the balance on December 31 of the previous year by it.
What percentage is the RMD at 74?
3.92% of the balance: 1 divided by 25.5. On $1,000,000 that is $39,215.69.
What is the RMD on $500,000 at 74?
$19,607.84, which is $500,000 divided by 25.5.
Do I have to take an RMD at 74 in 2026?
Yes if you turn 74 in 2026: you were born in 1952, so your RMDs started at 73, and the 2026 amount is due by December 31, 2026. Roth IRAs need none while you are alive, and a current employer’s plan can wait if you still work there and own 5% or less.