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RMD at age 97

At 97 the IRS divisor is 7.8, so your required minimum distribution is 12.82% of the account balance on December 31 of last year: $12,821 for every $100,000.

RMD at 97 by account balance

RMD at age 97: balance ÷ 7.8
December 31 balanceRMD at 97Per month
RMD on $100,000$12,820.51$1,068
RMD on $150,000$19,230.77$1,603
RMD on $200,000$25,641.03$2,137
RMD on $250,000$32,051.28$2,671
RMD on $300,000$38,461.54$3,205
RMD on $350,000$44,871.79$3,739
RMD on $400,000$51,282.05$4,274
RMD on $450,000$57,692.31$4,808
RMD on $500,000$64,102.56$5,342
RMD on $600,000$76,923.08$6,410
RMD on $700,000$89,743.59$7,479
RMD on $750,000$96,153.85$8,013
RMD on $800,000$102,564.10$8,547
RMD on $900,000$115,384.62$9,615
RMD on $1 million$128,205.13$10,684
RMD on $1.25 million$160,256.41$13,355
RMD on $1.5 million$192,307.69$16,026
RMD on $1.75 million$224,358.97$18,697
RMD on $2 million$256,410.26$21,368
RMD on $2.5 million$320,512.82$26,709
RMD on $3 million$384,615.38$32,051
RMD on $4 million$512,820.51$42,735
RMD on $5 million$641,025.64$53,419
RMD on $10 million$1,282,051.28$106,838

The divisor around age 97

The divisor drops by about one each year, so the share you must take rises. At 102 it is 17.86%; at 107, 24.39%.

IRS Uniform Lifetime Table, ages around 97
AgeDivisorShare of balanceOn $500,000
9210.89.26%$46,296
9310.19.90%$49,505
949.510.53%$52,632
958.911.24%$56,180
968.411.90%$59,524
977.812.82%$64,103
987.313.70%$68,493
996.814.71%$73,529
1006.415.63%$78,125

The next ten years from 97

$500,000 at 97 in 2026, growing 5% a year after each RMD:

RMDs from $500,000 starting at 97, 5% a year
YearAgeDivisorRMDBalance at end
2026977.8$64,103$457,692
2027987.3$62,698$414,744
2028996.8$60,992$371,440
20291006.4$58,038$329,073
20301016.0$54,845$287,939
20311025.6$51,418$248,347
20321035.2$47,759$210,618
20331044.9$42,983$176,016
20341054.6$38,264$144,639
20351064.3$33,637$116,552

Who takes an RMD at 97

Turning 97 in 2026 means you were born in 1929. Your RMDs started at 70½ under the rules before the SECURE Act. 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 97

On $500,000 the RMD at 97 is $64,103. The federal tax it adds on 2026 rules, estimates:

  • Single, $24,000 of Social Security: about $8,115, 13% of the RMD.
  • Married, $42,000 of Social Security: about $5,780, 9% of the RMD.

The calculator, set to age 97

Your 2026 RMD$64,102.56$500,000 ÷ 7.8 (age 97)
DeadlineDecember 31, 2026Every year after the first
Share of the balance12.82%1 ÷ 7.8
Your RMD starting age70½Born in 1929

Born in 1929, you are 97 in 2026, so the IRS divisor is 7.8. Your 2026 required minimum distribution from a $500,000 balance is $64,102.56, 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$64,103The whole RMD counts as income
Federal tax it adds$12,779Including Social Security it makes taxable
State tax it adds$0Pick a state to include it
Tax as a share of the RMD19.9%$12,779 in total

With $24,000 of Social Security and $20,000 of other income, filing single, your $64,103 taxable RMD adds about $12,779 of federal tax, 19.9% 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 97?
7.8, 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 97?
12.82% of the balance: 1 divided by 7.8. On $1,000,000 that is $128,205.13.
What is the RMD on $500,000 at 97?
$64,102.56, which is $500,000 divided by 7.8.
Do I have to take an RMD at 97 in 2026?
Yes if you turn 97 in 2026: you were born in 1929, so your RMDs started at 70½, 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.