Beneficiary RMD Payout Options Calculator

Compare the payout options open to you as the beneficiary of an IRA or retirement plan, side by side, with taxes at the rate you enter. Next, open the rmd calculator and enter your own details to see an estimate in seconds.

Enter the inheritance

Account type

Owner's date of birth

Owner's date of death

Beneficiary

Disabled or chronically ill status must be documented to the custodian by October 31 of the year after death.

Beneficiary's date of birth

Balance on December 31, 2025

The account value at the end of the year of death.

Expected annual return

Tax rate on withdrawals

Your combined federal and state rate.

More options

Tax rate on reinvested earnings

Withdrawals after tax are assumed to be invested in a taxable account at the same return, with its yearly earnings taxed at this rate.

Your results

Option that leaves the most

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After-tax value of that option

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Default rule for this beneficiary

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Gain over taking it all at once

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Uses one flat tax rate for every withdrawal. A lump sum or a large final-year withdrawal is often taxed at a higher bracket than smaller yearly amounts, so the real gap between options is usually bigger than shown.

Payout options side by side

Each option starts from the same balance and return. After-tax value = money taken out (after tax, then invested) plus whatever is still in the account, less the tax due on it.

Option	Withdrawal years	Total withdrawn	Tax on withdrawals	After-tax value

Withdrawals by year for each option

Results are estimates for educational purposes and are not financial, tax or legal advice.