How do you calculate RMD for TSP?
A TSP required minimum distribution is the smallest amount the IRS requires you to take from your traditional TSP each year after you reach your RMD age and leave federal service. The TSP uses one simple formula.
For example, if your traditional TSP balance was $500,000 on December 31, 2025, and you turn 73 in 2026, your 2026 RMD is $500,000 ÷ 26.5 = $18,867.92. That is 3.77% of the balance.
- Who: participants who have separated from federal or uniformed service and reached RMD age.
- Age: 73 if born 1951–1959. 75 if born in 1960 or later.
- Balance used: your traditional (non-Roth) balance on December 31 of the previous year.
- Table: IRS Uniform Lifetime Table (the same factors since 2022).
- Deadline: December 31 each year. Your first RMD can wait until April 1 of the next year.
- Roth TSP: no RMD for the account owner since 2024.
Are there RMDs on TSP accounts?
Yes. The IRS requires RMDs from the TSP, just as it does for most 401(k) plans and traditional IRAs. There are three TSP details to know.
- Only separated participants must take RMDs. If you still work for the federal government, you do not have to take a TSP RMD yet. Your first RMD is due by April 1 of the year after you separate, if you have already reached RMD age.
- Only your traditional balance counts. Since January 1, 2024, your Roth TSP balance is not used to figure your RMD, and Roth withdrawals do not count toward it.
- The TSP helps you. If you take less than your RMD, the TSP sends the shortfall to a separated participant automatically.
You can find official details on the TSP website. The TSP calculators page does not list a stand-alone RMD calculator, which is why this tool exists.
TSP RMD age: 73 or 75?
Your RMD age depends on the year you were born. The first year you are both separated and at RMD age is your first distribution year.
| Birth year | RMD age | First RMD year |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 or earlier | 72 or earlier | Already started |
| 1951 | 73 | 2024 |
| 1952 | 73 | 2025 |
| 1953 | 73 | 2026 |
| 1954 | 73 | 2027 |
| 1955 | 73 | 2028 |
| 1956 | 73 | 2029 |
| 1957 | 73 | 2030 |
| 1958 | 73 | 2031 |
| 1959 | 73 | 2032 |
| 1960 or later | 75 | Year you turn 75 (for 1960, that is 2035) |
These years assume you have already left federal service. If you separate later, your first RMD year is the year you separate.
How do I calculate my RMD for 2026?
Follow these four steps, or let the calculator above do them for you.
- Step 1: Find your balance. Look at your TSP statement for the traditional balance on December 31, 2025. Leave out your Roth balance.
- Step 2: Find your age. Subtract your birth year from 2026. Someone born in 1953 reaches 73 in 2026, even if the birthday is in December.
- Step 3: Find your factor. Look up that age in the table below. Age 73 is 26.5.
- Step 4: Divide. $500,000 ÷ 26.5 = $18,867.92. This is your 2026 RMD.
What is the RMD factor table for 2026?
The TSP uses the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table (IRS Publication 590-B, Appendix B, Table III). There is no new table for 2026. The same factors have applied since 2022. A bigger factor means a smaller RMD. The share column shows what percent of your balance you must take.
| Age in the RMD year | Factor (divide by) | Share of balance |
|---|---|---|
| 72 | 27.4 | 3.65% |
| 73 | 26.5 | 3.77% |
| 74 | 25.5 | 3.92% |
| 75 | 24.6 | 4.07% |
| 76 | 23.7 | 4.22% |
| 77 | 22.9 | 4.37% |
| 78 | 22.0 | 4.55% |
| 79 | 21.1 | 4.74% |
| 80 | 20.2 | 4.95% |
| 81 | 19.4 | 5.15% |
| 82 | 18.5 | 5.41% |
| 83 | 17.7 | 5.65% |
| 84 | 16.8 | 5.95% |
| 85 | 16.0 | 6.25% |
| 86 | 15.2 | 6.58% |
| 87 | 14.4 | 6.94% |
| 88 | 13.7 | 7.30% |
| 89 | 12.9 | 7.75% |
| 90 | 12.2 | 8.20% |
| 91 | 11.5 | 8.70% |
| 92 | 10.8 | 9.26% |
| 93 | 10.1 | 9.90% |
| 94 | 9.5 | 10.53% |
| 95 | 8.9 | 11.24% |
| 96 | 8.4 | 11.90% |
| 97 | 7.8 | 12.82% |
| 98 | 7.3 | 13.70% |
| 99 | 6.8 | 14.71% |
| 100 | 6.4 | 15.63% |
| 101 | 6.0 | 16.67% |
| 102 | 5.6 | 17.86% |
| 103 | 5.2 | 19.23% |
| 104 | 4.9 | 20.41% |
| 105 | 4.6 | 21.74% |
| 106 | 4.3 | 23.26% |
| 107 | 4.1 | 24.39% |
| 108 | 3.9 | 25.64% |
| 109 | 3.7 | 27.03% |
| 110 | 3.5 | 28.57% |
| 111 | 3.4 | 29.41% |
| 112 | 3.3 | 30.30% |
| 113 | 3.1 | 32.26% |
| 114 | 3.0 | 33.33% |
| 115 | 2.9 | 34.48% |
| 116 | 2.8 | 35.71% |
| 117 | 2.7 | 37.04% |
| 118 | 2.5 | 40.00% |
| 119 | 2.3 | 43.48% |
| 120 and older | 2.0 | 50.00% |
How much would RMD be on $500,000?
A $500,000 traditional TSP balance has a first RMD of $18,867.92 at age 73, or $20,325.20 at age 75. The amount rises with age because the factor gets smaller.
| Age | Factor | RMD | Share of balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 73 | 26.5 | $18,867.92 | 3.77% |
| 74 | 25.5 | $19,607.84 | 3.92% |
| 75 | 24.6 | $20,325.20 | 4.07% |
| 76 | 23.7 | $21,097.05 | 4.22% |
| 77 | 22.9 | $21,834.06 | 4.37% |
| 78 | 22.0 | $22,727.27 | 4.55% |
| 80 | 20.2 | $24,752.48 | 4.95% |
| 85 | 16.0 | $31,250.00 | 6.25% |
| 90 | 12.2 | $40,983.61 | 8.20% |
What would my RMD be on 1 million dollars?
A $1,000,000 traditional TSP balance has an RMD of $37,735.85 at age 73 and $40,650.41 at age 75. This assumes the balance on December 31 is $1,000,000.
| Age | Factor | RMD | Share of balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 73 | 26.5 | $37,735.85 | 3.77% |
| 74 | 25.5 | $39,215.69 | 3.92% |
| 75 | 24.6 | $40,650.41 | 4.07% |
| 76 | 23.7 | $42,194.09 | 4.22% |
| 77 | 22.9 | $43,668.12 | 4.37% |
| 78 | 22.0 | $45,454.55 | 4.55% |
| 80 | 20.2 | $49,504.95 | 4.95% |
| 85 | 16.0 | $62,500.00 | 6.25% |
| 90 | 12.2 | $81,967.21 | 8.20% |
What would the RMD be on $300,000?
A $300,000 traditional TSP balance has an RMD of $11,320.75 at age 73 and $12,195.12 at age 75.
| Age | Factor | RMD | Share of balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 73 | 26.5 | $11,320.75 | 3.77% |
| 74 | 25.5 | $11,764.71 | 3.92% |
| 75 | 24.6 | $12,195.12 | 4.07% |
| 76 | 23.7 | $12,658.23 | 4.22% |
| 77 | 22.9 | $13,100.44 | 4.37% |
| 78 | 22.0 | $13,636.36 | 4.55% |
| 80 | 20.2 | $14,851.49 | 4.95% |
| 85 | 16.0 | $18,750.00 | 6.25% |
| 90 | 12.2 | $24,590.16 | 8.20% |
How much are RMDs at age 75?
At age 75, the IRS factor is 24.6. Your RMD is 4.07% of your balance, or about $4,065 for every $100,000. Here are common balances.
| Balance on December 31 | RMD at age 75 |
|---|---|
| $100,000 | $4,065.04 |
| $250,000 | $10,162.60 |
| $300,000 | $12,195.12 |
| $400,000 | $16,260.16 |
| $500,000 | $20,325.20 |
| $750,000 | $30,487.80 |
| $1,000,000 | $40,650.41 |
| $1,500,000 | $60,975.61 |
Here is a wider view of the same idea, with several balances and ages side by side.
| Balance | Age 73 | Age 75 | Age 80 | Age 85 | Age 90 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $100,000 | $3,773.58 | $4,065.04 | $4,950.50 | $6,250.00 | $8,196.72 |
| $250,000 | $9,433.96 | $10,162.60 | $12,376.24 | $15,625.00 | $20,491.80 |
| $300,000 | $11,320.75 | $12,195.12 | $14,851.49 | $18,750.00 | $24,590.16 |
| $500,000 | $18,867.92 | $20,325.20 | $24,752.48 | $31,250.00 | $40,983.61 |
| $750,000 | $28,301.89 | $30,487.80 | $37,128.71 | $46,875.00 | $61,475.41 |
| $1,000,000 | $37,735.85 | $40,650.41 | $49,504.95 | $62,500.00 | $81,967.21 |
| $1,500,000 | $56,603.77 | $60,975.61 | $74,257.43 | $93,750.00 | $122,950.82 |
Do RMDs get bigger every year?
The percentage you must take gets bigger every year, because the factor gets smaller. It goes from 3.77% at age 73 to 4.07% at 75, 4.95% at 80, and 6.25% at 85. The dollar amount depends on what happens to your balance. If your investments grow, your RMD usually rises. If your balance stays flat or falls, the dollar RMD can stay about the same or fall, even though the percentage rises.
This table follows a $500,000 balance from age 73. The first column of dollars assumes 0% growth, and the second assumes 5% growth. These are examples, not predictions.
| Age | Year | Factor | Share of balance | RMD with 0% growth | RMD with 5% growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 73 | 2026 | 26.5 | 3.77% | $18,868 | $18,868 |
| 74 | 2027 | 25.5 | 3.92% | $18,868 | $19,811 |
| 75 | 2028 | 24.6 | 4.07% | $18,791 | $20,717 |
| 76 | 2029 | 23.7 | 4.22% | $18,712 | $21,661 |
| 77 | 2030 | 22.9 | 4.37% | $18,549 | $22,546 |
| 78 | 2031 | 22.0 | 4.55% | $18,464 | $23,566 |
| 79 | 2032 | 21.1 | 4.74% | $18,377 | $24,627 |
| 80 | 2033 | 20.2 | 4.95% | $18,286 | $25,730 |
| 81 | 2034 | 19.4 | 5.15% | $18,097 | $26,738 |
| 82 | 2035 | 18.5 | 5.41% | $17,999 | $27,923 |
| 83 | 2036 | 17.7 | 5.65% | $17,796 | $28,988 |
| 84 | 2037 | 16.8 | 5.95% | $17,690 | $30,256 |
| 85 | 2038 | 16.0 | 6.25% | $17,469 | $31,372 |
With 5% growth, the RMD in this example keeps rising until about age 95, when it reaches about $39,258. With 0% growth, it slowly falls from $18,868 at age 73 to about $15,967 at age 90.
When is your TSP RMD due?
Your RMD is due by December 31 each year. Your first RMD has a special rule: you can wait until April 1 of the next year. But then you must also take that next year's RMD by December 31. You would have two RMDs in one tax year, which can push you into a higher tax bracket.
Example: a person who turns 73 in 2026 with a $500,000 balance has a 2026 RMD of $18,867.92. If they wait until April 1, 2027, they must also take their 2027 RMD in 2027. With 5% growth, that second RMD is about $20,588, so the total for 2027 is about $39,456. Use the first-year option in the calculator to see your own numbers.
What happens if you miss your TSP RMD?
If you take less than your RMD, the IRS can charge a 25% tax on the amount you missed. The tax drops to 10% if you correct the mistake within the IRS correction period. If you are a separated participant and you do not take enough, the TSP sends the missing amount to you automatically, so a miss is unlikely if your TSP records are correct.
RMDs, taxes, and your paycheck
RMDs from a traditional TSP are taxable income at the federal level. Many states tax them too, and some states have no income tax. Texas and Florida, for example, do not tax income. You can see how state taxes change regular pay with our Texas Paycheck Calculator and Florida Paycheck Calculator. For states with income tax, try the California, Illinois, New Jersey, North Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, or New York City paycheck calculators. These tools are for wages, so they are most useful if you work part-time in retirement.
Extra income in the same year can raise your tax bill. If you receive a bonus in your last year of work, the California Bonus Tax Calculator shows how bonus withholding works.
Planning before you retire
While you are still working, estimate your take-home pay with the Federal Employee Paycheck Calculator. If you work extra hours, the Overtime Pay Calculator and the 12-Hour Shift Overtime Calculator can help you plan your income. To compare an hourly job with a salary, use the Hourly to Salary Calculator. If you plan to consult or freelance after you retire, the Freelance Rate Calculator can help you set a rate that covers your taxes.
TSP RMD terms explained
- Required minimum distribution (RMD)
- The smallest amount you must withdraw from your traditional TSP each year once RMDs begin.
- RMD age
- The age when RMDs begin: 73 for births from 1951 to 1959, and 75 for births in 1960 or later.
- Separated participant
- A TSP participant who has left federal or uniformed service.
- Required beginning date
- The deadline for your first RMD, which is April 1 of the year after you are both separated and at RMD age.
- Uniform Lifetime Table
- The IRS table of factors that the TSP uses to figure your RMD.
- Traditional TSP
- Your pre-tax TSP balance. It is taxed when you withdraw it.
- Roth TSP
- Your after-tax TSP balance. It has no RMD for the account owner.
- Still-working exception
- The rule that lets a federal employee wait to take TSP RMDs until after they separate.
