Understanding RMD Tables
Overview
The IRS publishes life expectancy tables that determine how much of a retirement account you're required to withdraw each year. Which table applies depends on your situation, most people use the Uniform Lifetime Table, but the right one can differ for spouses with a large age gap or for certain beneficiaries.
Getting the table right matters because the resulting distribution amount has a real tax consequence and a real deadline attached to it.
What this checklist covers
- 1Uniform Lifetime Table
- 2Joint and Last Survivor Table
- 3Single Life Expectancy Table
Common questions
Take the full checklist into your retirement decision
A printable checklist you can work through before you set a date.
PDF · 199 KB · No email required
Related Resources
Keep exploring retirement planning
Articles, printable guides, and short videos on this topic. See the full Retirement Planning hub.
Watch
Download
- What Issues Should I Consider Before I Retire?Retirement Planning
- What Issues Should I Consider When Inheriting a Traditional or Roth IRA?Retirement Planning
- What Issues Should I Consider if I'm Concerned About Outliving My Assets?Retirement Planning
Read
- What Does Narrow Market Performance Mean for Investors?October 14, 2026
- Financial MythBusters: Social Media Money Myths, Episode 1October 8, 2026
- Celebrating Meridian Financial Partners’ 11th AnniversarySeptember 30, 2026
Sourced from a licensed fpPathfinder reference guide. Page copy is original summary content; specific table values are not reproduced on the page.