©  George H. Coughlin II  2002  All Rights Reserved          Return to Home Page

Calculating Minimum Required Distributions
At Age 70½ and Beyond

Based On Dual Redetermined Joint Life Expectancy Using Attained Ages Each Year

               MRD_xxxx = Market Value on Preceding December 31 / Life Expectancy    

                Current Tax Year Is 2000

                Market Value of Your IRA on December 31, 1999 Was $400,000

                You Are Married

                   You and Your Spouse Both Reach Age 70½ By Year-End

                   Joint Life Expectancy Factor From Table VI of Reg. §1.72-9 Is 20.6 Years

 Calculation For 2000 

                MRD₂₀₀₀ = $400,000 / 20.6 = $19,417

Use the same formula but remember to substitute the market value as of December 31, 2000 as well as the life expectancy factor which corresponds to your age 71 birthdays which will be celebrated in 2001.

If your IRA’s market value equals $408,583 on 12/31/2000 and the joint life expectancy factor for a husband and wife who are both age 71 is 19.8 years, the calculation would be carried out as follows. 

                    MRD₂₀₀₁ = $408,583 / 19.8 = $20,635 

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