In August of this year, Paul turned 71. He was a participant in his former employers profit sharing plan. His profit sharing plan had an account balance of $600,000 on December 31 of this year, and $450,000 on December 31 of last year. According to the Uniform Lifetime Table the factors for ages 70, 71, and 72 are 27.4, 26.5, and 25.6 respectively. What is the amount of Pauls first required minimum distribution for this year?

a.

$16,423.

b.

$16,981.

c.

$17,578.

d.

$22,641.