What is the 10% early withdrawal penalty?

10% penalty plus ordinary income tax on distributions from traditional IRA/401k before age 59.5. Example: $20,000 withdrawal at 32% bracket: $2,000 penalty + $6,400 tax = $8,400 total cost, leaving only $11,600.

What are the penalty exceptions?

Penalty exceptions include: disability, death, substantially equal periodic payments (SEPP/72(t)), first home purchase ($10,000 IRA only), higher education (IRA only), health insurance while unemployed (IRA only), age 55 separation from service (401k only), and several others.

Substantially Equal Periodic Payments allow penalty-free distributions from IRA/401k before 59.5 using one of three IRS-approved calculation methods. Must continue for 5 years OR to age 59.5, whichever is longer. Modifying the schedule triggers retroactive penalties.

How are Roth IRA withdrawals ordered for tax purposes?

Roth IRA withdrawals come from: (1) contributions first (always penalty and tax free), then (2) conversions in FIFO order (penalty-free after 5 years per conversion, but this changes after 59.5), then (3) earnings (both tax and penalty before 59.5).

What is the Roth IRA 5-year rule?

Two different 5-year rules: (1) Earnings cannot be withdrawn tax-free until 5 years after the first Roth contribution (regardless of age). (2) Each Roth conversion has its own 5-year period to avoid penalty on the converted amount (applies before 59.5).

Early Retirement Account Withdrawal Penalty Calculator

Calculate cost of early retirement account withdrawals. IRA/401k before 59.5: 10% penalty plus income tax. Roth IRA ordering rules: contributions first (penalty-free), then conversions (5-year rule), then earnings (penalty + tax).

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 10% early withdrawal penalty?

What are the penalty exceptions?

What is 72(t) SEPP?

How are Roth IRA withdrawals ordered for tax purposes?

What is the Roth IRA 5-year rule?