How to retire early without penalty?

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Logistically speaking, how would one retire early without getting hit with withdrawal penalties?



As far as I know, most tax-incentivised retirement accounts slap you with penalties for making withdrawals before retirement age.




Let's assume that I am 40 years old and have enough money in my 401k and Roth IRA to retire. I want to retire and live off of the growth of these funds. How would I make withdrawals from these accounts without incurring penalties?



I've seen plenty of guides on early retirement (FIRE), but I can't find material on actually retiring early.










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    up vote
    6
    down vote

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    Logistically speaking, how would one retire early without getting hit with withdrawal penalties?



    As far as I know, most tax-incentivised retirement accounts slap you with penalties for making withdrawals before retirement age.




    Let's assume that I am 40 years old and have enough money in my 401k and Roth IRA to retire. I want to retire and live off of the growth of these funds. How would I make withdrawals from these accounts without incurring penalties?



    I've seen plenty of guides on early retirement (FIRE), but I can't find material on actually retiring early.










    share|improve this question









    New contributor




    ewiggin is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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      up vote
      6
      down vote

      favorite
      1









      up vote
      6
      down vote

      favorite
      1






      1





      Logistically speaking, how would one retire early without getting hit with withdrawal penalties?



      As far as I know, most tax-incentivised retirement accounts slap you with penalties for making withdrawals before retirement age.




      Let's assume that I am 40 years old and have enough money in my 401k and Roth IRA to retire. I want to retire and live off of the growth of these funds. How would I make withdrawals from these accounts without incurring penalties?



      I've seen plenty of guides on early retirement (FIRE), but I can't find material on actually retiring early.










      share|improve this question









      New contributor




      ewiggin is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.











      Logistically speaking, how would one retire early without getting hit with withdrawal penalties?



      As far as I know, most tax-incentivised retirement accounts slap you with penalties for making withdrawals before retirement age.




      Let's assume that I am 40 years old and have enough money in my 401k and Roth IRA to retire. I want to retire and live off of the growth of these funds. How would I make withdrawals from these accounts without incurring penalties?



      I've seen plenty of guides on early retirement (FIRE), but I can't find material on actually retiring early.







      united-states retirement early-retirement






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      edited 42 mins ago









      0x499602D2

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          3 Answers
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          up vote
          7
          down vote













          There is a provision for this. It’s called Sec 72(t) and it permits you to take annual withdrawals according to your age, for 5 years or age 59-1/2 whichever is later. Tax is due, but this avoids the 10% penalty.



          Note - while not really part of the question, you should be aware that the 401(k) withdrawal has a fixed 20% withholding for taxes. Depending on your situation, this may set you up for a large refund. Better to use the IRA for withdrawals where you can adjust the tax withheld.






          share|improve this answer





























            up vote
            2
            down vote













            You are assuming that the funds saved for your retirement must all be in specific tax accounts at the outset.



            First of all, you should be wary of the difference between your investment portfolio (ie: which stocks/bonds/etc. you invest in), and the investment 'vehicles' that you use to make those investments (ie: 401k vs IRA etc.).



            This distinction is especially important when reading information online, which may not be based on your jurisdiction, and therefore won't incorporate the tax concerns you may be having.



            Whether any of this matters to you will depend on how much you have already invested through 'tax deferred' vehicles (not all of which penalize you for early withdrawal).



            If you have a specific question about your specific financial situation + goals + tax jurisdiction, you should ask that separately.






            share|improve this answer



























              up vote
              2
              down vote














              How would I make withdrawals from these accounts without incurring penalties?




              There is one piece that might be tapped without penalty, and that is your contributions to your Roth IRA. If you have had a Roth IRA for at least 5 years (starting from the first contribution to a Roth IRA) then you can withdraw your contributions without penalty. There are other cases as well (e.g. paying for secondary education expenses) so if you can just use the "retirement" funds for those activities and cash flow your actual "retirement" then you can avoid some penalties, but there's nothing specific to FIRE that avoids them.



              However, I would say that if your goal is to "retire" before 59 1/2, then IRAs might not be the best vehicle for you. You can always contribute to other investments (real estate, non-retirement investment accounts) that do not have such restrictions.



              I do not foresee any changes to the tax laws to accommodate FIRE since it will be difficult (if not impossible) to distinguish between "retire early" withdrawals and "I am not retiring but want my money now" withdrawals.






              share|improve this answer




















              • I think his intent is to retire now, so it's too late to change investment strategies to build up the nest egg in non-qualified accounts.
                – Barmar
                12 mins ago










              • @Barmar I agree, my point was that these things should be considered when deciding to follow a FIRE plan.
                – D Stanley
                9 mins ago










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              3 Answers
              3






              active

              oldest

              votes








              3 Answers
              3






              active

              oldest

              votes









              active

              oldest

              votes






              active

              oldest

              votes








              up vote
              7
              down vote













              There is a provision for this. It’s called Sec 72(t) and it permits you to take annual withdrawals according to your age, for 5 years or age 59-1/2 whichever is later. Tax is due, but this avoids the 10% penalty.



              Note - while not really part of the question, you should be aware that the 401(k) withdrawal has a fixed 20% withholding for taxes. Depending on your situation, this may set you up for a large refund. Better to use the IRA for withdrawals where you can adjust the tax withheld.






              share|improve this answer


























                up vote
                7
                down vote













                There is a provision for this. It’s called Sec 72(t) and it permits you to take annual withdrawals according to your age, for 5 years or age 59-1/2 whichever is later. Tax is due, but this avoids the 10% penalty.



                Note - while not really part of the question, you should be aware that the 401(k) withdrawal has a fixed 20% withholding for taxes. Depending on your situation, this may set you up for a large refund. Better to use the IRA for withdrawals where you can adjust the tax withheld.






                share|improve this answer
























                  up vote
                  7
                  down vote










                  up vote
                  7
                  down vote









                  There is a provision for this. It’s called Sec 72(t) and it permits you to take annual withdrawals according to your age, for 5 years or age 59-1/2 whichever is later. Tax is due, but this avoids the 10% penalty.



                  Note - while not really part of the question, you should be aware that the 401(k) withdrawal has a fixed 20% withholding for taxes. Depending on your situation, this may set you up for a large refund. Better to use the IRA for withdrawals where you can adjust the tax withheld.






                  share|improve this answer














                  There is a provision for this. It’s called Sec 72(t) and it permits you to take annual withdrawals according to your age, for 5 years or age 59-1/2 whichever is later. Tax is due, but this avoids the 10% penalty.



                  Note - while not really part of the question, you should be aware that the 401(k) withdrawal has a fixed 20% withholding for taxes. Depending on your situation, this may set you up for a large refund. Better to use the IRA for withdrawals where you can adjust the tax withheld.







                  share|improve this answer














                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer








                  edited 12 mins ago

























                  answered 27 mins ago









                  JoeTaxpayer♦

                  141k21223456




                  141k21223456






















                      up vote
                      2
                      down vote













                      You are assuming that the funds saved for your retirement must all be in specific tax accounts at the outset.



                      First of all, you should be wary of the difference between your investment portfolio (ie: which stocks/bonds/etc. you invest in), and the investment 'vehicles' that you use to make those investments (ie: 401k vs IRA etc.).



                      This distinction is especially important when reading information online, which may not be based on your jurisdiction, and therefore won't incorporate the tax concerns you may be having.



                      Whether any of this matters to you will depend on how much you have already invested through 'tax deferred' vehicles (not all of which penalize you for early withdrawal).



                      If you have a specific question about your specific financial situation + goals + tax jurisdiction, you should ask that separately.






                      share|improve this answer
























                        up vote
                        2
                        down vote













                        You are assuming that the funds saved for your retirement must all be in specific tax accounts at the outset.



                        First of all, you should be wary of the difference between your investment portfolio (ie: which stocks/bonds/etc. you invest in), and the investment 'vehicles' that you use to make those investments (ie: 401k vs IRA etc.).



                        This distinction is especially important when reading information online, which may not be based on your jurisdiction, and therefore won't incorporate the tax concerns you may be having.



                        Whether any of this matters to you will depend on how much you have already invested through 'tax deferred' vehicles (not all of which penalize you for early withdrawal).



                        If you have a specific question about your specific financial situation + goals + tax jurisdiction, you should ask that separately.






                        share|improve this answer






















                          up vote
                          2
                          down vote










                          up vote
                          2
                          down vote









                          You are assuming that the funds saved for your retirement must all be in specific tax accounts at the outset.



                          First of all, you should be wary of the difference between your investment portfolio (ie: which stocks/bonds/etc. you invest in), and the investment 'vehicles' that you use to make those investments (ie: 401k vs IRA etc.).



                          This distinction is especially important when reading information online, which may not be based on your jurisdiction, and therefore won't incorporate the tax concerns you may be having.



                          Whether any of this matters to you will depend on how much you have already invested through 'tax deferred' vehicles (not all of which penalize you for early withdrawal).



                          If you have a specific question about your specific financial situation + goals + tax jurisdiction, you should ask that separately.






                          share|improve this answer












                          You are assuming that the funds saved for your retirement must all be in specific tax accounts at the outset.



                          First of all, you should be wary of the difference between your investment portfolio (ie: which stocks/bonds/etc. you invest in), and the investment 'vehicles' that you use to make those investments (ie: 401k vs IRA etc.).



                          This distinction is especially important when reading information online, which may not be based on your jurisdiction, and therefore won't incorporate the tax concerns you may be having.



                          Whether any of this matters to you will depend on how much you have already invested through 'tax deferred' vehicles (not all of which penalize you for early withdrawal).



                          If you have a specific question about your specific financial situation + goals + tax jurisdiction, you should ask that separately.







                          share|improve this answer












                          share|improve this answer



                          share|improve this answer










                          answered 44 mins ago









                          Grade 'Eh' Bacon

                          17.9k74867




                          17.9k74867




















                              up vote
                              2
                              down vote














                              How would I make withdrawals from these accounts without incurring penalties?




                              There is one piece that might be tapped without penalty, and that is your contributions to your Roth IRA. If you have had a Roth IRA for at least 5 years (starting from the first contribution to a Roth IRA) then you can withdraw your contributions without penalty. There are other cases as well (e.g. paying for secondary education expenses) so if you can just use the "retirement" funds for those activities and cash flow your actual "retirement" then you can avoid some penalties, but there's nothing specific to FIRE that avoids them.



                              However, I would say that if your goal is to "retire" before 59 1/2, then IRAs might not be the best vehicle for you. You can always contribute to other investments (real estate, non-retirement investment accounts) that do not have such restrictions.



                              I do not foresee any changes to the tax laws to accommodate FIRE since it will be difficult (if not impossible) to distinguish between "retire early" withdrawals and "I am not retiring but want my money now" withdrawals.






                              share|improve this answer




















                              • I think his intent is to retire now, so it's too late to change investment strategies to build up the nest egg in non-qualified accounts.
                                – Barmar
                                12 mins ago










                              • @Barmar I agree, my point was that these things should be considered when deciding to follow a FIRE plan.
                                – D Stanley
                                9 mins ago














                              up vote
                              2
                              down vote














                              How would I make withdrawals from these accounts without incurring penalties?




                              There is one piece that might be tapped without penalty, and that is your contributions to your Roth IRA. If you have had a Roth IRA for at least 5 years (starting from the first contribution to a Roth IRA) then you can withdraw your contributions without penalty. There are other cases as well (e.g. paying for secondary education expenses) so if you can just use the "retirement" funds for those activities and cash flow your actual "retirement" then you can avoid some penalties, but there's nothing specific to FIRE that avoids them.



                              However, I would say that if your goal is to "retire" before 59 1/2, then IRAs might not be the best vehicle for you. You can always contribute to other investments (real estate, non-retirement investment accounts) that do not have such restrictions.



                              I do not foresee any changes to the tax laws to accommodate FIRE since it will be difficult (if not impossible) to distinguish between "retire early" withdrawals and "I am not retiring but want my money now" withdrawals.






                              share|improve this answer




















                              • I think his intent is to retire now, so it's too late to change investment strategies to build up the nest egg in non-qualified accounts.
                                – Barmar
                                12 mins ago










                              • @Barmar I agree, my point was that these things should be considered when deciding to follow a FIRE plan.
                                – D Stanley
                                9 mins ago












                              up vote
                              2
                              down vote










                              up vote
                              2
                              down vote










                              How would I make withdrawals from these accounts without incurring penalties?




                              There is one piece that might be tapped without penalty, and that is your contributions to your Roth IRA. If you have had a Roth IRA for at least 5 years (starting from the first contribution to a Roth IRA) then you can withdraw your contributions without penalty. There are other cases as well (e.g. paying for secondary education expenses) so if you can just use the "retirement" funds for those activities and cash flow your actual "retirement" then you can avoid some penalties, but there's nothing specific to FIRE that avoids them.



                              However, I would say that if your goal is to "retire" before 59 1/2, then IRAs might not be the best vehicle for you. You can always contribute to other investments (real estate, non-retirement investment accounts) that do not have such restrictions.



                              I do not foresee any changes to the tax laws to accommodate FIRE since it will be difficult (if not impossible) to distinguish between "retire early" withdrawals and "I am not retiring but want my money now" withdrawals.






                              share|improve this answer













                              How would I make withdrawals from these accounts without incurring penalties?




                              There is one piece that might be tapped without penalty, and that is your contributions to your Roth IRA. If you have had a Roth IRA for at least 5 years (starting from the first contribution to a Roth IRA) then you can withdraw your contributions without penalty. There are other cases as well (e.g. paying for secondary education expenses) so if you can just use the "retirement" funds for those activities and cash flow your actual "retirement" then you can avoid some penalties, but there's nothing specific to FIRE that avoids them.



                              However, I would say that if your goal is to "retire" before 59 1/2, then IRAs might not be the best vehicle for you. You can always contribute to other investments (real estate, non-retirement investment accounts) that do not have such restrictions.



                              I do not foresee any changes to the tax laws to accommodate FIRE since it will be difficult (if not impossible) to distinguish between "retire early" withdrawals and "I am not retiring but want my money now" withdrawals.







                              share|improve this answer












                              share|improve this answer



                              share|improve this answer










                              answered 28 mins ago









                              D Stanley

                              47.4k7143153




                              47.4k7143153











                              • I think his intent is to retire now, so it's too late to change investment strategies to build up the nest egg in non-qualified accounts.
                                – Barmar
                                12 mins ago










                              • @Barmar I agree, my point was that these things should be considered when deciding to follow a FIRE plan.
                                – D Stanley
                                9 mins ago
















                              • I think his intent is to retire now, so it's too late to change investment strategies to build up the nest egg in non-qualified accounts.
                                – Barmar
                                12 mins ago










                              • @Barmar I agree, my point was that these things should be considered when deciding to follow a FIRE plan.
                                – D Stanley
                                9 mins ago















                              I think his intent is to retire now, so it's too late to change investment strategies to build up the nest egg in non-qualified accounts.
                              – Barmar
                              12 mins ago




                              I think his intent is to retire now, so it's too late to change investment strategies to build up the nest egg in non-qualified accounts.
                              – Barmar
                              12 mins ago












                              @Barmar I agree, my point was that these things should be considered when deciding to follow a FIRE plan.
                              – D Stanley
                              9 mins ago




                              @Barmar I agree, my point was that these things should be considered when deciding to follow a FIRE plan.
                              – D Stanley
                              9 mins ago










                              ewiggin is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.









                               

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