What are the consequences of early withdrawals from my retirement plans?
A. There is a 10% penalty on the taxable amount. The main exceptions that let you withdraw money early without penalty are as follows: • Qualified retirement plan distributions if you separated from service in or after the year you reach age 55 (does not apply to IRAs). • Distributions made as a part of a series of substantially equal periodic payments (made at least annually) for your life or the joint lives of you and your designated beneficiary. • Distributions due to total and permanent disability. • Distributions due to death (does not apply to modified endowment contracts) • Qualified retirement plan distributions up to (1) the amount you paid for unreimbursed medical expenses during the year minus (2) 7.5% of your adjusted gross income for the year. • IRA distributions made to unemployed individuals for health insurance premiums. • IRA distributions made for higher education expenses. • IRA distributions made for the purchase of a first home (up to $10,000). • Distributions due
