IRAs vs. 401(k)s: Exceptions to 10% Penalty for Withdrawals Under Age 59½ Differ

There is a lot of confusion surrounding the 10% penalty that the IRS imposes on early distributions from retirement plans. Most people know that this penalty exists for those who withdraw tax-deferred retirement funds before age 59½, though many don’t realize it is on top of whatever your current tax rate is.

Many people also have heard that there are exceptions to the 10% penalty, though they almost never fully understand what those exceptions are and when they are applied.

Today we will explain when and where these exceptions to early withdrawal penalties are applied by breaking down distributions into three different groups: traditional IRAs, retirement plans other than IRAs, and finally a group that includes both IRAs and retirement plans.

Exceptions to 10% penalty – for IRAs only

The exceptions to the penalty for traditional IRAs are the ones most people have heard of, but they often assume they apply to any type of plan, which isn’t necessarily the case. The following exceptions are strictly limited to traditional IRAs. These exceptions don’t apply to 401(k)s, 403(b)s or other tax-deferred retirement plans:

1. A first-time home purchase – up to $10,000 can be withdrawn for a down payment by a first-time homebuyer (and if your spouse also has an IRA and qualifies as a first-time homebuyer, they can withdraw up to $10,000 for the purchase as well).
2. Buying health insurance – if you have lost your job and collect unemployment for at least 12 consecutive weeks.
3. Paying for higher education expenses – for yourself, a spouse, kids or grandkids.

Exceptions to the 10% penalty – for 401(k)s and similar retirement plans

Qualified retirement plans, such as 401(k)s, 403(b)s, profit-sharing plans and Keogh plans, offer a few more options for avoiding the 10% early withdrawal penalty than IRAs do, including:

1. Division of retirement account assets in a divorce under a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO).
2. Distributions from 457(b) government plans, except for distributions attributable to rollovers from another type of plan or IRA.
3. Distributions for those 50 or older for public safety employees separating from service.
4. Distributions for those 55 or older in other fields who are separating from service.
5. Distributions from “phased” federal plans. A phased retirement option allows employees at or near retirement age to reduce their work hours to part time, receive benefits and continue to earn additional funds.

Exceptions that apply to BOTH IRAs and 401(k)s

Some exceptions can apply to both IRAs as well as retirement plans, and they include:

1. Qualified reservists – called to active duty for at least 179 days, or for an indefinite period because you are a reserve member.
2. Disability – must meet the IRS definition of total and permanent disability and have documentation from a doctor.
3. Death of the account owner.
4. IRS tax levy – you wouldn’t owe a penalty if the IRS draws on your account to collect unpaid federal taxes. However, if you take an early withdrawal to pay a tax bill yourself, the exception does not apply and you would be hit with the 10% penalty.
5. Medical expenses (to the extent they exceed 10% of your adjusted gross income).
6. Adoptions or birth of a child – up to $5,000 in withdrawals can be penalty free in the first year.
7. Substantially equal payments (aka the 72(t) exception). This is when you take your balance distributions over substantially equal payments. Warning, 72(t) might seem like a great idea, but I have seen countless times when this plan has gone wrong. If it is done wrong, the entire balance of the account is immediately taxable, including the10% penalty if you are under age 59½. Do not consider this option until you discuss with your CPA and adviser.

These are the majority of the exceptions, and they only apply as listed. You can’t interchange them, or you will be subject to the under age 59½ penalty.