55岁从IRA拿钱出来有10%罚款， 除非几个情况

The hard truth first

IRAs do NOT have a general age-55 rule.
If you withdraw from an IRA at 55, you normally owe:

• 10% early-withdrawal penalty

• + income tax (for traditional IRA)

That’s the default.

But — there are ways to get money at 55 without the 10% penalty

Option 1: SEPP / Rule 72(t) — most common

This is the main legal workaround for IRAs.

• You take Substantially Equal Periodic Payments (SEPP)

• Payments must:

  • Be calculated using IRS formulas

  • Continue for at least 5 years OR until age 59½, whichever is longer

• Once started, you cannot change or stop without triggering penalties retroactively

Example
Start at 55 → must continue until 60 (5 years beats 59½)

No 10% penalty
Still pay income tax
Very rigid — little flexibility

Option 2: Roth IRA contributions (if applicable)

If you have a Roth IRA:

• Your original contributions (not earnings) can be withdrawn anytime, at any age

• No penalty, no tax

Earnings are different — those still get penalized before 59½ unless an exception applies.

Option 3: Specific exceptions (situational)

Penalty may be waived for:

• Disability

• Certain large medical expenses

• Health insurance premiums while unemployed

• First-time home purchase (up to $10,000 lifetime)

These are narrow and usually not ideal for early retirement income.

Important confusion to avoid

You might hear about the “Rule of 55” — that applies to 401(k)s, not IRAs.

• If you leave your job in the year you turn 55

• You can withdraw from that employer’s 401(k) penalty-free

• But once you roll it into an IRA, that rule is gone

Bottom line

If your goal is living off retirement money at 55:

• Best IRA-only path → SEPP (72(t))

• Best overall strategy → use Rule of 55 with a 401(k) before rolling to an IRA

• Roth contributions help a lot if you have them

If you want, tell me:

• Is your money in a Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, or 401(k)?

• Are you planning early retirement at 55, or just a one-time withdrawal?

I can help you design a clean, low-penalty plan instead of an expensive mistake