Traditional IRA Withdrawal Rules

If you take money from your traditional IRA before age 59½, you'll face penalties. But there are exceptions if you follow the IRA distribution rules.

Updated May 17, 2024 · 4 min read Written by Arielle O'Shea Lead Assigning Editor

Arielle O'Shea
Lead Assigning Editor | Retirement planning, investment management, investment accounts

Arielle O’Shea leads the investing and taxes team at NerdWallet. She has covered personal finance and investing for over 15 years, and was a senior writer and spokesperson at NerdWallet before becoming an assigning editor. Previously, she was a researcher and reporter for leading personal finance journalist and author Jean Chatzky, a role that included developing financial education programs, interviewing subject matter experts and helping to produce television and radio segments. Arielle has appeared on the "Today" show, NBC News and ABC's "World News Tonight," and has been quoted in national publications including The New York Times, MarketWatch and Bloomberg News. She is based in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Reviewed by Tiffany Kent Certified financial planner

Tiffany Kent
Certified financial planner | investing, investment banking, portfolio management

Tiffany Kent is the founding partner of Wealth Engagement LLC, a registered investment advisory firm that specializes in helping women become more knowledgeable and proactive in growing and protecting their wealth. Kent is also the author of a book called “Investing for the Smarter Sex, Wealth Building Tips and Secrets Sophisticated Women Know (But Wall Street Won't Tell You),” which shows women how to create a financial blueprint, begin investing, and make the most out of their money. Kent is a former financial advisor at Bernstein Private Wealth Management. Before Bernstein, Tiffany constructed client portfolios and worked as an analyst, portfolio manager, and partner at several investment management firms. She started her career in investment banking at Goldman Sachs. She is a certified financial planner.

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Lead Assigning Editor Chris Hutchison
Lead Assigning Editor

Chris Hutchison helped build NerdWallet's content operation and has worked across banking, investing and taxes. He now leads a team exploring new markets. Before joining NerdWallet, he was an editor and programmer at ESPN and a copy editor at the San Jose Mercury News.

Fact Checked Co-written by Andrea Coombes

Andrea Coombes
Writer | Personal finance reporter for 16+ years, including work for the Wall Street Journal and MarketWatch.

Andrea is a former NerdWallet authority on retirement and investing. Her stories have appeared in The Wall Street Journal, the SanFrancisco Chronicle, MarketWatch and elsewhere. She has been interviewed onTV and radio, including NPR’s “All Things Considered,” and quoted by national publications such as Fortune, Time and CNBC.