Under certain conditions, you can withdraw money from your IRA without penalty. The rules vary depending on the type of IRA you have. Generally, for a traditional IRA, distributions prior to age 59½ are subject to a 10% penalty in addition to federal and state taxes unless an exception applies. Starting at age 59½, you can begin taking money out of your IRA without penalty, but you will still be responsible for taxes that might be due. Per the SECURE Act of 2019, as of 1/1/2020, upon birth or adoption of a child, an IRA owner may withdraw up to $5,000 penalty-free from any type of defined contribution plan or a traditional IRA. Such distributions may also be repaid.2
Starting at age 73, required minimum distributions (RMDs) begin—you can calculate how much you will be required to take using this RMD Calculator. You can also log in to review RMD amounts for your Fidelity IRAs (traditional IRAs, SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs, Rollover IRAs, and all small-business retirement plans). Our system also keeps track of all withdrawals and allows you to set up automated distributions. Learn more about planning your retirement distributions.2
For a Roth IRA, you can take a penalty-free, federal tax-free distribution of contributions at any time. Provided you have met the five-year aging requirement and one of the following conditions, you may also take a tax-free and penalty-free distribution of earnings:
- Over age 59½
- Death or disability
- First-time home purchase
Note: There are no RMDs for Roth IRAs during the lifetime of the original owner. Please review
Withdrawing From Your IRA for more information.