IRA Distributions

December 26th, 2008

IRA distribution rules concern how an IRA owner can withdraw funds from his or her IRA. An individual retirement account allows individuals to accumulate funds tax free or tax deferred. The IRA rules are very favorable for people to save money for retirement. However, emergencies happen and many people need access to the funds in their retirement accounts before they retire. Most people pay attention to all the IRA rules going into the IRA accounts, but they are unsure about what taxes and penalties there are when it comes to taking money out of an IRA prematurely, under the current IRA distribution rules.

IRA Distributions Rules for Traditional IRA, SEP IRA, and SIMPLE IRA

Under the distribution section of the Ira Rules, an owner of a Traditional IRA individual retirement account, SEP IRA account, or SIMPLE IRA account may distribute assets from his or her IRA account at anytime. The taxable portion of the IRA distributions will be subject to ordinary income tax.

Additionally, the IRA owner may be subject to a 10% premature distributions penalty* if he or she is under age 59 � and does not qualify for one of the Life Event Exceptions, under current Ira Rules.

Ira Distribution Rules for Premature IRA Distributions (Under age 59 �)

If an IRA owner elects to take IRA distributions from the IRA individual retirement plan before age 59 �, the tax code as specified by Ira Rules may impose ordinary income tax, plus a 10% premature distributions penalty* against the taxable amount distributed.

Ira Distribution Rules Exceptions

However, Ira Rules allows for some exceptions. IRA assets may be distributed before reaching age 59½ without the 10% premature distributions penalty, if it is used for one of the following Life Event Exceptions:

Purchase of a first home, up to $10,000 lifetime maximum

Payment of health insurance premiums during long-term periods of unemployment

Medical Expenses that exceed 7.5% of A.G.I.

Qualified Higher Education Expenses

Substantially Equal Payments Under Section 72(t)

Disability

Death

*If a SIMPLE IRA owner distributes assets from his or her SIMPLE IRA before having participated in the plan for at least two years, the premature distributions penalty will be 25%, unless one of the Life Events listed above applies.

Ira Distribution Rules for Normal IRA Distributions (Over age 59 �)

Under the current Ira Distribution Rules, IRA distributions are penalty-free and can be made for any reason at retirement age. The only exception to this Ira Rule applies to IRA owners who have not completed a 72(t) payment schedule. The taxable portion of the IRA owner’s distribution may be subject to ordinary income tax.

IRA Rules