Photo: Erik Mclean

What is 401k Rule 72?

What Is Rule 72(t)? Rule 72(t) allows penalty-free withdrawals from IRA accounts and other tax-advantaged retirement accounts like 401(k) and 403(b) plans. It is issued by the Internal Revenue Service.

investopedia.com - Rule of 72(t): Definition, Calculation, and Example - Investopedia

How close to a boundary Can a shed be?

Maybe your shed is too close to the fence, leaving you with no room to get around it. Sounds dreadful, right? With that in mind, experts recommend...

Last updated Nov 22, 2018

What is a 1 to 12 slope?

1:12 slope ratio (ADA Recommended) means that for every inch of rise, you will need one foot of ramp. As an example, a 12 inch rise would require a...

Last updated Sep 12, 2022

Promotion

What Is Rule 72(t)?

Rule 72(t) allows penalty-free withdrawals from IRA accounts and other tax-advantaged retirement accounts like 401(k) and 403(b) plans. It is issued by the Internal Revenue Service. This rule allows account holders to benefit from their retirement savings before retirement age through early withdrawal without the otherwise required 10% penalty. The IRS still subjects the withdrawals to the account holder’s normal income tax rate. Key Takeaways Rule 72(t) allows you to take penalty-free early withdrawals from your IRA. There are other IRS exemptions that can be used for medical expenses, purchasing a home, and so on. Rule 72(t) withdrawals should be considered a last resort when all other options for reducing financial pressure (creditor negotiation, consolidation, bankruptcy, etc.) have been exhausted.

Understanding Rule 72(t)

Rule 72(t) actually refers to code 72(t), section 2, which specifies exceptions to the early-withdrawal tax that allow IRA owners to withdraw funds from their retirement account before age 59½, as long as certain qualifications, known as SEPP regulations, are met. To take advantage of this rule, the owner of the retirement account must take at least five substantially equal periodic payments (SEPPs). The amount of the payments depends on the owner’s life expectancy as calculated through IRS-approved methods. You must also withdraw these funds according to a specific schedule, and the IRS offers three different methods for calculating your specific withdrawal schedule. You must adhere to the payment schedule for five years or until you reach age 59 1/2, whichever comes later (unless you are disabled or die).

Calculation for Payment Amounts Under Rule 72(t)

The amounts an account holder receives in the periodic payments enabled by rule 72(t) depend on life expectancy, which can be calculated through one of three IRS-approved methods:

The amortization method

The minimum distribution (or the life expectancy method)

The annuitization method

The amortization method determines yearly payment amounts by amortizing the balance of an IRA owner’s account over single or joint life expectancy. This method develops the largest and most reasonable amount an individual can remove, and the amount is fixed annually. The minimum distribution method takes a dividing factor from the IRS’s single or joint life expectancy table, using it to divide the retirement account’s balance. This method is nearly the opposite of the amortization method, as the annual early withdrawal payments are likely to vary from year to year, though not substantially. The key difference between this method and the amortization method is the resulting payments with the minimum distribution method, as the name implies, are the lowest possible amounts that can be withdrawn.

Are plastic windows cheaper than glass?

Acrylic windows are less expensive to manufacture than glass windows, and their light weight makes them inexpensive to ship, store and install....

Last updated Mar 24, 2018

Do millionaires get Social Security benefits?

Although to some degree it might seem as if billionaires and millionaires in the U.S. shouldn't be collecting Social Security, the truth is there...

Last updated Aug 28, 2019

Can I build my own shed?

Yes, with the right plans you can build your dream shed.

Learn More »

Promotion

The final IRS-approved calculation is the annuitization method, which uses an annuity factor method provided by the IRS to determine equivalent or nearly equivalent payments in accordance with the SEPP regulation. This method offers account holders a fixed annual payout, with the amount typically falling somewhere between the highest and lowest amount the account owner can withdraw.

Example of Withdrawing Money Early

As an example, assume a 53-year-old woman who has an IRA earning 1.5% annually with a balance of $250,000 wishes to withdraw money early under rule 72(t). Using the amortization method, the woman would receive approximately $10,042 in yearly payments. With the minimum distribution method, she would receive around $7,962 annually over a five-year period. Using the annuitization method, approximately $9,976 would be her annual payment amount.

Cautions About Using Rule 72(t)

Withdrawing money from a retirement account is a financial last resort. This is why the IRS has exceptions for specific circumstances like disability and illness. If you do not meet any of the criteria for other exceptions, then rule 72(t) can be used if you have exhausted all other avenues. It should not be used as an emergency fund strategy, as any withdrawals could affect your future financial stability significantly.

investopedia.com - Rule of 72(t): Definition, Calculation, and Example - Investopedia

Is OSB OK in the rain?

Can OSB Board Get Wet? Oriented strand board is water-resistant and will withstand 3 to 4 weeks of moisture during normal construction delays. Some...

Last updated Feb 28, 2021

What is a good size garden shed?

Generally speaking, a 12-foot-by-12-foot shed will suit a large yard, while an 8-foot-by-10-foot one is better for a medium-size yard. In selecting...

Last updated Nov 22, 2019