What is the rule of 55?

Asked by: Gerard Larkin  |  Last update: June 18, 2023
Score: 4.3/5 (45 votes)

The rule of 55 is an IRS guideline that allows you to avoid paying the 10% early withdrawal penalty on 401(k) and 403(b) retirement accounts if you leave your job during or after the calendar year you turn 55.

How does the 55 rule work?

Under the terms of this rule, you can withdraw funds from your current job's 401(k) or 403(b) plan with no 10% tax penalty if you leave that job in or after the year you turn 55. (Qualified public safety workers can start even earlier, at 50.) It doesn't matter whether you were laid off, fired, or just quit.

How do I know if my 401k allows rule of 55?

To use the rule of 55, you'll need to:
  1. Be at least age 55 or older.
  2. Have a 401(k) or 403(b) that allows rule of 55 withdrawals.
  3. Have left your employer voluntarily or involuntarily in the year you turn 55 or later.
  4. Leave your funds in an active 401(k) or 403(b) plan.

What is the rule of 55 IRS?

The rule of 55 is an IRS provision that allows workers who leave their job for any reason to start taking penalty-free distributions from their current employer's retirement plan once they've reached age 55.

Can I withdraw from my 401k at 55 without penalty?

If you are between ages 55 and 59 1/2 and get laid off or fired or quit your job, the IRS rule of 55 lets you pull money out of your 401(k) or 403(b) plan without penalty. 1 It applies to workers who leave their jobs anytime during or after the year of their 55th birthday.

What is the Rule of 55?

21 related questions found

Can I use the rule of 55 if I get another job?

You're allowed to return to part-time or full-time work at another company while continuing to withdraw penalty-free. Once you start using the Rule of 55 to take money out of your most recent 401(k), you're allowed to start working again.

Can I retire at 55 and collect Social Security?

Can you retire at 55 to receive Social Security? Unfortunately, the answer is no. The earliest age you can begin receiving Social Security retirement benefits is 62.

How much money should you have to retire at 55?

Experts say to have at least seven times your salary saved at age 55. That means if you make $55,000 a year, you should have at least $385,000 saved for retirement. Keep in mind that life is unpredictable–economic factors, medical care, and how long you live will also impact your retirement expenses.

At what age is 401k withdrawal tax free?

After you become 59 ½ years old, you can take your money out without needing to pay an early withdrawal penalty. You can choose a traditional or a Roth 401(k) plan. Traditional 401(k)s offer tax-deferred savings, but you'll still have to pay taxes when you take the money out.

How can I get my 401k money without paying taxes?

The easiest way to borrow from your 401(k) without owing any taxes is to roll over the funds into a new retirement account. You may do this when, for instance, you leave a job and are moving funds from your former employer's 401(k) plan into one sponsored by your new employer.

At what age can you take money out of your 401k and not be penalized?

The Rule of 55 is an IRS provision that allows you to withdraw funds from your 401(k) or 403(b) without a penalty at age 55 or older.

Is the early withdrawal penalty waived for 2022?

401(k) and IRA Withdrawals for COVID Reasons

Section 2022 of the CARES Act allows people to take up to $100,000 out of a retirement plan without incurring the 10% penalty. This includes both workplace plans, like a 401(k) or 403(b), and individual plans, like an IRA.

How can I retire early without penalty?

One option for taking early distributions from a traditional IRA or for taking non-qualified Roth IRA distributions is to use the IRS's section 72(t)(2) rule, which allows retirement account holders to avoid paying the 10 percent penalty by taking a series of substantially equal periodic payments (SEPPs) for five years ...

How do you avoid penalty on 401k withdrawal?

Here's how to avoid 401(k) fees and penalties:
  1. Avoid the 401(k) early withdrawal penalty.
  2. Shop around for low-cost funds.
  3. Read your 401(k) fee disclosure statement.
  4. Don't leave a job before you vest in the 401(k) plan.
  5. Directly roll over your 401(k) to a new account.
  6. Compare 401(k) loans to other borrowing options.

What is the age 55 exception to the 10% penalty?

Answer: The age 55 exception is one of the exceptions to the 10% early distribution penalty for retirement plan distributions taken prior to 59 1/2. It allows certain individuals to take distributions from their retirement plans at 55 or later (instead of 59 ½) without being subject to the 10% penalty.

What benefits do you get at age 55?

Here's how getting older can save you money:
  • Senior discounts.
  • Travel deals.
  • Tax deductions for seniors.
  • Bigger retirement account limits.
  • No more early withdrawal penalty.
  • Social Security payments.
  • Affordable health insurance.
  • Senior services.

At what age can you retire?

The full retirement age is 66 if you were born from 1943 to 1954. The full retirement age increases gradually if you were born from 1955 to 1960, until it reaches 67. For anyone born 1960 or later, full retirement benefits are payable at age 67.

How much taxes will I pay if I withdraw my 401k?

If you remove funds from your 401(k) before you turn age 59 1⁄2 , you will get hit with a penalty tax of 10% on top of the taxes you will owe to the IRS.

How much of my 401k will I get if I cash out?

Here's how much you can get if you choose to cash out your 401(k): Traditional 401(k) (age 59.5+): You'll get 100% of the balance, minus state and federal taxes. Roth 401(k) (age 59.5+): You'll get 100% of your balance, without taxation.

Which states do not tax 401k distributions?

A lack of tax

Nine of those states that don't tax retirement plan income simply because distributions from retirement plans are considered income, and these nine states have no state income taxes at all: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming.

What is a good monthly retirement income?

But if you can supplement your retirement income with other savings or sources of income, then $6,000 a month could be a good starting point for a comfortable retirement.

How much does the average retired person live on per month?

Average Retirement Expenses by Category. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, an American household headed by someone aged 65 and older spent an average of $48,791 per year, or $4,065.95 per month, between 2016 and 2020.

How much Social Security will I get if I make $25000 a year?

So, if you have a part-time job that pays $25,000 a year — $5,440 over the limit — Social Security will deduct $2,720 in benefits. Suppose you will reach full retirement age in 2022.

Is Social Security based on the last 5 years of work?

A: Your Social Security payment is based on your best 35 years of work. And, whether we like it or not, if you don't have 35 years of work, the Social Security Administration (SSA) still uses 35 years and posts zeros for the missing years, says Andy Landis, author of Social Security: The Inside Story, 2016 Edition.

How many years do you have to work to get maximum Social Security?

Qualifying for Social Security in the first place requires 40 work credits or approximately 10 years of work. 2 To be eligible to receive the maximum benefit, you need to earn Social Security's maximum taxable income for 35 years.