Roth IRA Withdrawal Rules

You can withdraw Roth IRA contributions at any time, but often you can't withdraw earnings without penalty for five years.
June Sham
Arielle O'Shea
By Arielle O'Shea and  June Sham 
Updated
Edited by Chris Hutchison

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.


The investing information provided on this page is for educational purposes only. NerdWallet, Inc. does not offer advisory or brokerage services, nor does it recommend or advise investors to buy or sell particular stocks, securities or other investments.

For the most part, taking money out of a Roth IRA is more flexible than a 401(k) plan or even a traditional IRA. When it comes to Roth IRA withdrawals, contributions — money you've put into the account — can be taken out at any time without penalty because you've already paid taxes on them.

Withdrawing investment earnings, on the other hand, could trigger a 10% penalty. Some reasons include:

  • If you withdraw investment earnings before 59 ½.

  • If you withdraw earnings before the five-year holding period is over.

  • If you withdraw earnings for reasons other than the specified exceptions, such as buying a home for the first time, college costs, and more.

When can you withdraw from a Roth IRA?

You can withdraw your Roth IRA contributions at any time without penalty. But you can only pull the earnings out of a Roth IRA after age 59 1/2 and after owning the account for at least five years. Withdrawing that money earlier can trigger taxes and a 10% early withdrawal penalty, though there are exceptions that are outlined below.

» Ready to get started? See our picks for best Roth IRA accounts

AD

Get a custom financial plan and unlimited access to a Certified Financial Planner™

Custom financial plan tailored to your situation and goals
Access to a Certified Financial Planner™ via calls or messaging
Unbiased, expert financial advice for a low price.
CHAT WITH AN ADVISOR

NerdWallet Advisory LLC

Roth IRA withdrawal rules

If you're younger than 59½ and the account is less than 5 years old

Generally you’ll owe income taxes and a 10% penalty if you withdraw earnings from your account if you've owned it for less than five years. You can avoid the penalty, but not the income taxes, if you meet one of the following exceptions:

  • You're withdrawing up to $10,000 to buy your first home.

  • You're withdrawing up to $5,000 in the year after the birth or adoption of your child.

  • The withdrawal is for qualified education expenses.

  • The withdrawal is for unreimbursed medical expenses in excess of 7.5% of your adjusted gross income for the year.

  • The withdrawal is for health insurance premiums while you're unemployed.

  • The withdrawal is due to disability.

  • The withdrawal is made to a beneficiary or your estate after your death.

  • You decide to take substantially equal payments, which basically locks you into taking at least one distribution per year for at least five years or until you turn 59½, whichever comes last.

  • The withdrawal is due to an IRS levy

  • You made the withdrawal when you were a reservist, as defined by the IRS.

If you're younger than 59½ and the account is at least 5 years old

You can avoid taxes and penalties on earnings withdrawn from your Roth IRA if you've owned the account for five years or more and you meet one of the following exceptions.

  • You're withdrawing up to $10,000 to buy your first home.

  • The withdrawal is due to disability.

  • The withdrawal is made to a beneficiary or your estate after your death.

Advertisement
NerdWallet rating 

4.9

/5
NerdWallet rating 

5.0

/5
NerdWallet rating 

4.1

/5

Fees 

$0

per online equity trade

Fees 

$0

per trade

Fees 

$0

per trade

Account minimum 

$0

Account minimum 

$0

Account minimum 

$0

Promotion 

None

no promotion available at this time

Promotion 

None

no promotion available at this time

Promotion 

Get up to $700

when you open and fund a J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing account with qualifying new money.

If you’re 59½ or older and the account is less than 5 years old

If you’ve owned a Roth IRA for less than five years, you’ll owe income tax but no penalty on earnings that you withdraw.

If you're 59½ or older and the account is at least 5 years old

You can withdraw both earnings and contributions with no tax or penalty.

What's next?

» Dive deeper: Learn how to open a Roth IRA

Track your finances all in one place
Find ways to save more by tracking your income and net worth on NerdWallet.
AD
Robinhood
NerdWallet rating 

on Robinhood's website

Get more smart money moves – straight to your inbox
Sign up and we’ll send you Nerdy articles about the money topics that matter most to you along with other ways to help you get more from your money.
Nerdwallet advisors logo

Get a custom financial plan and unlimited access to a Certified Financial Planner™. Unbiased, expert financial advice for a low price.

    NerdWallet Advisory LLC

    AD