Editor’s note: This article is part 10 of a series on how to retire early and the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement. Part one is How to Retire Early in Seven Steps. To see all early retirement articles, jump to the end.
The road to early retirement is filled with challenges, and for many, the final boss in this quest is the IRS. Break its rules, and you’ll face penalties, particularly if you tap into retirement accounts before age 59 ½. While taxes are unavoidable, the IRS adds a hefty 10% penalty if you withdraw early.
But what if you’re ahead of the game and ready to retire sooner?
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
One way to dodge this hurdle is the Substantially Equal Periodic Payments (SEPP) strategy, better known by its IRS code: 72(t). What sounds like a trigonometry calculator is actually a potential tool for accessing retirement funds penalty-free.
SEPP can be a lifeline for those aiming to retire in their 40s or 50s – a goal for many in the FIRE (financial independence, retire early) movement. But, as its jargon-heavy name suggests, the 72(t) rule has complexities you’ll need to understand to stay clear of the tax man’s crosshairs.
Why SEPP 72(t) is an early retirement hack
The 72(t) rule allows penalty-free withdrawals from an IRA or 401(k) at any age if you follow a structured payment plan for at least five years or until you turn 59 ½, whichever is longer. For example, if you start at age 49 ½, you’ll need to continue withdrawals for 10 years to meet the rule.
Withdrawals are calculated using one of three IRS-approved methods: required minimum distribution (RMD), fixed amortization or fixed annuitization.
“Each method results in a different payment amount,” says JJ Burns, CFP® and founder of JJ Burns & Company. “Think about which method fits your needs and stability.”
Generally, once you choose a method, you’re locked in. However, Burns notes there is an option to make a one-time switch to the RMD method using IRS life expectancy tables.
“People usually opt for the method that allows the most money to come out without depleting the account before 59 ½,” says Jeremy Shipp, CFP® and founder of Retirement Capital Planners.
While not subject to early withdrawal penalties, withdrawals are still subject to regular income taxes.
Drawbacks of the SEPP 72(t) rule
Like a one-way street, SEPP offers little chance to reverse course.
“Once you’ve committed, you have to stick with it,” explains Burns. “Stopping or changing the payments triggers retroactive penalties on everything you’ve taken out so far.”
This inflexibility can be challenging if the market dips or if personal circumstances change. “If the market drops, you still have to withdraw those funds,” Shipp points out, exposing you to the sequence of returns risk. Even if you return to work, SEPP payments must continue unless you’re prepared to face penalties.
Another drawback is that SEPP payments could push you into a higher tax bracket, eating into your savings more than expected. And if the IRS has questions, you’ll need documentation to show you’ve followed the rules correctly.
For these reasons, Shipp warns that SEPP can be risky without professional guidance. “People risk getting in trouble if they don’t use a professional to help manage this and ensure compliance,” he cautions.
Using the 72(t) Rule for Early Retirement
Despite these drawbacks, SEPP can provide a steady income stream to bridge the gap between now and full retirement age. But there’s no single, right way.
For example, Burns shared the story of Linda, who bought Apple stock in her IRA in her 30s and saw her $100,000 investment grow to over $1 million by her early 50s. Ready for early retirement, Linda used SEPP to access her IRA without penalties. This provided a steady income and kept tax-deferred growth in her IRA while helping her avoid capital gains taxes that would have been incurred by moving those shares into a brokerage account.
In another case, Shipp helped a client who wanted the flexibility to retire early move funds from a 401(k) to a tax-efficient life insurance policy. Using SEPP payments to fund the policy allowed him to build cash value without the restrictions of an IRA. Now, he has penalty-free access to these funds whenever he decides to retire, thanks to the life insurance policy’s living benefits.
Burns emphasizes that the 72(t) rule’s effectiveness depends on individual circumstances. “What may be good for one person may be negative for another,” he says.
Other early retirement withdrawal options
While SEPP can work, it’s typically not the first strategy to consider.
“SEPP is best suited for people who already have a large nest egg and are completely dedicated to early retirement,” says Burns. “If you’re relying on it because you don’t have other assets to draw from, that might be a red flag.”
Roth conversion
Those with both traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs may consider a Roth conversion, which allows for tax-free withdrawals after five years, providing more flexibility and lower tax burdens. Similarly, using taxable accounts for early retirement can help avoid SEPP’s rigid rules and allow penalty-free withdrawals.
Rule of 55
If you left your job in or after the year you turned 55, you may also be able to withdraw retirement funds without the 10% tax penalty. Known as the rule of 55, this strategy is particularly useful for individuals who are closer to 59½, since they will have less years to fund through withdrawals. Before you tap your 401(k) under the rule of 55, be sure to contact your plan custodian to confirm the company has correctly documented the date you left your job and to double check your plan's withdrawal rules.
To SEPP or not to SEPP, that is the question
The fact is, the traditional retirement system hasn’t adapted to the growing trend of active or phased retirements. Many people today want to work or pursue passions on their own terms rather than follow a conventional retirement path. This new approach often requires unconventional withdrawal strategies.
“The 72(t) rule is one nontraditional way to access funds from the traditional retirement account system without a hefty tax penalty,” Shipp explains.
Whether it’s the IRS or healthcare, early retirees will face similar challenges, but for now, they’ll have to blaze their own path.
Read More About Early Retirement
- How to Retire Early in Seven Steps
- How to Retire at 40
- How to Retire at 50 or 55
- Retire Early for Adventure: Go Travel and Volunteer
- Will Retiring Early Make You Happier? It's Complicated
- Early Retirement Withdrawal Strategies for the Long Haul
- Five Early Retirement Mistakes to Avoid
- The Rule of 55: One Way to Fund Early Retirement
- A Sabbatical May Be a Smarter Move Than Early Retirement
- How to Retire Early Due to Disability or Caretaking
-
I'm 54 with a $320,000 IRA and will soon be self-employed, earning about $120,000 per year. How much should I be saving for retirement?We asked financial experts for advice.
-
This High-Performance Investment Vehicle Can Pump Up WealthLeave online real estate investing to the beginners. Accredited investors who want real growth need the wealth-building potential of Delaware statutory trusts.
-
I'm 54 with a $320,000 IRA and will soon be self-employed, earning $120,000 per year. How much should I save for retirement?
We asked financial experts for advice.
-
These Eight Tips From a Retirement Expert Can Help to Make Your Money Last Through RetirementAre you worried you will outlive your money? Considering these eight tips could go a long way toward ensuring your retirement money lasts as long as you do.
-
I'm an Investment Adviser: This Is the Retirement Phase Nobody Talks AboutWhat you do in the five years before retirement and the first 10 afterward can establish how comfortable you'll be for the rest of your life.
-
Medicare Premiums 2026: IRMAA Brackets and Surcharges for Parts B and DWill you have to pay the monthly Medicare premium surcharge next year? It depends.
-
You Don't Need a Billion to Retire in the Hamptons: Finding the Right Town for Your BudgetYes, it's favored by the rich and famous, but retiring in the Hamptons may not be out of your league. Here's a guide to affordability and and who is happiest living there.
-
Is Fear That Social Security Will Run Out of Money Hurting You?Bipartisan collaboration on a mix of reforms will likely be needed to keep the system solvent and benefits intact.
-
Gen X Turns 60: It's Time to Remix Your Retirement PlaylistIf you want a worry-free retirement, you can't keep playing the same old song. You need to freshen up your financial strategies, as well as your music.
-
I'm a Financial Adviser: Here's How a Three-Part Retirement 'Crash Plan' Can Prepare You for Market TurbulenceHaving a plan ready to go when markets get wild — covering how you'll handle income, rebalancing and taxes — can be the ultimate retirement secret weapon.
