Early Withdrawal (Pre 59-½) Penalty Tax Exceptions and Annuities
This is a quick reference guide to possible exceptions to the 10% additional penalty tax on pre-59½ distributions from Qualified Plans, IRA's and non-qualified deferred annuities. You are strongly advised to consult with proper tax and legal professionals before taking any action.
Qualified Plan Distributions
IRS Publication 575 (Pensions and Annuity Income) defines a qualified plan as one of the following:
- (a) Qualified employee retirement plan [including qualified cash or deferred arrangements (CODA's) under section 401(k)
- (b) A qualified annuity plan
- (c) A tax sheltered annuity plan for employees of public schools or tax-exempt organizations
- (d) An individual retirement arrangement (IRA)
If payments begin from a qualified plan after an employee has separated from service [IRC Section 72(t)(3)(B)] then the 10% penalty does not apply if the distributions are either:
- Part of a series of substantially equal periodic payments ("SEPPs") not less frequently than annually, made for the life or life expectancy of the employee or the joint lives (or joint life expectancies) of such employees and his designated beneficiary [IRC Section 72(t)(2)(iv)]. The Payments under this exception must continue for at least 5 years or until taxpayer reaches age 59½, whichever is the longer period. If the payments under this exception are changed before the end of the required periods for any reason other than the death or disability of the owner, he or she will be subject to the 10% additional tax.
- Made after separation from service if separation occurred during or after the calendar year in which taxpayer attained age 55
- Paid to alternate payees under a qualified domestic relations order (QDROs)
- Paid to taxpayer to the extent there are deductible expenses for medical care (the amount that exceed 7½% of AGI), whether or not deductions are itemized
- Paid on account of death or total and permanent disability
IRA Distributions
Pre-59½ distributions from an IRA can avoid a 10% penalty tax if they are:
- Received under the "SEPP" exception as described earlier
- Paid to the IRA owner's total and permanent disability
- Paid to a beneficiary or to the IRA owner's estate after the death of the IRA owner
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Non-Qualified Annuity Distributions
Pre-59½ distributions from a non-qualified annuity may be excepted from a penalty when they are paid under an immediate annuity contract. Immediate annuity is defined per IRC Section 72(u)(4) as purchased with a single premium or annuity consideration, the annuity starting date commences no later than 1 year the date of the purchase of the annuity, and it provides for a -series of substantially equal periodic payments (to be made not less frequently than annually) during the annuity period.
(Note: Rev. Rul. 92-95, 1992-2 CB43. Where a deferred annuity contract was exchanged for an immediate annuity contract, the purchase date of the new contract for purposes of the 10% penalty tax was considered to be the date the previous deferred annuity was purchased. Thus, payments from the replacement contract did not fall within the immediate annuity exception to the penalty tax.)
Other non-qualified annuity exceptions are for distribution which are either:
- Allocable to the cost or basis portion of a deferred annuity contract issued before August 14, 1982
- Paid from an annuity contract under a qualified personal injury settlement (so called "structured settlement")
- Paid under a deferred annuity contract purchased by an employer upon the termination of a qualified employee retirement plan or qualified annuity and that is held by the employer until the taxpayer separates from the service of the employer
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Comments (5)
Eric
2015-05-28 12:15:12
Just to clarify:
If my client is 50 years old and wanted to fund a SPIA (non-qualified) with $50,000 (cash)for a payout of 48 months (4 year period certain only), this will not incur the 10% tax penalty? Or is there still a period certain time frame to consider?
Thanks!
Hersh Stern (ImmediateAnnuities.com)
2015-05-28 12:17:49
Hi Eric-
The 10% federal tax penalty on pre-59-1/2 distributions is imposed when the account from which the money is withdrawn had previously been favored with income tax deferral. In that case, the IRS exempts certain distributions from the penalty tax if the account that is making the distributions is a lifetime immediate annuity. The exemption would not apply if the distribution came from a period certain annuity.
However, what you're describing was NOT money originating in a tax deferred account (e.g., an IRA, 401k, or non-qualified ANNUITY) but simply an account with after-tax savings that is being used to buy a period certain annuity. No 10% tax-penalty applies.
You can read more about annuity taxation here:
https://www.immediateannuities.com/taxation-of-annuities/
Hersh
Eric
2015-05-28 12:47:30
Thanks Hersh!
Perfect explanation.
Mark
2024-09-05 06:26:38
I'm not 59 1/2 yet...can I transfer my IRA annuity to another IRA (non-annuity IRA)without a 10% penalty? There are no surrender fees as I have owned the annuity for twelve years ( 7 year surrender schedule)
Adam
2024-09-05 07:47:41
Hi Mark,
I should preface this with the fact that we are not tax experts, and it's always best to consult with a tax advisor for these types of questions. However, it is our understanding that as long as it is a direct transfer from your IRA annuity to another IRA without you taking a distribution, then this would be a tax-free transfer and there would be no penalty.
Best regards,
Adam