Would like to cash in my wife's 401k (she is 59) to pay off our mortgage. Do we still have to pay the 10% early withdrawl fee?

401k Withdrawal Options

You can rollover an IRA from one account to another at any time, but if you are a victim of a corporate layoff, or considering changing jobs or about to retire and you are thinking of rolling over or contemplating withdrawal of funds from your 401k plan, then you have several options depending on your age, provided you are no longer working for the employer providing the 401k plan.

Your 401k withdrawal options are as follows if you are over the age of 59 ½ but under 70 ½:



-Take a lump sum distribution, in which case your 401k plan provider will write you a check for the value of your account less a 20% withholding tax mandated by the IRS. The 20% tax that is withheld will be counted against your income tax payable or will be counted towards any refund due for the tax year when you file your tax return.

-You can do nothing and leave it with your previous employer as long as the amount is greater than $5,000. Amounts less than $5,000 will usually be distributed to you regardless of you age. (check with your plan sponsor)

-Do 401k rollover into an IRA or a solo 401k (if you are planning to open your own one person business).



Your 401k withdrawal options are as follows if you are under 59 ½



-Take a lump sum distribution, in which case your 401k plan provider will write you a check for the value of your account less a 20% withholding tax mandated by the IRS, and a 10% withdrawal penalty. The 20% tax that is withheld, but NOT the 10% penalty, will be counted against your income tax payable or will be counted towards any refund due for the tax year when you file your tax return. Some 401k penalty free withdrawal exceptions are here.

-You can do nothing and leave it with your previous employer as long as the amount is greater than $5,000. Amounts less than $5,000 will usually be distributed to you, less a 20% withholding tax, regardless of you age. (Check with your plan sponsor)

-Do 401k rollover into an IRA or a solo 401k (if you are planning to open your own one person business)

I got this information on goggle.com by typing 401K withdrawal rules