Depends. If you are no longer an actrive employee on the job where the 401(k) is located, you can transfer it to an IRA at any time (you do not need to be 59-1/2). But if you are still employed then you can transfer it out IF the plan allows it. Many plans allow withdrawals by active employees after age 59-1/2, so it may be possible. If this applies to you, you would need to find out whether you can do a direct rollover to an outside IRA - your 401(k) plan administrator should be able to tell you whether this is possible. If not, it can get complicated, and risky for you - you can take a withdrawal and immediately roll it to an IRA, but you must roll the entire amount including the taxes that they would automatically withhold to the IRA within 60 days. If you mess this up the withdrawal is subject to taxes.