Craig Wear, CFP®Craig Wear, CFP® | Expert in Roth Conversions & Tax-Efficient Retirement Strategies for IRA Millionaires

Don’t Withdraw from Your Roth IRA Before You Know This Rule

30 Oct 2025 · 1 min

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Craig Wear, CFP, breaks down Roth IRA withdrawal rules: contributions come out anytime penalty-free, but earnings need a five-year holding period plus age 59½. Conversions from traditional IRAs start their own five-year clock, making them a smart move if you're already 59½.

Questions this video answers

At least five years.

59 and a half years old (59½).

Yes, contributions can be taken out anytime without penalty.

Yes, each conversion has its own five-year clock.

Yes, the same five-year rule applies to inherited Roth IRAs.

Chapters

Hey, don't touch your Roth IRA until you know this rule. So to withdraw earnings tax free your Roth IRA has to be open for at least five years and you must be 59 and a half or older. You can take out your contributions anytime you want to without any penalty or anything. And if you convert from a traditional IRA that conversion also has its own five year clock. The same rule applies to inherited Roth IRAs as well. But look don't get penalized, know what the timelines are before you withdraw and don't be confused because there are actually two different five year rules. I've just gone through the one that applies to a lot of people but for folks that are already 59 and a half years old you can withdraw 100% of the amount that you convert to a Roth IRA with absolutely no penalty and no taxes. So check into those rules as well because if you're over 59 and a half it's a great way to really begin doing some massive Roth conversion.