Roth IRAs and Roth 401(k)s offer powerful tax advantages, especially for those aiming to retire early. But the IRS 5-year rules attached to these accounts can trip you up if you’re not paying attention. These rules determine when your withdrawals are tax and penalty-free, and understanding them is essential if you’re planning to tap into Roth funds before age 59½.
Let’s break down what the rules are, why they matter, and how to use them to your advantage.
If you plan to access your Roth funds before age 59½, which many early retirees do, it’s crucial to understand how these clocks work and how to use them to your advantage.
The Two Roth 5-Year Rules (Yes, There Are Two)
There are two separate 5-year clocks you need to understand—one for contributions and one for conversions.
1. Roth IRA Contribution 5-Year Rule
This IRS rule says that in order to withdraw earnings tax-free, your Roth IRA must have been open for at least 5 years, and you must be 59½ or older.
Why it matters: Even if you’re over 59½, if you opened your Roth IRA less than five years ago, your earnings may still be taxed. (Your contributions, however, can always be withdrawn tax- and penalty-free.)
Early retirement tip: Start your Roth IRA now, even with a small amount. That starts the clock ticking—even if you don’t plan to withdraw for decades.
The fine print:
- The 5-year clock starts when you first contribute to a Roth IRA
- It affects tax on earnings
- The Roth must be open 5+ years AND age 59½ to withdraw earnings tax-free
- Contributions can be withdrawn anytime, tax- and penalty-free
2. Roth Conversion 5-Year Rule (Each Conversion Has Its Own Clock)
If you convert traditional IRA or 401(k) money into a Roth IRA, that amount must stay in the Roth for at least 5 years before you can withdraw it penalty-free (even if you’re under 59½). Otherwise, you’ll pay a 10% early withdrawal penalty.
Why it matters: Many early retirees use Roth conversions to access retirement funds before age 59½. But if you take money out too soon, you could owe penalties.
Early retirement tip: If you’re planning to retire before 59½, consider starting annual Roth conversions several years before you need the money. Each conversion creates its own 5-year clock, so timing is everything.
The fine print:
- The 5 year clock on conversions starts each time you convert money from a traditional IRA or 401k to a Roth account
- Affects early withdrawal penalties
- Must wait 5 years per conversion to avoid a 10% penalty on withdrawals if you are under 59½
- Conversions can be withdrawn after 5 years, even BEFORE age 59½, with NO penalty.
- Earnings in the Roth still follow the separate rules for qualified distributions — you generally need to be 59½ and have had any Roth IRA for 5 years to take earnings tax-free.
- If you are over 59½, the 5-year conversion rule no longer applies. You can withdraw converted amounts penalty-free, regardless of when you converted.
Still Confused? These Tables Could Be Useful
The 5 year rules related to Roth contributions and conversions can be confusing. We recreated the following tables using a framework offered on the Bogleheads site.
Taxes and Penalties if You Are Under 59 ½
| Treatment | Five-year conversion holding period met | Five year conversion holding period met | |
| Roth Contributions | Tax | No | No |
| Penalty | No | No | |
| Roth Conversions, taxable portion | Tax | No | No |
| Penalty | Yes | No | |
| Roth Conversions, nontaxable portion | Tax | No | No |
| Penalty | No | No | |
| Roth Earnings | Tax | Yes | Yes |
| Penalty | Yes | Yes |
Review Taxes and Penalties if You Are Over 59 ½
| Treatment | Less than five years since opening first Roth IRA | Five years or more since opening first Roth IRA | |
| Roth Contributions | Tax | No | Qualified |
| Penalty | No | ||
| Roth Conversions, taxable portion | Tax | No | |
| Penalty | No | ||
| Roth Conversions, nontaxable portion | Tax | No | |
| Penalty | No | ||
| Roth Earnings | Tax | Yes | |
| Penalty | No |
Planning to Retire Early? Consider a Roth Conversion Ladder
Rather than converting all of your funds at one time, you might consider a Roth conversion ladder. Each year, you convert a portion of your traditional IRA or 401(k) into a Roth IRA. That money starts its own 5-year clock. After five years, you can withdraw the converted amount penalty-free, even if you’re still under 59½.
By converting the same amount each year—say, $20,000 annually for four years—you create a “ladder” of future tax-free, penalty-free withdrawals starting in Year 6. It’s a way to legally access retirement funds early, while smoothing your tax burden over time. Here is an example:
- Year 1 (5 years before you retire at 55), convert $20,000 -> Withdraw penalty-free when you retire
- Year 2 (4 years before retirement) convert $20,000 -> Withdraw in the second year of retirement
- Year 3 (3 years before retirement) convert $20,000 -> Withdraw in the third year of retirement
- Year 4 (2 years before retirement) convert $20,000 -> Withdraw in the fourth year of retirement
- Year 5, you’ve bridged to 59½ and no longer need to worry about early retirement penalties
NOTE: Exact Timing Matters for the Five-Year Conversion Rule (Sometimes It Can Be Less than Five Years)
Here is an interesting tip. Five years sometimes means four years. The exact timing of your conversions matters. The conversions are all based on the January 1 start of the tax year in which the conversion happened.
If you convert funds in December 2025, that conversion is considered to have occurred on January 1, 2025 for the purpose of the five-year rule.
And, therefore, the five-year holding period ends on January 1, 2030.
So you can withdraw those converted funds anytime in calendar year 2030 without triggering the 10% early-distribution penalty — even if your exact conversion date was late in 2025
Sarah Busch, Head of Boldin Advisors offers this tip, “When planning a Roth conversion, wait until the last two months of the year to decide how much to convert. By then, you’ll have a clearer view of your total income, making it easier to manage your tax bracket and avoid surprises.”
Want professional advice for your Roth decisions? Book a FREE discovery session with Boldin Advisors. Learn about fee structures and how the support of a CFP® professional can support your path toward your financial goals.
Why These Rules Are Useful (Not Just Annoying)
At first glance, the 5-year rules can feel like red tape. But they actually create planning opportunities:
- They encourage you to start early, even with small contributions.
- They allow you to strategically access funds early through Roth conversion ladders.
- They make Roth accounts more powerful long-term planning tools, especially when paired with taxable and traditional accounts in a diversified withdrawal strategy.
Modeling Your Options in the Boldin Retirement Planner
The Boldin Retirement Planner is the most powerful tool for finding your path to the secure future you want. Tens of thousands of people have retired earlier than they originally thought possible through use of the tool.
Roth accounts are one of the levers used to optimize finances. Run scenarios in the Boldin Planner to discover how to optimize your money and secure your early retirement. Or get advice on your tax planning from a CFP® professional from Boldin Advisors.
Final Thought: Know the Clocks and Start Them Now
Whether you’re dreaming of leaving your job at 55, 45, or even 35, understanding the 5-year Roth rules is key to unlocking flexibility in retirement. The sooner you start contributing—and converting—the sooner you can build a tax-smart path to financial freedom.
Time, in this case, really is money.