What are withdrawal rules: Roth vs Traditional IRA, 2026?

Roth IRA and Traditional IRA have different withdrawal rules. With a Roth IRA, you can usually withdraw your contributions anytime without tax, but earnings are tax-free only if you are 59½ or older and the account is at least 5 years old. With a Traditional IRA, withdrawals before 59½ usually come with income tax and a 10% penalty, while after 59½ they are taxed as normal income. Also, Required Minimum Distributions start at age 73. So basically Roth gives more flexibility, while Traditional has stricter and tax-deferred rules.

Roth lets you take out your contributions anytime, but earnings need you to be 59½ and have the account for five years. Traditional is stricter: any withdrawal before 59½ usually triggers a 10% penalty plus income tax. Also, Traditional has RMDs starting at 73.