There are two different 5-year rules with regard to Roth IRA distributions. One is for determining if distributions are qualified distributions and that clock begins January 1 of the year for which you first made any Roth IRA contribution. Once you completed this 5 year period and are over age 59½, your Roth IRA distributions are free of any income tax or penalty. The other 5-year rule is for conversions and is used to determine if a distribution of a converted amount is subject to an early-distribution penalty. Early-distribution penalties end at age 59½, so the conversion 5-year rule is meaningless after age 59½.
@DFMu , you appear to be asking about the qualification 5-year rule. The original question in this thread asked about the conversion 5-year rule.
