Retirement tax questions

Also note, if you withdraw the money "not for medical expenses" you pay income tax plus a 20% penalty.  That's a lot of tax.  It would take at least 5 years of 6% penalties to equal the tax on removing the excess as a withdrawal "not for medical expenses."

 

If you think you are likely to spend the account down to zero in the next 5 years (since you are not eligible to make new contributions, you are spending without replenishing), it may be cheaper in the long run to keep paying the 6%.