Ok so here is my issue while trying to figure this out. I lost 130 lbs which left me with hanging skin that I would like to remove. It is cosmetic surgery so insurance will not cover it so that leaves me to figure out how to pay for it. I don't have a lot of extra money so the less I would have to borrow to pay for it would be better. My main retirement is with the teachers retirement plan so I am not touching that. What I do have and this is my question is I have a traditional ira with vanguard. I put 5000 in to it when I worked with my old employer and it has grown to 9600. I have not done anything with it in years just let it sit. If I with drew all the money, I know I would have to put it on my taxes as income and pay taxes for it like it was income. I am also guessing because I am only 50 that I would still have to pay a 10 percent penalty. Would this be charged by the irs itself and pay that all at tax time? what percentage of the 9600 would I actually need to put aside to pay? if I took out less than my initial contribution I know that would be taxed but would that also be hit with a penalty?
