Cash out of pension prior to vesting

[gatorfalcon]

I worked for the state of California which has a pension that only vests after three years. If you left prior to vesting, you could cash out your contributions to the pension. I received a 1099-R. Is there an exception that I can use to avoid the extra hit as an early distribution (which no one told me it was).

[MarilynG1]

Click this link for info on Early Withdrawal Penalty Exceptions.