topic ROTH 401K five year rule in Retirement tax questions

ROTH 401K five year rule

bbayne2018 — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 11:44:29 GMT

I cashed out of my ROTH 401K that I contributed to 2 years after I left my position. The five year rule applies to ROTH 401K and ROTH IRA accounts, correct?

Re: ROTH 401K five year rule

Bsch4477 — Fri, 24 Feb 2023 02:23:08 GMT

Correct. The 5 year rule applies to both.

Re: ROTH 401K five year rule

dmertz — Fri, 24 Feb 2023 03:56:45 GMT

However, although they serve the same purpose as a factor in determining whether or not distributions are qualified distributions, the 5-year rule for the Roth 401(k) is separate from the 5-year rule for your Roth IRAs. One does not carry over to the other, so you might have met the 5-year qualification period for one and not the other.

Re: ROTH 401K five year rule

DavidD66 — Sun, 26 Feb 2023 21:13:34 GMT

Withdrawals of Roth contributions are generally tax- and penalty-free, as long as the withdrawal occurs at least five years after the tax year in which you first made a Roth 401(k) contribution and you're 59 ½ or older. If a withdrawal is made from a Roth 401(k) account that does not meet the age 59½ and the account been established at least five prior to the withdrawal, it is considered early or unqualified. Unqualified withdrawals are subject to income tax as well as a 10% penalty on some but not necessarily all of the amount of the withdrawal. You can always withdraw the amount of your Roth 401(k) contributions penalty and tax free. However, any distribution of earnings are subject to taxes and the 10% excise tax/penalty.