Retirement
401(k) Early Withdrawal Penalty: How Much It Costs (and Every Exception)
A 10% penalty on top of income tax: see what an early 401(k) withdrawal really costs, why 20% is withheld, and every exception that waives the penalty.
11 min read
Retirement guides
Clear guides to 401(k) withdrawals, penalties, balances by age and retirement rules, with worked examples and the latest IRS figures.
Latest retirement guides
Retirement
Average 401(k) Balance by Age (2026 Chart): Average vs. Median
Average vs. median 401(k) balances for every age from Vanguard's 2026 report, plus Fidelity's savings targets and 2026 catch-up limits.
9 min read
Retirement
Full Retirement Age by Birth Year: Chart, Early Claiming Math and 2026 Rules
Your full retirement age is 66 to 67 depending on birth year. See the chart, the 30% cut at 62, the 8% yearly credit to 70 and a $2,000 worked example.
8 min read
Retirement
How Much Tax Do You Pay on a 401(k) Withdrawal? 2026 Rates and Examples
401(k) withdrawals are taxed at your normal 10% to 37% rate. See a $30,000 vs $80,000 example, the withholding rules and the states that skip the tax.
9 min read
Retirement
How Much Should I Contribute to My 401(k)? Percentages, Limits and a Calculator
Contribute enough for the full match, then aim for 15% including the match. See per-paycheck amounts, hypothetical balances and the 2026 and 2027 limits.
9 min read