Editing How to Avoid Penalties for Early Retirement Withdrawals (section)

=== 2. Substantially Equal Periodic Payments (SEPP) ===

You can avoid the 10% penalty by taking a series of substantially equal periodic payments based on your life expectancy1<ref name="ref12">12</ref>. This is also known as the 72(t) rule. You must continue these payments for at least 5 years or until you reach 59½, whichever is longer.