How Can I Access My Retirement Savings Early?

Retirement savings accounts like IRAs and 401(k)s offer plenty of benefits for long-term savers. But one drawback is that they usually lock your investments up until "retirement age," which the IRS has decided is 59 1/2 years old. Withdrawing your funds before that age usually results in a 10% early withdrawal penalty, with a few exceptions for specific expenses like buying a first home or paying big medical bills.

But if you plan to retire earlier than normal and have a lot of money in your retirement accounts, you might want to start withdrawing those funds before age 59 1/2. Here's how.

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Source Fool.com