The IRS charges an excess accumulation penalty if a retirement account owner or beneficiary does not withdraw the required minimum distribution (RMD) for the year.

If you try to withdraw early from just about any retirement plan, you'll be slapped with a penalty—an incentive to leave your money alone and let it build toward retirement like you always intended.

Dipping into your 401(k) before age 59½ usually means penalties, taxes and lost earnings. But there are some exceptions.

Gold IRA withdrawals come with strict tax rules. Here's what investors should understand before taking money out.