Definition
6-months after the 59th anniversary of an individual’s date-of-birth.
The significance of age 59 ½ is that distributions taken as of that age are not considered early distributions.
Distributions taken before the retirement account owner reaches age 59 ½ are considered early distributions and are subject to the early distribution penalty unless an exception applies
Referring Cite
Treas. Reg. 1.401(a)(9)-2, Q&A 3, as it relates to six months after the anniversary date of the birth
Additional Helpful Information
An individual attains age 59½ as of six calendar months after the 59th anniversary of the individual’s birth date. For example, if an individual’s date of birth was June 30, 1933, the 59th anniversary of such individual’s birth is June 30, 2003. Such individual attains age 70½ on December 30, 2003.
