Episode Details

In this episode of 9-5 Exit Plan, I sit down with CPA and Early Retirement Access founder Rob Townend to explore one of the lesser-known strategies for funding an early retirement.

Rob explains how Section 72(t) and substantially equal periodic payments can, when properly structured and when IRS requirements are met, provide an exception to the 10% additional tax that generally applies to certain retirement-account distributions before age 59½. (IRS⁠)

We discuss how 72(t) SEPP plans work, who may be a candidate, how payment calculations are determined, common mistakes, and why these strategies require careful planning.

Rob also shares his personal story of leaving a successful corporate career in his early 50s after realizing that much of his retirement savings was sitting inside accounts he couldn’t simply access without consequences.

If you’re pursuing financial independence, considering early retirement, or wondering how you could bridge the gap between leaving your career and reaching traditional retirement age, this conversation will give you a new way to think about your retirement strategy.

Connect with Rob on : https://www.earlyretirementaccess.com/