Can You Retire Before 59½? Here's What You Need to Know

Retire Smarter with Kevin Kroskey, CFP® & Tyler Emrick, CFA® CFP® · Jul 23, 2026 · 16m

Many people assume they have to wait until age 59½ before they can retire because that's when retirement accounts generally become available without the 10% early withdrawal penalty. But in reality, early retirement is often less about how much you've saved and more about how you access your money.

In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA, CFP® discusses the planning strategies that can help bridge the gap before traditional retirement account access, why saving across different account types creates flexibility, and how thoughtful income planning can make early retirement a realistic option.

We…