5 Must-Knows Before You Take the Plunge Dreaming of those early golden years? Who wouldn't want to swap their 9-5 for days filled with freedom and less stress? Understanding the 59.5 Rule and Taxes First up, let's talk about the 59.5 rule. It’s a biggie for anyone thinking of early retirement. Most pre-tax retirement plans, like traditional 401(k)s and IRAs (even Roth IRAs), have this rule. What does it mean? Basically, you’re not supposed to withdraw these funds before you t