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Early Withdrawal Penalties refer to the fees or financial penalties imposed on individuals who withdraw funds from certain types of accounts, such as retirement accounts (e.g., IRAs, 401(k)s) or time deposit accounts (e.g., CDs), before reaching a specified age or before the end of a fixed term.

These penalties are designed to discourage premature access to funds that are intended for long-term savings. For example, withdrawing funds from an IRA before the age of 59½ typically incurs a penalty of 10% on the amount withdrawn, in addition to any regular income taxes owed on the distribution.

The penalties can vary based on the type of account and the terms specified by the financial institution or governing tax laws. Exceptions to early withdrawal penalties exist for specific circumstances, such as first-time home purchases or certain medical expenses.

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