What early-withdrawal exceptions let me tap a Traditional IRA before 59½ without the 10% penalty?

The IRS allows several penalty exceptions, though you still owe ordinary income tax on Traditional IRA withdrawals. Common ones: up to $10,000 for a first-time home purchase, qualified higher-education expenses, health insurance premiums while unemployed, unreimbursed medical costs above a percentage of income, total and permanent disability, and substantially equal periodic payments under Rule 72(t). SECURE 2.0 added newer exceptions, including penalty-free withdrawals up to a set amount for a qualifying emergency and larger amounts for domestic-abuse survivors and terminal illness. Birth or adoption expenses up to $5,000 per parent also qualify. The exception waives the 10% penalty only, not the income tax. Confirm current amounts and rules at irs.gov.