Hopefully this is the correct forum for this topic. I will be 52 years old in 2024 and I am employed as a Deputy Sheriff and have been the last 23 years. All of these years with the same municipality here in Georgia. Anyways, I understand that there is an exemption to the 10% early withdrawal penalty from the 401K for public safety personnel that separate from service at 50 or above. I reached out to our 401k company to inquire about distribution options post-retirement and was given some very disheartening news. The 401k plan as set up by the county does not allow for systematic distributions (monthly, quarterly, etc). Upon separation from employment you can take the entire balance as a distribution or roll over into an IRA. Crunching the numbers, I am facing a 42.5 % tax liability if I take the balance (this is without paying the 10% penalty). I do not want to roll over into IRA out of fear that the money will no longer be accessible penalty free. I feel caught between a rock and a hard place. I have been a cop for 23 years and cannot imaging doing this job until 59 1/2 y/o. Do any of you happen to know if I will lose my early withdrawal exemption by rolling out of company 401k to IRA? Thanks