To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase the maximum amount of contributions to individual retirement accounts and the amounts of adjusted gross income at which the IRA deduction phases out for active participants in pension plans, and to allow penalty-free distributions from individual retirement accounts and 401(k) plans for certain purposes.

SECTION 1. INCREASE IN CONTRIBUTION LIMITS AND AMOUNTS AT WHICH PHASE 
              OUT OF DEDUCTION BEGINS FOR INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT 
              CONTRIBUTIONS.

    (a) Increase in Maximum Amount of Contribution to Individual 
Retirement Accounts.--
            (1) In general.--Subparagraph (A) of section 219(b)(1) of 
        the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to maximum amount 
        of deduction) is amended by striking ``$2,000'' and inserting 
        ``the applicable amount''.
            (2) Applicable amount.--Subsection (b) of section 219 of 
        such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new 
        paragraph:
            ``(5) Applicable amount.--
                    ``(A) In general.--For purposes of paragraph (1), 
                the term `applicable amount' means--
                            ``(i) for any taxable year beginning in 
                        1997, $2,500,
                            ``(ii) for any taxable year beginning after 
                        1997 and before 2006, the applicable amount 
                        determined under this paragraph for the 
                        preceding taxable year, increased by $500, and
                            ``(iii) for any taxable year beginning 
                        after 2005, $7,000.
                    ``(B) Inflation adjustment.--In the case of a 
                taxable year beginning in a calendar year after 2006, 
                the $7,000 amount contained in subparagraph (A)(iii) 
                shall be increased by an amount equal to--
                            ``(i) such dollar amount, multiplied by
                            ``(ii) the cost-of-living adjustment under 
                        section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which 
                        the taxable year begins, determined by 
                        substituting `calendar year 2005' for `calendar 
                        year 1992' in subparagraph (B) thereof.
                If any amount as adjusted under the preceding sentence 
                is not a multiple of $10, such amount shall be rounded 
                to the nearest multiple of $10.''
    (b) Increase of Amounts at Which Phase-Out Of Deduction For IRA 
Contributions Begins.--
            (1) In general.--Clauses (i) and (ii) of section 
        219(g)(3)(B) of such Code (relating to limitation on deduction 
        for active participants in certain pension plans) are amended 
        to read as follows:
                            ``(i) in the case of a taxpayer filing a 
                        joint return--
                                    ``(I) for taxable years beginning 
                                in 1997, $50,000,
                                    ``(II) for taxable years beginning 
                                after 1997 and before 2003, the 
                                applicable dollar amount determined 
                                under this subclause for the preceding 
                                taxable year, increased by $10,000, and
                                    ``(III) for taxable years beginning 
                                after 2002, $110,000.
                            ``(ii) in the case of any other taxpayer 
                        (other than a married individual filing a 
                        separate return)--
                                    ``(I) for taxable years beginning 
                                in 1997, $30,000,
                                    ``(II) for taxable years beginning 
                                after 1997 and before 2003, the 
                                applicable dollar amount determined 
                                under this subclause for the preceding 
                                taxable year, increased by $5,000, and
                                    ``(III) for taxable years beginning 
                                after 2002, $60,000, and''
            (2) Inflation adjustment.--Paragraph (3) of section 219(g) 
        of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new 
        subparagraph:
                    ``(C) Inflation adjustment.--In the case of a 
                taxable year beginning in a calendar year after 2003, 
                the $110,000 amount contained in subparagraph 
                (B)(i)(III) and the $60,000 amount contained in 
                subparagraph (B)(ii)(III) shall each be increased by an 
                amount equal to--
                            ``(i) such dollar amount, multiplied by
                            ``(ii) the cost-of-living adjustment under 
                        section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which 
                        the taxable year begins, determined by 
                        substituting `calendar year 2004' for `calendar 
                        year 1992' in subparagraph (B) thereof.
                If any amount as adjusted under the preceding sentence 
                is not a multiple of $100, such amount shall be rounded 
                to the nearest multiple of $100.''
    (c) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Paragraph (1) of section 408(a) of such Code is amended 
        by striking ``$2,000'' and inserting ``the applicable amount 
        (as in effect under section 219(b) for such taxable year)''.
            (2) Subparagraph (B) of section 408(b)(2) of such Code is 
        amended by striking ``$2,000'' and inserting ``the applicable 
        amount in effect under section 219(b) for the taxable year of 
        such individual''.
            (3) Subsection (b) of section 408 of such Code is amended 
        in the last sentence by striking `$2,000'' and inserting ``the 
        applicable amount in effect under section 219(b) for such 
        taxable year''.
            (4) Subparagraph (A) of section 408(d)(5) of such Code is 
        amended by striking ``dollar amount'' and inserting 
        ``applicable amount''.
            (5) Subsection (j) of section 408 of such Code is amended 
        by striking ``$2,000'' and inserting ``applicable''.
    (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1996.

SEC. 2. PENALTY-FREE DISTRIBUTIONS FROM INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT PLANS, 
              401(k) PLANS, ETC.

    (a) Distributions Related to First Homes, Education, or Adoption.--
            (1) In general.--Paragraph (2) of section 72(t) (relating 
        to exceptions to 10-percent additional tax on early 
        distributions from qualified retirement plans) is amended by 
        adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
                    ``(E) Certain distributions from individual 
                retirement plans, 401(k) plans, etc.--Distributions to 
                an individual from an individual retirement plan, or 
                from amounts attributable to employer contributions 
                made pursuant to elective deferrals described in 
                subparagraph (A) or (C) of section 402(g)(3) or section 
                501(c)(18)(D)(iii), to the extent such distributions do 
                not exceed the sum of--
                            ``(i) qualified first-time homebuyer 
                        distributions (as defined in paragraph (7)) 
                        made during the taxable year,
                            ``(ii) qualified education expenses (as 
                        defined in paragraph (8)) of the taxpayer for 
                        the taxable year, and
                            ``(iii) qualified adoption expenses (as 
                        defined in section 23(d), determined without 
                        regard to section 23(d)(2)(B)) paid or incurred 
                        by the taxpayer during the taxable year.''
            (2) Definitions.--Section 72(t) is amended by adding at the 
        end the following new paragraphs:
            ``(7) Qualified first-time homebuyer distributions.--For 
        purposes of paragraph (2)(E)(i)--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `qualified first-time 
                homebuyer distribution' means any payment or 
                distribution received by an individual to the extent 
                such payment or distribution is used by the individual 
                before the close of the 60th day after the day on which 
                such payment or distribution is received to pay 
                qualified acquisition costs with respect to a principal 
                residence of a first-time homebuyer who is such 
                individual, the spouse of such individual, or any 
                child, grandchild, or ancestor of such individual or 
                the individual's spouse.
                    ``(B) Qualified acquisition costs.--For purposes of 
                this paragraph, the term `qualified acquisition costs' 
                means the costs of acquiring, constructing, or 
                reconstructing a residence. Such term includes any 
                usual or reasonable settlement, financing, or other 
                closing costs.
                    ``(C) First-time homebuyer; other definitions.--For 
                purposes of this paragraph--
                            ``(i) First-time homebuyer.--The term 
                        `first-time homebuyer' means any individual 
                        if--
                                    ``(I) such individual (and if 
                                married, such individual's spouse) had 
                                no present ownership interest in a 
                                principal residence during the 2-year 
                                period ending on the date of 
                                acquisition of the principal residence 
                                to which this paragraph applies, and
                                    ``(II) subsection (h) or (k) of 
                                section 1034 did not suspend the 
                                running of any period of time specified 
                                in section 1034 with respect to such 
                                individual on the day before the date 
                                the distribution is applied pursuant to 
                                subparagraph (A).
                            ``(ii) Principal residence.--The term 
                        `principal residence' has the same meaning as 
                        when used in section 1034.
                            ``(iii) Date of acquisition.--The term 
                        `date of acquisition' means the date--
                                    ``(I) on which a binding contract 
                                to acquire the principal residence to 
                                which subparagraph (A) applies is 
                                entered into, or
                                    ``(II) on which construction or 
                                reconstruction of such a principal 
                                residence is commenced.
                    ``(D) Special rule where delay in acquisition.--If 
                any distribution from any individual retirement plan 
                fails to meet the requirements of subparagraph (A) 
                solely by reason of a delay or cancellation of the 
                purchase or construction of the residence, the amount 
                of the distribution may be contributed to an individual 
                retirement plan as provided in section 408(d)(3)(A)(i) 
                (determined by substituting `120 days' for `60 days' in 
                such section), except that--
                            ``(i) section 408(d)(3)(B) shall not be 
                        applied to such contribution, and
                            ``(ii) such amount shall not be taken into 
                        account in determining whether section 
                        408(d)(3)(A)(i) applies to any other amount.
            ``(8) Qualified education expenses.--For purposes of 
        paragraph (2)(E)(ii)--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `qualified higher 
                education expenses' means tuition, fees, books, 
                supplies, and equipment required for the education of--
                            ``(i) the taxpayer,
                            ``(ii) the taxpayer's spouse, or
                            ``(iii) any child (as defined in section 
                        151(c)(3)), grandchild, or ancestor of the 
                        taxpayer or the taxpayer's spouse,
                whether or not such education takes place at an 
                eligible educational institution (as defined in section 
                135(c)(3)).
                    ``(B) Coordination with savings bond provisions.--
                The amount of qualified education expenses for any 
                taxable year shall be reduced by any amount excludable 
                from gross income under section 135.''
            (3) Conforming amendment.--Subparagraph (B) of section 
        72(t)(2) is amended by striking ``or (D)'' and inserting ``, 
        (D), or (E)''.
    (b) Penalty-Free Distributions for Certain Unemployed Individuals 
Not Limited to Health Insurance Costs and Allowed From 401(k) Plans, 
Etc.--Subparagraph (D) of section 72(t)(2) is amended--
            (1) in clause (i), by inserting ``, or from amounts 
        attributable to employer contributions made pursuant to 
        elective deferrals described in subparagraph (A) or (C) of 
        section 402(g)(3) or section 501(c)(18)(D)(iii),'' after 
        ``individual retirement plan'',
            (2) in clause (i), by inserting ``and'' at the end of 
        subclause (I), by striking ``, and'' at the end of subclause 
        (II) and inserting a period, and by striking subclause (III), 
        and
            (3) by striking ``for health insurance premiums'' in the 
        heading.
    (c) Unlimited Penalty-Free Distributions for Medical Care and 
Expanded Definition of Dependents for Purposes of Such Distributions.--
Subparagraph (B) of section 72(t)(2) is amended by striking ``medical 
care'' and all that follows and inserting ``medical care, determined--
                            ``(i) without regard to whether the 
                        employee itemizes deductions for such taxable 
                        year, and
                            ``(ii) in the case of a distribution from 
                        an individual retirement plan, or from amounts 
                        attributable to employer contributions made 
                        pursuant to elective deferrals described in 
                        subparagraph (A) or (C) of section 402(g)(3) or 
                        section 501(c)(18)(D)(iii)--
                                    ``(I) without regard to whether or 
                                not such expenses exceed 7.5 percent of 
                                adjusted gross income, and
                                    ``(II) by treating an individual's 
                                dependents as including all children 
                                and grandchildren of the individual (or 
                                of such individual's spouse), and all 
                                ancestors of the individual (or of such 
                                individual's spouse).''
    (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to payments and distributions in taxable years beginning after 
December 31, 1996.

Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the:  (1) maximum deduction for individual retirement account contributions; and (2) income amount at which phase-out of that deduction begins. 
Exempts from the early distribution penalty:  (1) distributions from certain types of retirement plans for first-time home buyer, education, or adoption expenses; and (2) for unemployed individuals (currently, for unemployed individuals for health insurance premiums).  Modifies requirements regarding penalties for medical care early distributions.