Withdrawing funds from a Traditional IRA before age 59½ may result in taxes and a 10% penalty, with some qualifying exceptions for medical expenses or permanent disabilities. Roth IRAs allow contributions to be withdrawn at any time without taxes or penalties. However, withdrawing earnings from a Roth IRA before age 59½ may incur a 10% penalty and taxes, unless certain conditions are met. It is generally recommended to avoid early withdrawals from retirement accounts whenever possible, as these funds are intended for long-term savings goals and are most beneficial when left to grow over time.