Final answer:
The correct answer is d.) Withdrawing from one's traditional IRA before age 59 ½ would be considered an early withdrawal.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer is d.) Withdrawing from one's traditional IRA before age 59 ½ would be considered an early withdrawal. Under current tax laws, individuals who withdraw funds from their traditional IRA before the age of 59 ½ are subject to an early withdrawal penalty of 10%. This penalty is in addition to the ordinary income tax that will be owed on the withdrawn amount. For example, if someone withdraws $10,000 from their traditional IRA at the age of 55, they would be subject to a $1,000 early withdrawal penalty, in addition to any income tax owed on the $10,000. This penalty is designed to discourage individuals from accessing their retirement savings before they reach their retirement age.