Final answer:
Withdrawing funds from a traditional IRA prior to the age of 59 1/2 incurs an early withdrawal penalty and income tax.
Step-by-step explanation:
Withdrawing funds from a traditional IRA prior to the age of 59 1/2 can have consequences.
The correct answer is c. Early withdrawal penalty and income tax.
When funds are withdrawn from a traditional IRA before reaching the age of 59 1/2, the IRS imposes an early withdrawal penalty of 10% on the amount withdrawn. In addition to the penalty, the amount withdrawn is also subject to income tax.