This 10 % penalty charge, however, may be waived even if you are younger than 59 years and 6 months if you are borrowing to buy your first house, paying for
medical expenses due to a sudden disability,
expenses for
higher - education for self or your offspring, paying to
avoid foreclosure or eviction, getting your house repaired after a natural calamity has damaged it, for funeral
expenses of a spouse, parent or child, or your employment is terminated when you are 55 years of age.
But you can't
avoid medical expenses forever, so consider using a
high deductible health insurance policy with a tax - advantaged health savings account (HSA) to minimize your out - of - pocket health care costs.
In most cases, the traveler has pre-paid for their
medical treatment, but if they experience
medical complications, or have to cancel their trip, this coverage will help them recover their costs and
avoid unexpected
high medical expenses.