Retiring at 52 could lock up a big part of your nest egg until age 59 ½. If most of your money sits in a 401(k) or traditional IRA, early withdrawals might trigger a 10% penalty. A Roth conversion ladder, however, may provide access sooner without that charge, but you still need to account for the five-year rule. How a Roth Conversion Ladder Works Before Age 59 ½ A Roth conversion ladder can split a large retirement account balance into smaller transfers over several years. This strategy could help man ...