Hi

Does anyone here know the rules for taking money out of a Roth IRA? Articles in the Fool retirement section says:

At:
http://www.fool.com/ira/rothvreg.htm
it says:
Choose a Roth IRA if you can do without the tax break right now. It's a more flexible instrument, because:
1. It allows you to withdraw your contributions at any time, penalty- and tax-free.
2. You do not have to take mandatory distributions at age 70 1/2.

Then at:
http://www.fool.com/money/allaboutiras/allaboutiras07.htm
It says:
Unless an exception applies, most distributions from a Roth IRA before the owner reaches age 59 1/2 will be subject to an "early withdrawal penalty" of 10% on the amount of the distribution.


So what's this discrepancie about? "Penalty- and tax free" vs. "penalty of 10%"?

Thanks,
RBM