Rep. Mike Levin Introduces New Bill to Help Families Afford IVF Costs
Bipartisan Bill Would Exempt Early Retirement Withdrawals from Tax Penalty to Pay for Fertility Treatments
Washington, D.C.—Today, Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) and Rep. Mike Carey (OH-15) introduced a new bipartisan bill, the Fertility Cost Relief Act, to allow individuals to withdraw money from their IRA or 401K without penalty to help pay for fertility expenses.
The Fertility Cost Relief Act would allow an individual to withdraw up to $20,000 from their retirement account to pay for the cost of fertility treatment, including IVF, without penalty. Current law imposes a 10% tax penalty for any withdrawals before the age of 59½ from IRAs and 401Ks. Congress has created various exceptions to the early withdrawal penalty, but not for fertility treatment. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, IVF costs Californians up to $24,000 out of pocket.
“The high cost of IVF treatment makes it difficult for thousands of Americans to start or grow their families. Family planning and fertility treatments are too costly and out of reach for too many Americans,” said Rep. Levin. “Our bipartisan Fertility Cost Relief Act would allow individuals to take money from their retirement accounts to build a family without a financial penalty. This bill would save families money and give them hope in the face of infertility challenges. I thank Rep. Carey for his partnership on this bill and look forward to it moving through the legislative process.”
“The Fertility Cost Relief Act allows families struggling with infertility to make penalty-free early withdrawals from their retirement accounts to fund treatment, mirroring existing rules for expenses covering childbirth, adoption, and more,” said Rep. Carey. “This bipartisan piece of legislation helps more Americans grow their families using their already hard-earned money. Having introduced the Infertility Treatment Affordability Act earlier this Congress, I see Rep. Levin’s bill as a perfect complement. I am proud to champion multiple proposals that support family building, and I appreciate the opportunity to work with Rep. Levin on this important legislation.”
The bill originated from the experience of San Diego resident Walt Bishop with IVF costs. Walt paid approximately $25,000 for IVF and medications. This was on top of payments he made for other fertility treatments before moving to IVF. When Walt tried to take money out of his retirement account to cover the costs, he discovered that he would face early withdrawal penalties for using his own retirement savings to start a family. The Fertility Cost Relief Act would ensure no one is penalized for withdrawing money from a retirement account to build a family.
“Our family's journey through infertility taught me that while the emotional toll can be heartbreaking, the financial burden can be just as crushing. For too many hopeful parents, the cost of fertility treatment stands between them and the family they've dreamed of building. I want to thank Congressman Mike Levin for introducing the Fertility Cost Relief Act and for recognizing that no one should have to give up on becoming a parent because they can't afford the care they need. This legislation gives families another meaningful financial tool to help make fertility treatment more accessible, bringing the dream of parenthood within reach for more Americans,” said Walt Bishop, Director of Government Affairs, City of San Diego.
"For more than 50 years, RESOLVE has worked alongside our patient community to reduce barriers to family building. We know that the cost of fertility treatment remains one of the biggest obstacles patients face, and we thank Representatives Levin and Carey for introducing bipartisan legislation that gives families greater financial flexibility to access the care they need. Every step that helps reduce the financial burden of fertility treatment brings more people closer to building the family they've dreamed of,” said Alise Powell, Director of Government Affairs, RESOLVE: The National Infertility and Family Building Association.
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