Gina, your 54-year-old client, has a modified endowment contract (MEC) with a basis of $25,000 and a cash value of $50,000. Gina needs to withdraw $10,000 from the MEC to pay the balances of her credit cards. Which of these is a tax consequence of Gina's withdrawal? 

A) $10,000 taxed as ordinary income plus a 10% tax penalty on the withdrawal 

B) $10,000 is received ordinary income tax free, but a 10% tax penalty is payable on the withdrawal 

C) $10,000 long-term capital gain 

D) $10,000 short-term capital gain