> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.takadao.io/takadao-docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.takadao.io/takadao-docs/part-b.-takadao-the-daos/05-tdaos-tokens-aka-membership-credits/discontinuing-membership-before-contract-maturity.md). # Discontinuing membership before contract maturity Contract default and other times Credits are burned as penalty Membership Credits are locked in a smart contract for the duration of the membership contract. While the contract is in force, these Credits cannot be transferred or traded. As long as the Credits remain locked, membership is in force. In case a member decides he wants to break the protection contract and terminate his membership ahead of maturity, a pre-agreed upon penalty will be imposed; a portion of the locked Credits will be burned and the remaining released to the member. The rationale for this is that premature termination of the contract and unlocking of Credits introduces risk to the tDAO fund that needs to be corrected. Burning a portion of the Credits will offset the risk to the fund and result in restoring targeted risk levels. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.takadao.io/takadao-docs/part-b.-takadao-the-daos/05-tdaos-tokens-aka-membership-credits/discontinuing-membership-before-contract-maturity.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.