How Can You Pull Money From Your 401k

Leaving Work With An Unpaid Loan

Suppose you take a plan loan and then lose your job. You will have to repay the loan in full. If you don’t, the full unpaid loan balance will be considered a taxable distribution, and you could also face a 10% federal tax penalty on the unpaid balance if you are under age 59½. While this scenario is an accurate description of tax law, it doesn’t always reflect reality.

At retirement or separation from employment, many people often choose to take part of their 401 money as a taxable distribution, especially if they are cash-strapped. Having an unpaid loan balance has similar tax consequences to making this choice. Most plans do not require plan distributions at retirement or separation from service.

People who want to avoid negative tax consequences can tap other sources to repay their 401 loans before taking a distribution. If they do so, the full plan balance can qualify for a tax-advantaged transfer or rollover. If an unpaid loan balance is included in the participant’s taxable income and the loan is subsequently repaid, the 10% penalty does not apply.

The more serious problem is to take 401 loans while working without having the intent or ability to repay them on schedule. In this case, the unpaid loan balance is treated similarly to a hardship withdrawal, with negative tax consequences and perhaps also an unfavorable impact on plan participation rights.

What Type Of Situation Qualifies As A Hardship

The following limited number of situations rise to the level of hardship, as defined by Congress:

• Unreimbursed medical expenses for you, your spouse or dependents
• Payments necessary to prevent eviction from your home or foreclosure on a mortgage of principal residence.
• Funeral or burial expenses for a parent, spouse, child or other dependent
• Purchase of a principal residence or to pay for certain expenses for the repair of damage to a principal residence
• Payment of college tuition and related educational costs for the next 12 months for you, your spouse, dependents or non-dependent children

Your plan may or may not limit withdrawals to the employee contributions only. Some plans exclude income earned and or employer matching contributions from being part of a hardship withdrawal.

In addition, IRS rules state that you can only withdraw what you need to cover your hardship situation, though the total amount requested may include any amounts necessary to pay federal, state or local income taxes or penalties reasonably anticipated to result from the distribution.

A 401 plan even if it allows for hardship withdrawals can require that the employee exhaust all other financial resources, including the availability of 401 loans, before permitting a hardship withdrawal, says Paul Porretta, a compensation and benefits attorney at Troutman Pepper in New York.

How Covid Retirement Plan Withdrawals Affect Your Taxes

Though you dont have to pay the 10% penalty on these withdrawals, youll still owe taxes on the money you withdraw. To make things a bit easier, though, the CARES Act allows you to spread the income over three different tax years.

For example, if you borrowed $30,000, you can apply $10,000 to your 2020 taxable income, $10,000 in 2021 and the last $10,000 in 2022. You must take at least one-third of the money in each year, though. You can also opt to take more in any year, including up to all of the money if you so choose.

If, in a later year, youve made back the money you withdrew, that is allowed. Youll have to file an amended return for any years with withdrawal money to get a refund. Again, the same rules apply for IRAs and 401s.

Recommended Reading: How Much Will My 401k Grow If I Stop Contributing

What If You Cant Pay Back The 401 Loan

The main downside of a loan occurs if you either cant repay the loan or, in some cases, if you leave the employer prior to having paid off the loan.

If you default on the loan this becomes a distribution that is subject to taxes and to a 10% penalty if you are younger than 59 ½.

In some cases, leaving the company with an unpaid loan balance may trigger a distribution, but your plan may have repayment provisions that extend after you leave the company that allow for repayment without triggering taxes or a penalty.

Its always best to check with your companys plan administrator so you can fully understand the provisions of the loan.

Three Consequences Of A 401 Early Withdrawal Or Cashing Out A 401

You May Like: How Do I Know Where My 401k Is

Series Of Substantially Equal Payments

If none of the above exceptions fit your individual circumstances, you can begin taking distributions from your IRA or 401k without penalty at any age before 59 ½ by taking a 72t early distribution. It is named for the tax code which describes it and allows you to take a series of specified payments every year. The amount of these payments is based on a calculation involving your current age and the size of your retirement account. Visit the IRS website for more details.

The catch is that once you start, you have to continue taking the periodic payments for five years, or until you reach age 59 ½, whichever is longer. Also, you will not be allowed to take more or less than the calculated distribution, even if you no longer need the money. So be careful with this one!

Acceptable Reasons For Hardship Withdrawals

The IRS considers the following as acceptable reasons for a hardship withdrawal:

• Medical expenses for you, a spouse or a family member.
• Costs you might incur related to the purchase of your principal residence . This could include a down payment, but not the ongoing mortgage payments.
• To prevent your eviction from or the foreclosure of your principal residence.
• Funeral expenses for you, your spouse, other dependents, or family members.
• To cover post-secondary educational expenses for the next 12-months for you, your spouse and other family members. This includes things like tuition, fees, room and board, among others.
• Expenses related to the repair of your principal residence that fall under the IRS guidelines of what constitutes a casualty loss.

Additionally, IRS rules prohibit you from contributing to the plan for a period of at least six months.

Also Check: How To Transfer 401k To Another 401 K

Understanding Early Withdrawal From A 401

The method and process of withdrawing money from your 401 will depend on your employer and the type of withdrawal you choose. Withdrawing money early from your 401 can carry serious financial penalties, so the decision should not be made lightly. It’s really a last resort.

Not every employer allows early 401 withdrawals, so the first thing you need to do is check with your human resources department to see if the option is available. If it is, then you should check the fine print of your plan to determine the type of withdrawals that are allowed or available.

As of 2021, if you are under the age of 59½, a withdrawal from a 401 is subject to a 10% early withdrawal penalty. You will also be required to pay normal income taxes on the withdrawn funds. For a $10,000 withdrawal, once all taxes and penalties are paid, you will only receive approximately $6,300. There are some non-penalty options to consider, however.

Before deciding upon taking an early withdrawal from your 401, find out if your plan allows you to take a loan against it, as this allows you to eventually replace the funds. You may also want to consider alternative options for securing financing that could hurt you less in the long run, such as a small personal loan.

Debt Relief Without Closing My 401k

Before borrowing money from your retirement account, consider other options like nonprofit credit counseling or a home equity loan. You may be able to access a nonprofit debt management plan where your payments are consolidated, without having to take out a new loan. A credit counselor can review your income and expenses and see if you qualify for debt consolidation without taking out a new loan.

You May Like: How To Cash Out Your 401k Fidelity

Tips On 401 Withdrawals

• Talk with a financial advisor about your needs and how you can best meet them. SmartAssets financial advisor matching tool makes it easy to quickly connect with professional advisors in your local area. If youre ready, get started now.
• If youre considering withdrawing money from your 401 early, think about a personal loan instead. SmartAsset has a personal loan calculator to help you figure out payment methods.

What Are The Risks Of Withdrawing 401k Money

If you’re using the Covid rules to withdraw cash from a 401k, keep in mind that you’ll need to pay tax on it or repay the withdrawal.

You also face a shortfall of cash in retirement, unless you already have enough money saved elsewhere.

In November, Fidelity said the average amount withdrawn of those who took advantage of the rule was $10,000.

It may seem small but it could eventually grow to be a significant amount if left untouched due to the benefits of compound interest.

For example, if youre 35, a $10,000 nest egg could grow to more than $100,000 by the time youre 70, assuming a 7% annual return.

Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz, a certified financial planner and president of the Charles Schwab Foundation, said: “Even if its possible to borrow from your 401k or take a distribution, consider this a last resort.

“While present circumstances may be difficult, Id counsel anyone to avoid jeopardizing their future retirement unless absolutely necessary.

“You may not appreciate the full consequences until much later.”

Read Also: How To Put 401k Into Ira

How To Take Money Out Of Your 401

There are many different ways to take money out of a 401, including:

• Withdrawing money when you retire: These are withdrawals made after age 59 1/2.
• Making an early withdrawal: These are withdrawals made prior to age 59 1/2. You may be subject to a 10% penalty unless your situation qualifies as an exception.
• Making a hardship withdrawal: These are early withdrawals made because of immediate financial need. You may be still be penalized for them.
• Taking out a 401 loan: You can borrow against your 401 and will not incur penalties as long as you repay the loan on schedule.
• Rolling over a 401: If you leave your job, you can move your 401 into another 401 or IRA without penalty as long as the funds are moved over within 60 days of your distribution.
• Taking a coronavirus-related withdrawal: There are special rules in place in 2020 allowing a penalty-free withdrawal of up to $100,000 if you’re experiencing hardships related to the coronavirus.

A Deeper Dive On The 401 Loan Option

A loan is more strategic than a withdrawal, which torpedoes your savings altogether. With a full cash-out, instantly you lose a big chunk, paying a 10% penalty to the IRS if you leave the plan under age 55 plus another 20% for federal taxes. For instance, with a $50,000 withdrawal, you may keep just $32,500 and pay $17,500 in state and federal taxes. And the leftover sum you receive, if you happen to be in a higher tax bracket, may nudge you into paying even more taxes for that additional annual income.

Another adjustment in 2020 for workers affected by COVID-19: If your plan allows or through your IRA, you can withdraw up to $100,000 without the 10% penalty even if youre younger than 59½. The standard 20% federal tax withholding does not apply, but 10% withholding will unless you decide otherwise. You also can spread your income tax payments on the withdrawal over three years.

We understand emergencies can leave people with limited choices. Just remember that even the less extreme option of a 401 loan may paint your future self into a corner. The most severe impact of a 401 loan or withdrawal isnt the immediate penalties but how it interrupts the power of compound interest to grow your retirement savings.

At the very least, dont start stacking loans . Some employer retirement plans allow as many as three.

Recommended Reading: Should I Roll Over 401k To Ira

Withdrawing From A 401

The first and least advantageous way is to simply withdraw the money outright. This comes under the rules for hardship withdrawals, which were recently made a little easier, allowing account holders to withdraw not just their own contributions, but those from their employers. Home-buying expenses for a “principal residence” is one of the permitted reasons for taking a hardship withdrawal from a 401.

• You owe income tax on the withdrawal.

• The withdrawal could move you to a higher tax bracket.

• If you are younger than 59½, you also owe a 10% penalty on the money you withdraw.

• You can never repay your account and lose years of tax-free earnings on the money you withdraw.

If you withdraw money, however, you owe the full income tax on these funds, as if it were any other type of regular income that year. This can be particularly unappealing if you are close to a higher tax bracket, as the withdrawal is simply added on top of the regular income. There is a 10% penalty tax, also known as an early withdrawal penalty, on top of that if you are under 59½ years of age.

401 plans do not have a first-time homebuyer exception for early withdrawals, but IRAs do.

How Can I Pull Out My Money From My 401

Cashing out a 401 can be a tempting idea, especially if you are facing financial difficulties or need to raise money for a major purchase. But even though the money in the account belongs to you, it is subject to certain rules and restrictions due to the tax advantages it provides account owners. One of the rules related to cashing out a 401 relates to the employment status of the account owner. You are allowed to cash out a 401 while you are employed, but you cannot cash it out if you’re still employed at the company that sponsors the 401 that you wish to cash out.

TL DR

You can cash out a 401 while you are employed, but you cannot cash it out if you’re still employed at the company that sponsors the 401 that you wish to cash out.

Don’t Miss: Does Employer Match Count Towards 401k Limit

What Are Acceptable Reasons For A Hardship Withdrawal

The IRS considers the following list of items acceptable reasons for withdrawing money from your 401k under the hardship withdrawal.

The Pension Protection Act of 2006 extended your need for a hardship withdrawal to the needs of your beneficiary, even if the beneficiary is not your spouse or dependent.

• Medical expense: Un-reimbursed medical expenses for you, your spouse, or dependents
• Home purchase: Toward the purchase of your principal residence
• Foreclosure risk: To prevent foreclosure or eviction from your principal residence
• Educational expenses: College tuition and related educational expenses for you, your spouse, or children
• Funeral expenses: Offsetting the cost of final expenses
• Home repair: Certain expenses for the repair of damage to your principal residence

The IRS code will allow hardship withdrawals for the above-mentioned reasons only if you have no other funds or means to fulfill the need, and the withdrawal would be enough to satisfy the need .

You can, however, include the cost of withdrawal in the amount you need.

Thanks to the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, youre no longer required to take a loan from your 401k before being able to file for a hardship withdrawal.

Remember: You are not allowed to contribute to your 401k plan for six months after making a hardship withdrawal.

Periodic Distributions From 401

Instead of cashing out the entire 401, you may choose to receive regular distributions of income from your 401. Usually, you can choose to receive monthly or quarterly distributions, especially if inflation increases your living expenses. If the 401 is your main source of income, you should budget properly so that the distributions are enough to meet your expenses.

For example, if you have accumulated $1 million in retirement savings, you can choose to receive $3,330 every month, which amounts to approximately $40,000 annually. You can adjust the amount once a year or every few months if your 401 plan allows it. This option allows the remaining savings to continue growing over time as you take periodic distributions.

Recommended Reading: Should I Rollover My Old 401k To An Ira

People May Have Different Reasons For Withdrawing Funds Early From A 401k

• Financial Hardship: People sometimes withdraw funds early due to financial hardship . Example include: medical care, expenses related to the purchase of a home, tuition, and funeral expenses
• Discretionary Spending: People may withdraw funds from a 401K because they prefer to have the money now rather than save it for retirement. In general, we do not recommend this strategy
• Early Retirement: Some people retire earlier than the standard retirement age. In this case, it is understandable why they may want to access funds early since they are no longer working