How Do You Withdraw Money From Your 401k

Traditional Ira Vs Roth Ira

Like traditional 401 distributions, withdrawals from a traditional IRA are subject to your normal income tax rate in the year when you take the distribution.

Withdrawals from Roth IRAs, on the other hand, are completely tax free if they are taken after you reach age 59½ . However, if you decide to roll over the assets in a traditional 401 to a Roth IRA, you will owe income tax on the full amount of the rolloverwith Roth IRAs, you pay taxes up front.

Traditional IRAs are subject to the same RMD regulations as 401s and other employer-sponsored retirement plans. However, there is no RMD requirement for a Roth IRA.

Cashing Out Your 401k While Still Employed

The first thing to know about cashing out a 401k account while still employed is that you cant do it, not if you are still employed at the company that sponsors the 401k.

You can take out a loan against it, but you cant simply withdraw the money.

If you resign or get fired, you can withdraw the money in your account, but again, there are penalties for doing so that should cause you to reconsider. You will be subject to 10% early withdrawal penalty and the money will be taxed as regular income. Also, your employer must withhold 20% of the amount you cash out for tax purposes.

There are some exceptions to the rule that eliminate penalties, but they are very specific:

• You are over 55
• You are permanently disabled
• The money is needed for medical expenses that exceed 10% of your adjusted gross income
• You intend to cash out via a series of substantially equal payments over the rest of your life
• You are a qualified military reservist called to active duty

Borrowing Or Withdrawing Money From Your 401 Plan

Presented by Tim Weller

If you have a 401 plan at work and need some cash, you might be tempted to borrow or withdraw money from it. But keep in mind that the purpose of a 401 is to save for retirement. Take money out of it now, and you’ll risk running out of money during retirement. You may also face stiff tax consequences and penalties for withdrawing money before age 59½. Still, if you’re facing a

financial emergency for instance, your child’s college tuition is almost due and your 401 is your only source of available funds borrowing or withdrawing money from your 401 may be your only option. Also, due the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, some of the rules surrounding getting access to your 401 money have been temporarily relaxed in 2020.

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Understanding 401 Early Withdrawals

If an account holder takes withdrawals from their 401 before age 59½, they may incur penalties in the form of additional taxes. The additional tax for taking an early withdrawal from a tax-advantaged retirement account is 10% on top of any applicable income taxes.

The 10% early withdrawal tax may be waived if the account owner withdraws 401 funds in order to pay for certain qualified expenses, however.

Hardships Early Withdrawals And Loans

Generally, a retirement plan can distribute benefits only when certain events occur. Your summary plan description should clearly state when a distribution can be made. The plan document and summary description must also state whether the plan allows hardship distributions, early withdrawals or loans from your plan account.

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When Do I Have To Start Making Withdrawals From My Ira

You cant keep your funds in a retirement account indefinitely. Generally, youre required to start taking withdrawals from your traditional IRA when you reach age 70 ½ . Roth IRAs, however, dont require withdrawals until the owner of the account dies.

The amount that youre required to withdraw is called a required minimum distribution . You can withdraw more than the RMD amount, but withdrawals from a Traditional IRA are included in your taxable income. If you fail to make withdrawals that meet the RMD standards, you may be subject to a 50% excise tax. Roth IRAs do not require RMDs. Your money grows tax-free, since contributions are made from after-tax dollars, and your withdrawals in retirement aren’t taxed.

When Employees Want To Stop Contributions

Employees may elect to terminate their salary reduction contributions to a SIMPLE IRA plan at any time. If they do so, the SIMPLE IRA plan may preclude them from resuming salary reduction contributions until the beginning of the next calendar year. Employers that are making nonelective employer contributions must continue to make them on behalf of these employees.

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Withdrawals After Age 72

Many people continue to work well past age 59 1/2. They delay their 401 withdrawals, allowing the assets to continue to grow tax-deferred, but the IRS requires that you begin to take withdrawals known as “required minimum distributions” by age 72.

Those who are owners of 5% or more of a business can defer taking their RMDs while they’re still working, but the plan must have made this election. This only applies to the 401 of your current employer. RMDs for all other retirement accounts still must be taken.

Understanding The Rules For 401 Withdrawal After 59 1/2

LAST REVIEWED Apr 15 20219 MIN READ

A 401 is a type of investment account thats sponsored by employers. It lets employees contribute a portion of their salary before the IRS withholds funds for taxes, which allows interest to accumulate faster to increase the employees retirement funds. Now, if you have a 401, you could pay a penalty if you cash out your investment account before you turn 59 ½.

Heres some more information about the rules you need to follow to maximize your 401 benefits after you turn 59 ½.

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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.

Do I Have To Claim My 401k Withdrawal On My Taxes

First, its important to remember that when it comes to traditional 401 plans and IRAs , your generally pay no taxes on your contributions. Upon withdrawal, however, you have to report the income and pay taxes on it.

How do I avoid taxes on my 401k withdrawal?

Heres how to minimize 401 and IRA withdrawal taxes in retirement:

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Take Advantage Of Your Employers Match Program

If you work for an employer that offers a 401 matching program, and youre not already doing so, you should be contributing up to the maximum match percentage.

For instance, lets your employer will match your 401 deposits 100 percent up to six percent of your income. If youre only contributing 3 percent of your income to your 401, youre leaving money on the table.

Increase your contributions up to that 6 percent and take full advantage of your employers generous match offer. Your employers benefits center should be able to help you do that.

Borrowing Money From My 401k

It may seem like an easy way to get out of debt to borrow from your retirement accounts for DIY debt consolidation, but you can only borrow $50,000 or half the vested balance in your account, if its less than $50,000. You wont face a tax penalty for doing so, like you would with an out-right withdrawal, but youll still have to pay the money back.

And unlike a home equity loan where payments can be drawn out over a 10-to-30-year period, most 401k loans need to be paid back on a shorter time table like five years. This can take a huge chunk out of your paycheck, causing you even further financial distress. Borrowing money from your 401k also limits the ability of your invested dollars to grow.

Paying off some of your debt with a 401k loan could help improve your debt-to-income ratio, a calculation lenders make to determine how much debt you can handle. If youre almost able to qualify for a consolidation or home equity loan, but your DTI ratio is too high, a small loan from your retirement account, amortized over 5 years at a low interest rate may make the difference.

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Is It A Good Idea To Borrow From Your 401

Using a 401 loan for elective expenses like entertainment or gifts isn’t a healthy habit. In most cases, it would be better to leave your retirement savings fully invested and find another source of cash.

On the flip side of what’s been discussed so far, borrowing from your 401 might be beneficial long-termand could even help your overall finances. For example, using a 401 loan to pay off high-interest debt, like credit cards, could reduce the amount you pay in interest to lenders. What’s more, 401 loans don’t require a credit check, and they don’t show up as debt on your credit report.

Another potentially positive way to use a 401 loan is to fund major home improvement projects that raise the value of your property enough to offset the fact that you are paying the loan back with after-tax money, as well as any foregone retirement savings.

If you decide a 401 loan is right for you, here are some helpful tips:

• Pay it off on time and in full
• Avoid borrowing more than you need or too many times
• Continue saving for retirement

It might be tempting to reduce or pause your contributions while you’re paying off your loan, but keeping up with your regular contributions is essential to keeping your retirement strategy on track.

Long-term impact of taking $15,000 from a $38,000 account balance

What Are The Pros And Cons Of Withdrawal Vs A 401k Loan

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How Are Withdrawals Of Roth 401 Deferrals Taxed

Because Roth 401 deferrals are contributed to your account on an after-tax basis, they are never taxable upon withdrawal. Their earnings can also be withdrawn tax-free when theyre part of a qualified withdrawal. A qualified withdrawal is one that occurs 1) at least five years after the year you made your first Roth deferral and 2) after the date you:

• Become disabled

If you withdraw Roth 401 deferrals as part of a non-qualified withdrawal, their earnings are taxable at applicable Federal and state rates and may be subject to the 10% premature withdrawal penalty.

Additional answers to Roth questions can be found in our Roth FAQ.

Exceptions To 401 Early Withdrawal Penalty:

• You stopped working for the employer sponsoring the plan after reaching age 55
• Your former spouse is taking a portion of your 401 under a court order following a divorce
• Your beneficiary is taking a withdrawal after your death
• You are disabled
• You are removing an excess contribution from the 401
• You are taking a series of equal payments that meet certain rules under the tax laws
• You are withdrawing money to pay unreimbursed medical expenses that exceed 10% of your adjusted gross income

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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.

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Withdrawing From A Roth 401k

Most 401k plans involve pre-tax contributions, but some allow for Roth contributions, meaning those made after taxes already have been paid.

The benefit of making a Roth contribution to your 401k plan is that you already have paid the taxes and, when you withdraw the money, there is no tax on the amount gained as long as you meet these two provisions:

• You withdraw the money at least five years after your first contribution to the Roth account
• You are older than 59 ½ or you became disabled or the money goes to someone who is the beneficiary after your death

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Calculating The Basic Penalty

Assume you have a 401 plan worth $25,000 through your current employer. If you suddenly need that money for an unforeseen expense, there is no legal reason you cannot simply liquidate the whole account. However, you are required to pay an additional $2,500 at tax time for the privilege of early access. This effectively reduces your withdrawal to $22,500.

There are certain exemptions that you can use to take a penalty-free withdrawal however, you will still owe taxes on that money. These are for immediate and heavy financial needs that constitute a hardship withdrawal. Such a withdrawal can also be made to accommodate the need of a spouse, dependent, or beneficiary. These include:

• Certain medical expenses
• Home-buying expenses for a principal residence
• Up to 12 months worth of tuition and fees
• Expenses to prevent being foreclosed on or evicted
• Burial or funeral expenses
• Certain expenses to repair casualty losses to a principal residence (such as losses from fires, earthquakes, or floods

You likely will not qualify for a hardship withdrawal if you hold other assets that could be drawn from, such as a bank account, brokerage account, or insurance policy, in order to meet your pressing needs.

How Much Tax Do I Pay On An Early 401 Withdrawal

The money will be taxed as regular income. That’s between 10% and 37% depending on your total taxable income.

In most cases, that money will be due for the tax year in which you take the distribution.

The exception is for withdrawals taken for expenses related to the coronavirus pandemic. In response to the coronavirus pandemic, account owners have been given three years to pay the taxes they owe on distributions taken for economic hardships related to COVID-19.

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When A Problem Occurs

The vast majority of 401 plans operate fairly, efficiently and in a manner that satisfies everyone involved. But problems can arise. The Department of Labor lists signs that might alert you to potential problems with your plan including:

• consistently late or irregular account statements
• late or irregular investment of your contributions
• inaccurate account balance

Take An Early Withdrawal

Perhaps youre met with an unplanned expense or an investment opportunity outside of your retirement plan. Whatever the reason for needing the money, withdrawing from your 401 before age 59.5 is an option, but consider it a last resort. Thats because early withdrawals incur a 10% penalty on top of normal income taxes.

While an early withdrawal will cost you an extra 10%, it will also diminish your 401s future returns. Consider the consequences of a 30-year-old withdrawing just $5,000 from his 401. Had the money been left in the account, it alone would have been worth over $33,000 by the time he turns 60. By withdrawing it early, the investor would forfeit the compound interest the money would accumulate in the years that follow.

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Weighing Pros And Cons

Before you determine whether to borrow from your 401 account, consider the following advantages and drawbacks to this decision.

On the plus side:

• You usually dont have to explain why you need the money or how you intend to spend it.
• You may qualify for a lower interest rate than you would at a bank or other lender, especially if you have a low credit score.
• The interest you repay is paid back into your account.
• Since youre borrowing rather than withdrawing money, no income tax or potential early withdrawal penalty is due.

On the negative side:

• The money you withdraw will not grow if it isnt invested.
• Repayments are made with after-tax dollars that will be taxed again when you eventually withdraw them from your account.
• The fees you pay to arrange the loan may be higher than on a conventional loan, depending on the way they are calculated.
• The interest is never deductible even if you use the money to buy or renovate your home.

CAUTION: Perhaps the biggest risk you run is leaving your job while you have an outstanding loan balance. If thats the case, youll probably have to repay the entire balance within 90 days of your departure. If you dont repay, youre in default, and the remaining loan balance is considered a withdrawal. Income taxes are due on the full amount. And if youre younger than 59½, you may owe the 10 percent early withdrawal penalty as well. If this should happen, you could find your retirement savings substantially drained.