Should You Take a Withdrawal or a Loan From Your 401(k)? (2024)

FAQs

Should You Take a Withdrawal or a Loan From Your 401(k)? ›

Key takeaways

An advantage of a 401(k) loan over a withdrawal is you don't pay ordinary income taxes or face potential additional taxes on the borrowed amount. You must repay the loan along with interest, per the loan terms; but on the bright side, repayments replenish your plan account — you're essentially repaying yourself.

Two viable options include 401(k) loans and hardship withdrawals. A 401(k) loan is generally more attainable than a hardship withdrawal, but the latter can come in handy during times of financial strife. A financial advisor could help you put a financial plan together for your retirement needs and goals.

Sometimes, it may be your best option for handling a current cash need or an emergency. Interest rates are generally low (1 or 2 percent above the prime rate) and paperwork is minimal. But a 401(k) loan is just that—a loan. And it needs to be paid back with interest.

Deferring Social Security payments, rolling over old 401(k)s, setting up IRAs to avoid the mandatory 20% federal income tax, and keeping your capital gains taxes low are among the best strategies for reducing taxes on your 401(k) withdrawal.

401(k) withdrawals

Pros: You're not required to pay back withdrawals of the 401(k) assets. Cons: Hardship withdrawals from 401(k) accounts are generally taxed as ordinary income. Also, a 10% early withdrawal penalty applies on withdrawals before age 59½, unless you meet one of the IRS exceptions.

Unlike other loans, 401(k) loans generally don't require a credit check and do not affect a borrower's credit scores. You'll typically be required to repay what you've borrowed, plus interest, within five years. Most 401(k) plans allow you to borrow up to 50% of your vested account balance, but no more than $50,000.

Key Takeaways

In general, a hardship withdrawal from a 401(k) should be a last resort in order to protect your retirement savings. While the IRS sets general guidelines, individual 401(k) plans determine whether and how hardship withdrawals are allowed for participants.

When will the loan be due? The “termination date” will either be your last day of employment with the company or the date your employer set as the last day the plan is active. You must pay off the loan in full no later than 90 days from the termination date.

Loans are not taxable distributions unless they fail to satisfy the plan loan rules of the regulations with respect to amount, duration and repayment terms, as described above. In addition, a loan that is not paid back according to the repayment terms is treated as a distribution from the plan and is taxable as such.

Is it smart to borrow from 401k to pay off debt? ›

After other borrowing options are ruled out, a 401(k) loan might be an acceptable choice for paying off high-interest debt or covering a necessary expense. But you'll need a disciplined financial plan to repay it on time and avoid penalties.

Overall, you should only take on a loan from your 401(k) if you have exhausted all other funding options because taking money out of your 401(k) means you're hindering it from the most growth over time. You'll be missing out on the power of compound interest when you take money out of your retirement account.

You may not get approved: Those nearing retirement may be considered “higher risk” and thus denied a 401(k) loan because payments will no longer automatically come out of their paychecks.

If you haven't reached age 59½, an early 401(k) withdrawal could trigger penalties and taxes, as well as impact your retirement savings in the long term. Still, if you're considering tapping into your retirement funds, here's what you need to know.

Eliminating debt can bring immediate financial relief, but dipping into your 401(k) or IRA to do so can jeopardize your future financial security. While the idea of becoming debt-free might be appealing, tapping your 401(k) or IRA is generally a bad idea.

The only time you should withdraw money from or cash out your 401(k) is to avoid bankruptcy or foreclosure—and that's only if you've exhausted all other options, like taking on extra jobs and a short sale on your house.

But if you have an urgent need for the money, see whether you qualify for a hardship withdrawal or a 401(k) loan. Borrowing from your 401(k) may be the best option, although it does carry some risk. Alternatively, consider the Rule of 55 as another way to withdraw money from your 401(k) without the tax penalty.

Paying off your mortgage may not be in your best interest if: You have to withdraw money from tax-advantaged retirement plans such as your 403(b), 401(k) or IRA. This withdrawal would be considered a distribution by the IRS and could push you into a higher tax bracket.