What You Should Know Before You Borrow from your 401k - Digest Your Finances (2024)

FAQs

What do I need to know before taking money out of my 401k? ›

Early withdrawals from an IRA or 401(k) account can be expensive. Generally, if you take a distribution from an IRA or 401(k) before age 59½, you will likely owe: Federal income tax (taxed at your marginal tax rate). 10% penalty on the amount that you withdraw.

If times get tough and you're not able to repay the loan in time, it will be counted as a withdrawal from your retirement savings. You'll have to pay income tax on the money, plus a ten percent penalty for early withdrawal if you are under age 59½ and the withdrawal did not qualify for an exception.

Most 401(k) plans allow you to borrow up to 50% of your vested account balance, but no more than $50,000. (Vested funds refer to the portion of the funds that you, the employee, own. The contributions you make from your earnings are always 100% vested.

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.

The 4% rule limits annual withdrawals from your retirement accounts to 4% of the total balance in your first year of retirement. That means if you retire with $1 million saved, you'd take out $40,000. According to the rule, this amount is safe enough that you won't risk running out of money during a 30-year retirement.

The interest rate on 401(k) loans tends to be relatively low, perhaps one or two points above the prime rate, which is less than many consumers would pay for a personal loan. Also, unlike a traditional loan, the interest doesn't go to the bank or another commercial lender. It goes to you.

Borrowing from your 401(k) should be a rare occurrence, but it can make sense if you find yourself in need of a meaningful amount of cash in the short term. It shouldn't be used for small amounts or on items that aren't absolutely necessary.

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(k) might be beneficial long-term—and could even help your overall finances.

The processing time for a 401(k) loan typically ranges between one to two weeks. However, this timeline is not fixed and can vary based on the specific procedures of your plan administrator and the completeness and accuracy of your application.

At what age is 401k withdrawal tax free? ›

Once you reach 59½, you can take distributions from your 401(k) plan without being subject to the 10% penalty. However, that doesn't mean there are no consequences. All withdrawals from your 401(k), even those taken after age 59½, are subject to ordinary income taxes.

Like 401(k) contributions, loan repayments are typically made through payroll deductions. In general, a 401(k) loan must be paid back within five years, unless the funds are used to purchase a home. In that case, you have longer. 2 You can also pay back the loan sooner without being subject to prepayment penalties.

The 7 Percent Rule is a foundational guideline for retirees, suggesting that they should only withdraw upto 7% of their initial retirement savings every year to cover living expenses. This strategy is often associated with the “4% Rule,” which suggests a 4% withdrawal rate.

Follow the 3% Rule for an Average Retirement

If you are fairly confident you won't run out of money, begin by withdrawing 3% of your portfolio annually. Adjust based on inflation but keep an eye on the market, as well.

You usually can withdraw your 401(k) contributions and maybe any matching contributions your employer has made, but not normally the gains on the contributions (check your plan). You may have to pay income taxes on a hardship distribution, and you may be subject to the 10% penalty mentioned earlier.

You can take money out before you reach that age. However, an early withdrawal generally means you'll have a 10% additional tax penalty unless you meet one of the exceptions, such as an emergency withdrawal of up to $1,000, if permitted by your plan.

Typically, the time it takes to receive a 401(k) disbursem*nt check is two to four weeks. Your 401(k) administrator will need time to process your request; then, it will take time for the check to travel through the mail system.

Key Takeaways

Traditional 401(k) withdrawals are taxed at the account owner's current income tax rate. In general, Roth 401(k) withdrawals are not taxable, provided the account was opened at least five years ago and the account owner is age 59½ or older.