How to Withdraw Money From Your 401(k)

The 401(k) has become a staple of retirement planning in the U.S. Millions of Americans contribute to their 401(k) plans with the goal of having enough money to retire comfortably when the time comes. Whether you’ve reached retirement age or need to tap your 401(k) early to pay for an unexpected expense, there are various ways to withdraw money from your employer-sponsored retirement account. A financial advisor can steer you through these decisions and help you manage your retirement savings.

Wait to Withdraw Until You’re at Least 59.5 Years Old

If all goes according to plan, you won’t need your retirement savings until you leave the workforce. By age 59.5 (and in some cases, age 55), you will be eligible to begin withdrawing money from your 401(k) without having to pay a penalty tax.

You’ll simply need to contact your plan administrator or log into your account online and request a withdrawal. However, you will owe income taxes on the money (unless you have a Roth account whose contributions have already been taxed), so a portion of each distribution should be designated to cover your tax liability. 401(k) withdrawals aren’t mandatory until April 1 of the year after you turn 72 (70.5 if you were born before July 1, 1949), at which point you must take a required minimum distribution (RMD) every year.

Do you need help figuring out your required minimum distributions? Try SmartAsset’s RMD calculator to learn more.

How to Withdraw Money From Your 401(k) Before Retirement

While it’s not ideal to withdraw money from your 401(k) before you reach retirement age due to the fees and potential lost retirement income you could have, it might be necessary. There are three main ways to withdraw money from your 401(k) before you hit retirement age. Here’s what you need to know about each.

1. Take an Early Withdrawal

Perhaps you’re 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(k) before age 59.5 is an option, but consider it a last resort. That’s 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 401(k)’s future returns. Consider the consequences of a 30-year-old withdrawing just $5,000 from his 401(k). Had the money been left in the account, it alone would have been worth over $33,000 by the time he turned 60. By withdrawing it early, the investor would forfeit the compound interest the money would accumulate in the years that follow.

2. Request a Hardship Withdrawal

In certain circumstances, you may qualify for what’s known as a hardship withdrawal and avoid paying the 10% early distribution tax. While the IRS defines a hardship as “an immediate and heavy financial need,” your 401(k) plan will ultimately decide whether you are eligible for a hardship withdrawal and not all plans will offer one. According to the IRS, you may qualify for a hardship withdrawal to pay for the following:

Medical care for yourself, your spouse, dependents or a beneficiary
Costs directly related to the purchase of your principal residence (excluding mortgage payments)
Tuition, related educational fees and room and board expenses for the next 12 months of postsecondary education for you, your spouse, children, dependents or beneficiary
Payments necessary to prevent eviction from your principal residence or foreclosure on the mortgage on that home
Funeral expenses for you, your spouse, children or dependents
Some expenses to repair damage to your primary residence

Although a hardship withdrawal is exempt from the 10% penalty, income tax is owed on these distributions. The amount withdrawn from a 401(k) is also limited to what is necessary to satisfy the need. In other words, if you have $5,000 in medical bills to pay, you may not withdraw $30,000 from your 401(k) and use the difference to buy a boat. You might also be required to prove that you cannot reasonably obtain the funds from another source.

3. Take Out a 401(k) Loan

Another option for accessing your 401(k) without incurring the 10% penalty is simply borrowing from it. Your 401(k) plan may permit you to take out a 401(k) loan and forgo the income taxes and penalty associated with an early withdrawal. While you’ll be required to repay the loan with interest within five years, you’ll be repaying yourself. And unlike a conventional loan, a 401(k) loan doesn’t show up as debt on your credit report.

However, there are potential pitfalls to this option. In the event the loan isn’t repaid according to the terms set by your plan provider, the outstanding balance will be treated as a distribution and be subject to income taxes and the early withdrawal 10% penalty.

There are other limitations, too. 401(k) loans cannot exceed $50,000 or 50% of the vested account balance. That means if you have $60,000 in your 401(k), you can borrow up to $30,000. And while normal 401(k) contributions are tax-deductible, loan payments are not.

Bottom Line

If you can, avoid withdrawing money from your 401(k) before age 59.5. Doing so can come at a great cost, including a hefty 10% penalty and the future growth of your account. 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.

Tips on 401(k) Withdrawals

Talk with a financial advisor about your needs and how you can best meet them. Finding a financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
If you’re considering withdrawing money from your 401(k) early, think about a personal loan instead. SmartAsset has a personal loan calculator to help you figure out payment methods.