Can I take a 401k hardship withdrawal to pay off credit card debt? (2024)

Can I take a 401k hardship withdrawal to pay off credit card debt?

In some cases, you might be able to withdraw funds from a 401(k) to pay off debt without incurring extra fees. This is true if you qualify as having an immediate and heavy financial need, and meet IRS criteria. In those circ*mstances, you could take a hardship withdrawal.

Can you withdraw from 401k to pay off credit cards?

If you have a 401(k) plan, you can use it to pay off (or pay down) a debt. That's not to say you should. In fact, most financial planners cringe at the notion of someone who isn't close to retirement taking money out of their 401(k) for any reason.

What qualifies as a hardship for 401k withdrawal?

For example, some 401(k) plans may allow a hardship distribution to pay for your, your spouse's, your dependents' or your primary plan beneficiary's: medical expenses, funeral expenses, or. tuition and related educational expenses.

Should you stop contributing to 401k to pay off debt?

If you have low-interest rate loans and expect higher returns on the investments in your 401(k), it may be a good strategy to contribute to your 401(k) while chipping away at your debt—making sure to prioritize paying off high-interest rate debt.

Can you be denied a hardship withdrawal?

Hardship distribution for a reason not allowed by the plan

For example, if the plan states hardship distributions can only be made to pay tuition, then the plan can't permit a hardship distribution for any other reason, such as a home purchase.

What qualifies as a hardship withdrawal?

Understanding 401(k) Hardship Withdrawals

Immediate and heavy expenses include the following: Certain expenses to repair casualty losses to a principal residence (such as losses from fires, earthquakes, or floods) Expenses to prevent being foreclosed on or evicted. Home-buying expenses for a principal residence.

How do I get approved for hardship withdrawal?

The IRS states that in order to qualify for a 401(k) hardship withdrawal, you must have an "immediate and heavy financial need." Qualifying expenses for yourself, a spouse, or a dependent include the purchase or repair of a primary residence, money to prevent eviction/foreclosure, healthcare costs, 12 months' worth of ...

Do I need to show proof for hardship withdrawal?

If your plan allows hardship withdrawals, you may need to prove to your employer or self-certify that you meet your plan's requirements. If your plan doesn't allow hardship withdrawals, you may still be able to make a non-hardship early withdrawal or take out a 401(k) loan.

What happens if you lie about hardship withdrawal?

Based on these actions, the defendant faces charges of wire fraud, making false statements and concealing facts in a legal proceeding.

Can a company deny 401k hardship withdrawal?

Also, some 401(k) plans may have even stricter guidelines than the IRS. This means that even if any employee has a qualifying hardship as defined by the IRS, if it doesn't meet their plan rules, then their hardship withdrawal request will be denied.

Should I pay off credit cards before contributing to 401k?

It may be more prudent to pay off debts before saving for retirement for the following reasons: Less debt means lower monthly payments. If you work toward paying off debts and don't accrue further debt, your expenses should decrease each month. This is a wise move if you're looking to free up cash in the near future.

Is it smart to cash out retirement to pay off debt?

Should I Withdraw From My Retirement to Pay off Debt? No, you shouldn't pull money out of your 401(k) or IRA—even to pay off debt. Not only will you get hit with outrageous early withdrawal penalties and have to pay taxes on anything you take out, but you're also stealing from your future self!

Should you pay off credit card before 401k?

Key takeaways

If the interest rate on your debt is 6% or greater, you should generally pay down debt before investing additional dollars toward retirement. This guideline assumes that you've already put away some emergency savings, you've fully captured any employer match, and you've paid off any credit card debt.

Why would a hardship withdrawal get denied?

Although a financial need may be immediate and heavy even if it was reasonably foreseeable or voluntarily incurred by the employee, certain expenses do not qualify. For example, For example, expenses for the purchase of a boat or television would generally not qualify for a hardship distribution.

Will my employer know if I take a hardship withdrawal?

On an institutional level, your employer has access to these records. This means that every withdrawal from an employee 401(k), including loans and hardship withdrawals, can be known by certain company employees.

How long does it take for a hardship withdrawal to be approved?

Once you submit your hardship withdrawal application, it will be reviewed. Generally this takes less than a day. However, if there are any questions about your application, additional review time may be needed. Typically, this further review takes 5-7 business days.

Do you have to payback a hardship withdrawal?

A hardship withdrawal isn't a loan and doesn't require you to pay back the amount you withdrew from your account. You'll pay income taxes when making a hardship withdrawal and potentially the 10% early withdrawal fee if you withdraw before age 59½.

How many times a year can you do a hardship withdrawal?

While there isn't technically a limit on the number of 401(k) hardship withdrawals you're allowed in a year, you are limited by whether you qualify and whether you have enough money in your 401(k) to cover the qualifying hardship amount.

Is it better to take a loan or withdrawal from 401k?

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.

Does my employer have to approve 401k withdrawal?

Your employer plays a role in administering 401(k) plans and may need to approve withdrawals in certain situations, such as in-service withdrawals or hardship distributions.

Does a hardship withdrawal affect my credit score?

The act itself of signing up for a hardship plan has no effect on your credit. However, once you enroll, your credit scores could be indirectly affected because of the way the program works. First, your credit card issuer may put a note on your credit reports regarding your participation in its hardship plan.

Can I withdraw from my 401k if I have an outstanding loan?

However, there are circ*mstances when you can withdraw from your 401(k) if you have an unpaid loan. For example, if you leave your job or are fired, you could rollover your 401(k) to an IRA or the new employer's 401(k) even if you have an outstanding 401(k) loan.

Will the IRS audit my hardship withdrawal?

IRS doesn't audit individuals for 401(k) hardship withdrawals, AS LONG AS the employer sponsor of the plan and it's administrator (your employer and Fidelity) have approved it. The entity that will be audited is the plan/sponsor/ administrator.

Is COVID still a hardship for 401k withdrawal?

Section 2022 of the CARES Act allows people to take up to $100,000 out of a retirement plan without incurring the 10% penalty. This includes both workplace plans, like a 401(k) or 403(b), and individual plans, like an IRA. This provision is contingent on the withdrawal being for COVID-related issues.

What is considered high interest debt?

Although there is no strict definition for high-interest debt, many experts classify it as anything above the average interest rates for mortgages and student loans. These typically range between 2% and 7%, meaning that interest rates of 8% and above are considered high.