Qualified distributions are allowed at age 59½, but an exception may allow you to make a penalty-free withdrawal Claire Boyte-White is the lead writer for NapkinFinance.com, co-author of I Am Net ...

To gauge the financial strain facing American consumers, economists look at several data points, including credit-card debt, restaurant spending and leisure-travel trends. But perhaps the most ...

Using your 401(k) in a crisis can cost more than you think. Learn the taxes, penalties and lost growth tied to hardship withdrawals — and better options to try.

Dipping into your 401(k) before age 59½ usually means penalties, taxes and lost earnings. But there are some exceptions.

Tapping retirement funds to pay off debt may have short- and long-term drawbacks. If you are facing a hardship, you may be eligible to withdraw some of your 401(k) funds without paying a penalty. In ...

A record share of Americans are tapping their retirement savings accounts to cover emergency expenses, according to new data from financial services firm Vanguard. In 2025, 6% of people enrolled in ...

There is a worrisome trend in 401(k) retirement plans regarding early withdrawals. According to recent data from Vanguard, more people are taking hardship withdrawals than in previous years. There are ...

(NewsNa t ion) — A strong stock market had pushed the number of 401(k) millionaires to a record high by the end of 2025, but more workers are also tapping their retirement savings to cover financial ...

Withdrawing money from your 401(k) early can result in taxes and penalties, but can also lead to a loss of investment growth. Employer-sponsored 401(k) plans allow employees to save a portion of their ...

To gauge the financial strain facing American consumers, economists look at several data points, including credit-card debt, restaurant spending and leisure-travel trends. But perhaps the most ...