The cost of cashing out retirement plans early | Equitable (2024)

FAQs

The cost of cashing out retirement plans early | Equitable? ›

If you take the money as a plan distribution before age 59½, you'll owe the IRS a 10% early withdrawal penalty. You'll also owe ordinary income tax in the year you receive the distribution.

What is the 401(k) early withdrawal penalty? If you withdraw money from your 401(k) before you're 59 ½, the IRS usually assesses a 10% tax as an early distribution penalty. That could mean giving the government $1,000, or 10% of a $10,000 withdrawal, in addition to paying ordinary income tax on that money.

If you make an early withdrawal from a traditional 401(k) retirement plan, you must pay a 10% penalty on the withdrawal. There are some exceptions to this rule, such as health expenses and life events.1 This tax is in place to encourage long-term participation in employer-sponsored retirement savings schemes.

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.

Withdrawing money early from your 401(k)—that is, before you turn 59½—comes fraught with financial risks. It's universally considered a bad idea to prematurely siphon funds from a nest egg that can help support your lifestyle in retirement or protect you in your senior years from the high cost of healthcare.

You can withdraw your contributions (that's the original money you put into the account) tax- and penalty-free. But you'll owe ordinary income tax and a 10% penalty if you withdraw earnings (i.e. gains and dividends your investments made inside the account) from your Roth 401(k) prior to age 59 1/2.

What is a 401(k) and IRA withdrawal penalty? Generally, if you withdraw money from a 401(k) before the plan's normal retirement age or from an IRA before turning 59 ½, you'll pay an additional 10 percent in income tax as a penalty. But there are some exceptions that allow for penalty-free withdrawals.

You can withdraw money from your IRA at any time. However, a 10% additional tax generally applies if you withdraw IRA or retirement plan assets before you reach age 59½, unless you qualify for another exception to the tax.

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. Relevant state income tax.

Should I cash out my 401k to pay off debt? ›

The short answer: It depends. If debt causes daily stress, you may consider drastic debt payoff plans. Knowing that early withdrawal from your 401(k) could cost you in extra taxes and fees, it's important to assess your financial situation and run some calculations first.

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.

No. The payments that you had withheld were only estimated. Your actual tax is calculated on your tax form, and takes into account all of your income, all of your deductions, and the early withdrawal penalty. You also get credit for the back up withholding as well as any other withholding and payments.

If your only option is a 401(k) withdrawal, avoid the 10% penalty by making sure that your withdrawal qualifies as a hardship or an exception under IRS rules.

Say an investor has retired with a $1 million portfolio. In her first year of retirement, under the 4% rule, she should withdraw 4% of that portfolio, or $40,000 ($1 million x 0.04). For each subsequent year, she should adjust the withdrawal amount for inflation.

Withdrawing funds from your individual retirement account (IRA) to pay off credit card debt shouldn't be your first option. Any withdrawals from a traditional IRA before the age of 59½ are subject to taxes and a 10% penalty. Roth IRAs also penalize early withdrawals.

You can withdraw money from your IRA at any time. However, a 10% additional tax generally applies if you withdraw IRA or retirement plan assets before you reach age 59½, unless you qualify for another exception to the tax.

The 4% rule is when you withdraw 4% of your retirement savings in your first year of retirement. In subsequent years, tack on an additional 2% to adjust for inflation. For example, if you have $1 million saved under this strategy, you would withdraw $40,000 during your first year in retirement.