Important Factors to Consider Before Cashing Out Your 401(k)
Mary Brosmith holds a political science degree from St. Lawrence University, and served at Massachusetts Financial Services from 1987 to 1998 as the assistant vice president and marketing manager. In her role at Massachusetts Financial Services, Mary Brosmith held several licenses from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, and worked with insurance products and mutual funds in the 401(k) market. Cashing out your 401(k) is an option available to you when changing jobs, but is typically not preferred. However, under certain circumstances, it may be best to close out a 401(k) with a previous employer. Consider the following factors when deciding whether or not to cash out your 401(k). You can only cash out your 401(k) once you leave the organization that manages your plan. If you are planning to draw from the funds before you begin a new job, it is important to note that it may take several months to receive your final distribution check. However, if you meet the specific eligibility requirements for hardship, you may be permitted to have early withdrawals. If you are considering cashing out your 401(k) plan before you are 59.5 years old, it is important to note that you will incur income and penalty taxes on your withdrawal. The funds withdrawn will be subject to a 10 percent penalty tax in addition to regular income tax. You also need to be aware of the long-term consequences of withdrawing your 401(k) funds, since the longer they remain in a tax-advantaged retirement account, the more money you will earn. The growth of your retirement savings may be significantly impacted if you withdraw the funds to address short-term financial needs. Obtaining a cash distribution from your 401(k) should be a last resort, and used only when there are no other options available.









