When you need money in a hurry and you don't have enough cash on hand, dipping into your 401(k) might seem like the logical option. There's no need to deal with loan paperwork, and you don't have to ...

There's usually a 10% early withdrawal penalty if you take money out of your 401(k) under age 59 1/2. The Rule of 55 lets you take funds from your most recent employer's 401(k) without penalty if you ...

A large portion of employees withdraw their entire 401(k) balance when they leave a job rather than rolling it over to their ...

Tapping a 401(k) before age 59 and 1/2 usually results in an early withdrawal penalty. A special rule might allow you to access your 401(k) without a penalty at 55. It’s important to know how this ...

To minimize taxes and avoid penalties, here are three things retirees must do before taking their first retirement account ...

Early 401(k) withdrawals are those you make under age 59 1/2 without a qualifying reason. You'll pay a 10% early withdrawal penalty on top of ordinary income taxes. Consider early 401(k) withdrawals ...

When times are tough and household budgets are under severe strain, taking cash out of your 401(k) plan can provide some relief. However, it’s best to be cautious, as there are specific rules related ...

When an unexpected financial crisis hits, an emergency fund is the ideal safety net to cover surprise expenses. However, an alternative—and sometimes the only option—for relief is your retirement ...

There’s a reason retirement savers are generally required to wait until age 59 and 1/2 to access the money they have in a 401(k). The IRS offers some pretty nice tax breaks to people making 401(k) ...