Withdrawing Money From Your 401(k) Plan As a Hardship Distribution
If you contribute to a company 401(k) or similar employer retirement plan, generally you cannot withdraw money from your account before you reach age 59 ½.
- You will owe income tax on the amount you withdraw, just as you would had you withdrawn it in retirement.
- And, if you are under age 59 1/2, you will probably have to pay a 10% early withdrawal penatly that's included as part of your income taxes.
Early withdrawal taxes could be imposed
Getting a hardship distribution means that you are allowed to withdraw the money before age 59 ½. It does NOT mean that taxes are waived.
The IRS considers your withdrawal an "early distribution" and imposes income taxes.
It can also assess a 10% early withdrawal tax, except in certain situations.
Which hardships qualify?
You can take a 401(k) hardship distribution if your plan allows it and you have what the IRS calls “an immediate and heavy financial need.”
- Payment needed to prevent eviction from, or foreclosure on, your principal residence.
- Certain medical expenses
- Burial or funeral expenses
- Cost of repairing damage to your principal residence
- Cost of purchasing your principal residence
- Tuition and related educational fees and expenses
Keep in mind
Your hardship can be considered immediate and heavy even if it was foreseeable or voluntary.
You cannot repay the distribution from the plan and in most cases you are not permitted to contribute to the plan for six months after the withdrawal.
How much can you withdraw?
Your hardship distribution can not exceed the amount you need, but it can include the money you need to pay any taxes and any penalties that result from the distribution.
What about retirement plans other than 401(k)s?
If you take a hardship withdrawal from you 401(k) plan before age 59 1/2, generally you must pay a 10% additional tax along with income taxes, except in these cases:
- You have unreimbursed medical expenses that are more than 7.5% of your adjust gross income.
- You, but not a family member, are deemed totally and permanently disabled.
- You are a beneficiary of a deceased person's retirement plan.
- The distribution is due to an IRS levy.
- You took the distribution as a military reservist called to active duty.
- You are receiving distributions in the form of an annuity.
- You are receiving a distribution to reduce excess contributions to a 401(k).
