401(K)s Tapped to save Homes

401(K)s Tapped to save Homes

www.usatoday.com

Struggling to save their homes from foreclosure, more Americans are raiding their 401(k) retirement accounts to pay their bills — and getting slammed with taxes and penalties in the process, according to retirement plan administrators.
Rather than borrow money from their 401(k) accounts, which would have to be paid back, a growing number of beleaguered families have been cashing out, plan administrators say.

This is happening even as borrowing from 401(k) accounts remains fairly flat. Fewer still are borrowing from 401(k) plans to buy homes. By contrast, new figures from plan administrators show the number of 401(k) "hardship withdrawals" is up in early 2008 compared with the same period last year.

The main reason? The need to stave off foreclosure or eviction.

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So much for the 'golden years' eh? Instead of retiring off of your savings, you'll be using it to keep from living under a bridge or in a tent. Awesome times.

www.usatoday.com
(visit the link for the full news article)