Should I use my 401k to pay off debt?
Table of Contents
Should I use my 401k to pay off debt?
If you withdraw from your retirement account early, you’ll have to pay ordinary income tax plus a 10% tax penalty. Even with taxes and penalties, it may be beneficial to cash out a portion of your 401(k) to pay off a debt with an 18% to 20% interest rate.
Does borrowing from 401k affect credit score?
It won’t affect your qualifying for a mortgage, either. Since the 401(k) loan isn’t technically a debt—you’re withdrawing your own money, after all—it has no effect on your debt-to-income ratio or on your credit score, two big factors that influence lenders.
Is it smart to pay off your house with your 401k?
Utilizing funds from a 401(k) to pay off a mortgage early results in less total interest paid to the lender over time. However, this advantage is strongest if you’re barely into your mortgage term. If you’re instead deep into paying the mortgage off, you’ve likely already paid the bulk of the interest you owe.
