Does divorce qualify as hardship withdrawal?

Does divorce qualify as hardship withdrawal?

The need to take a “hardship distribution” is not uncommon for many people involved in a divorce. Divorces can cause financial damage to both parties, but particularly the “dependent spouse” who may not have the cash flow or immediate resources to address an urgent financial need.

Can a hardship withdrawal be denied?

Before beginning the process, you might consider discussing your financial situation and options with a financial planner. The legally permissible reasons for taking a hardship withdrawal are very limited. And, your plan is not required to approve your request even if you have an IRS-approved reason.

Can I take a 401k hardship withdrawal to pay off credit card debt?

So, in most cases, you can’t use a 401k hardship withdrawal just because you want to pay off your credit card balances. In this case, you’d be required to take out a 401k loan.

Should I use my 401k to pay off credit card 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.

Should I use Roth IRA to pay off credit card debt?

While it may be tempting, taking money out of an IRA to pay off debt is a terrible idea. Not only can that money come with outrageous early withdrawal penalties and taxes, but it’s also stealing from your future self.