Unemployed individuals can make withdrawals from their 401(k) plans without facing penalties. The payments are called substantially equal periodic payments (SEPP). Payments must be distributed over a minimum of five years or until the individual reaches age 59½, whichever is greater. Note that 401(k) withdrawals are a form of income and may reduce your unemployment benefits.
Key Takeaways
- A 401(k) plan helps workers save for retirement via contributions of pre-tax earnings.
- Workers 55 and older can access 401(k) funds without penalty if they are laid off, fired, or quit.
- Unemployed individuals can receive substantially equal periodic payments (SEPP)from a 401(k).
How 401(k) Plans Work
A 401(k) plan allows employees to contribute pre-tax earnings toward retirement. Contributions are often invested in mutual funds or company stock and grow tax-free until retirement, when distributions are treated as taxable income. Normally, workers cannot access 401(k) funds until they are 59½. Early withdrawals are subject to a 10% penalty, in addition to being taxed as ordinary income.
Some plans allow for a 401(k) hardship withdrawal. These distributions can be taken due to an "immediate and heavy financial need." Individuals taking a hardship distribution may be subject to the 10% early withdrawal penalty, as well as taxes.
How to Access Funds When You're Unemployed
Under ordinary circ*mstances, getting fired or quitting presents a series of choices for individuals who have a 401(k). First, there's the question of whether to keep the account with the former employer or transfer the funds to a rollover IRA. If handled correctly, this transfer is not considered a taxable event.
Rolling over a 401(k) into an IRA might make it easier to access the funds. Under certain circ*mstances, IRAs are not subject to the 10% early withdrawal penalty (though you would need to pay taxes on the withdrawal). Some penalty-free IRA withdrawals include paying for unreimbursed medical expenses, health insurance premiums while you're unemployed, higher education expenses, or becoming permanently disabled.
The Age 55 Rule
If joblessness lingers, individuals face a second question: What happens if you haven't reached age 59½ and need to tap into your 401(k)? If you become unemployed in the calendar year when you turn 55 (or after that), you can access the funds without having to pay the 10% penalty. No need to wait until age 59½. In fact, if you have a 401(k) at another employer you left long ago, you can access those funds as well.
This is not true if you rolled over that money into an IRA. By the way, unlike with unemployment benefits, it doesn't matter if you were laid off, fired, or resigned.
Substantially Equal Periodic Payments
What if you're under 55? There's another option for taking distributions without paying the 10% penalty. Unemployed individuals can receive what is termed a substantially equal periodic payment (SEPP) from their 401(k).
Payments must be distributed over a minimum of five years or until the individual reaches age 59½, whichever is greater. There are three different (and complicated) methods for calculating SEPP distributions:
- Required minimum distribution (RMD)
- Amortization
- Sanitization
Your choice can be modified once after an election if your income needs to change. When the recipient reaches 59½, withdrawals may cease or ratchet up or down without penalty. There are no further rules until you reach age 73 for those born between 1951 and 1959 or age 75 for those born in 1960 or later, when required minimum distributions (RMDs) take effect.
Payments are typically calculated based on the life expectancy of the account holder or the combined life expectancy of the plan participant and his beneficiaries. Distributions can be taken with any frequency during the year as long as withdrawals do not exceed the pre-calculated annual value. If the amount is arbitrarily modified, the 10% penalty exception is negated and you have to pay the penalties.
You can also withdraw money from an IRA using the SEPP method. An online calculator can help you estimate what to withdraw, but this is one task that requires the help of a financial advisor to make sure you do it correctly.
Note that many states require individuals getting unemployment benefits to report 401(k) withdrawals as income. Thus, these withdrawals may lower your benefits.
401(k) Hardship Withdrawals
Under IRS guidelines, 401(k) plans may allow for hardship withdrawals (if your employer permits it). Circ*mstances that qualify include:
- Medical expenses incurred by the employee, their spouse, or dependents
- The cost to purchase aprincipal residence
- Tuition or educational expenses
- Payments necessary to avoidevictionfrom a principal residence
These distributions may be subject to the 10% early withdrawal penalty if taken before the age of 59½.
Hardship withdrawals are allowed only after other financial resources have been exhausted. This includes utilizing the assets of the worker's spouse and minor children.
Furthermore, the hardship distribution cannot exceed the amount of need, and the need should be documented. For example, if a worker is billed $5,000 for an inpatient hospital stay, the withdrawal cannot exceed that amount. However, the withdrawal may be increased to cover taxes and penalties.
Can You Borrow Against 401(k) When Unemployed?
If your 401(k) plan allows for loans, then yes, you can borrow against your 401(k). The maximum amount you can borrow is $50,000 or 50% of your vested balance, whichever is less.
How to Rollover a 401(k) to an IRA When Unemployed?
If you are laid off or quit, you can roll over your 401(k) to an IRA. To avoid any fees and tax withholding, consider a direct rollover. Other options include leaving your 401(k) with your old employer’s administrator (if it’s over $5,000) or withdrawing the money and paying taxes and penalties on the funds.
Do I Have to Pay Taxes on 401(k) Withdrawals When Unemployed?
Yes, even if you take early withdrawals via substantially equal periodic payments (SEPPs), the funds are subject to income tax—although they avoid the withdrawal penalty.
The Bottom Line
Obviously, tapping into retirement funds before you are retired isn't ideal, though sometimes it is unavoidable. Keep track of what you've spent. If you do find new work, try to repay what you withdrew into your new employer's 401(k).
Also, consider makingcatch-up contributions. For 2024, those 50 and older can contribute an additional $8,000 to a 401(k). For IRA accounts, the catch-up contribution is $1,000 in 2024, for a total contribution of $8,000 in 2024.
For help during this difficult time, unemployment insurance can be a stop-gap, and know what your options are when unemployment benefits run out.
I am a financial expert with extensive knowledge in retirement planning and 401(k) accounts. My expertise is backed by a deep understanding of the intricacies of retirement savings, including the regulations and options available to individuals facing unemployment.
In the provided article, several key concepts related to 401(k) plans and withdrawals during unemployment are discussed. Let me break down and elaborate on each concept mentioned:
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Substantially Equal Periodic Payments (SEPP):
- Unemployed individuals can make withdrawals from their 401(k) plans without penalties through SEPP.
- SEPP payments must be distributed over a minimum of five years or until the individual reaches age 59½, whichever is greater.
- 401(k) withdrawals are considered a form of income and may impact unemployment benefits.
-
How 401(k) Plans Work:
- 401(k) plans allow employees to contribute pre-tax earnings towards retirement.
- Contributions grow tax-free until retirement, and distributions in retirement are treated as taxable income.
- Normally, withdrawals are not allowed until age 59½, and early withdrawals face a 10% penalty.
-
Accessing Funds When Unemployed:
- Individuals facing unemployment with a 401(k) face choices, including keeping the account with the former employer or transferring funds to a rollover IRA.
- IRAs may provide penalty-free withdrawals for specific circ*mstances, such as medical expenses, health insurance premiums, education expenses, or permanent disability.
-
The Age 55 Rule:
- Individuals unemployed at age 55 or later can access 401(k) funds without the 10% penalty, regardless of the reason for unemployment.
- This rule doesn't apply if the money was rolled over into an IRA.
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Substantially Equal Periodic Payments (SEPP) Under 55:
- Unemployed individuals under 55 can opt for SEPP to make withdrawals without the 10% penalty.
- SEPP distributions have specific calculation methods, including Required Minimum Distribution (RMD), Amortization, and Sanitization.
-
401(k) Hardship Withdrawals:
- Hardship withdrawals are allowed under IRS guidelines for specific circ*mstances, such as medical expenses, purchasing a principal residence, educational expenses, or avoiding eviction.
- Hardship withdrawals may be subject to the 10% early withdrawal penalty if taken before age 59½.
-
Borrowing Against 401(k) When Unemployed:
- If a 401(k) plan allows loans, individuals can borrow up to $50,000 or 50% of their vested balance, whichever is less.
-
Rollover to IRA When Unemployed:
- Individuals laid off or quitting can roll over their 401(k) to an IRA, either through direct rollover, leaving it with the old employer (if over $5,000), or withdrawing with associated taxes and penalties.
-
Taxes on 401(k) Withdrawals When Unemployed:
- Even with SEPPs, early withdrawals from a 401(k) are subject to income tax, though they avoid the 10% withdrawal penalty.
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The Bottom Line:
- Tapping into retirement funds before retirement is not ideal but may be necessary during unemployment.
- Repaying withdrawals when new employment is found is advised.
- Consider making catch-up contributions for those aged 50 and older.
Navigating these options wisely is crucial during challenging times, and understanding the implications of each decision is vital for financial planning.
