Vanguard recently released its 2025 report on how America saves. It revealed that a record 4.8% of 401(k) holders took a hardship withdrawal in 2024, up from 1.7% in 2020. Over a third (35%) of ...

So, you’ve done a good job of saving for retirement and have a nice balance in your retirement account. Then a problem comes up and you are unable to pay a rather large financial obligation. There ...

When faced with a financial emergency, Americans are increasingly tapping their retirement accounts to come up with the cash. Last year, some 4.8% of plan participants took hardship withdrawals from ...

Readers have asked us regularly over the last few weeks about penalty-free 401(k) hardship withdrawals. Taking a chunk from their retirement savings would tide them over through the recession, they ...

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We've received several e-mails from readers who say they're facing difficult times financially and want to know the status of Obama's pledge to ease penalties for early withdrawals from 401(k) ...

Jordyn joined Investopedia in February 2025. She was previously a freelance writer covering lifestyle, entertainment, politics in the Midwest, and more. draganab / Getty Images One-third of ...

Vanguard recently released its 2025 report on how America saves. It revealed that a record 4.8% of 401(k) holders took a hardship withdrawal in 2024, up from 1.7% in 2020. Be Aware: I’m a Financial ...