401k Plan Loans - An Overview part 2

The Cons

1. There are "opportunity" costs. According to the U.S. General Accounting Office, the interest rate paid on a plan loan is often less than the rate the plan funds would have otherwise earned.
2. Smaller contributions. Because you now have a loan payment, you may be tempted to reduce the amount you are contributing to the plan and thus reduce your long-term retirement account balance.
3. Loan defaults can be harmful to your financial health. If you quit working or change employers, the loan must be paid back right away. It's not uncommon for plans to require full repayment of a loan within 60 days of termination of employment. If you can't repay the loan, it is considered defaulted, and you will be taxed on the outstanding balance, including an early withdrawal penalty if you are not at least age 59 ½.
4. There may be fees involved.
5. Interest on the loan is not tax deductible, even if you borrow to purchase your primary home.
6. You have no flexibility in changing the payment terms of your loan.

When You Probably Shouldn't Borrow From Your Plan

It is probably not wise to take out a 401k plan loan when:

1. You are planning to leave your job within the next couple of years.
2. There is a chance you will lose your job due to a company restructuring.
3. You are nearing retirement.
4. You can obtain the funds from other sources.
5. You can't continue to make regular contributions to your plan.
6. You can't pay off the loan right away if you are laid off or change jobs.
7. You need the loan to meet everyday living expenses.
8. You want the money to purchase some luxury item or pay for a vacation.

Commonly Asked Questions

What are some of the most common reasons people take out a plan loan?

If I want to borrow for a down payment on the purchase of my primary residence, do I have to pay the loan back in five years like a normal 401k loan?

No, most plans allow longer pay back terms when the loan is going to be used to purchase a primary residence. Ten to fifteen years is common.

How long do I have to pay off my loan if I quit my job?

Typically, if you quit working or change employers, it is not uncommon for plans to require full repayment of a loan within 60 days of termination of employment.

Will a 401k loan appear on my credit report?

Loans from your 401k are not reported to the credit-reporting agencies, but if you are applying for a mortgage, lenders will ask you if you have such loans and they will count the loan as debt.

If I default on my loan, will the default be reported to the credit-reporting agencies?

If you default on a 401k loan, the default will not be reported to the credit-reporting agencies and it will not negatively impact your credit rating.

If I can't afford to keep making the payments on my loan, can I stop them?

Once the loan has been made, your payments will be deducted from your pay each month and you generally can't stop this process.

If I default on my loan, how will I know the amount I must report as income on my federal tax return?

You will receive a 1099 from the plan which will show you the exact amount to report. This amount will also be reported to the IRS.

I still have a 401k account at a former employer. Can I get a loan from this old 401k?

Plans are not require to let former employee take plan loans and few allow them to do so.

Where can I learn more about how my specific plan handles 401k loans?

Talk to your plan administrator or ask them for a copy of your plans Summary Plan Description (also known as an SPD). The SPD will spell out exactly how and why you can obtain a loan from your 401k.

The Pitfalls of Taking a Loan From Your Retirement Plan - Summary: "I might need my money." This is a remark that is frequently voiced by retirement plan participants. Plan loans are one way to ensure access, but, as the author notes, there are several pitfalls related to these 401k plan loans that participants should be aware of.

Economists Want You to Stop Borrowing From Your 401k - Summary: U.S. retirement industry leaders talk about the prospect of doing away with 401k loans before younger workers follow in the footsteps of previous generations and start using their retirement account like an ATM. Workers who take out 401k loans risk not having enough saved for retirement because they miss out on growth while the money is borrowed.

Seven Reasons to Avoid 401k Loans - Summary: The flexibility offered by allowing loans is often touted as one of the good features of the 401k. However taking a loan from your 401k also carries some downsides. Here are seven reasons to avoid 401k loans.

Considering a 401k Loan? Weigh Your Options Before Borrowing - Summary: Nearly one million 401k investors initiated a loan from their account during the past year. To help pay back these loans, many investors reduce or stop saving in their 401k altogether. But there can be long-term consequences for investors who stop saving, including the potential loss of up to hundreds of dollars in monthly retirement income. Here is a good review on the issue.

Do You Really Want a 401k Loan? - Summary: In the best of all possible worlds, no one would find themselves in a situation where they need to borrow money from their future to pay current obligations. But as we all know, things happen, and there are some situations in which borrowing from your retirement savings can be better than other alternatives.

source: www.401khelpcenter.com