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By Debbie Carlson
Ticker Tape Contributor

Large Life Purchases: Is Using a 401(k) Loan a Good Idea?

If you're thinking of borrowing from your 401k to fund a large purchase like a home, consider the 401k loan rules, pros, and cons carefully.

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5 min read

Key Takeaways

  • Weigh all your options, including taking a bank loan or IRA withdrawal
  • Inquire about the loan provisions for your employer’s 401(k) plan
  • Keep contributing to your 401(k) plan while you repay the loan
  • Know the terms of your loan including repayment rules and potential penalties

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Are you thinking of making a big purchase, like buying your first house, but uncertain how to fund a down payment?

If you haven’t been able to save enough to swing the costs for a big purchase—something that might require tens of thousands of dollars—what are your loan options?

If you have a 401(k) with a sizable balance, you could consider taking out a 401(k) loan. But before you do that, be sure to weigh the potential benefits and costs of tapping your retirement account.

Everyone’s situation is different, but here are some general tips to help you if you want to start thinking about taking a 401(k) or a 403(b) loan.

Know the Terms

Josh Alpert, owner and president of Alpert Retirement Advising in Southfield, Michigan, says there are two reasons why most people take a 401(k) loan: to fund a big life purchase, or because they’ve had some sort of hardship and need access to cash. He says in general, a loan can be up to 50% of the vested balance, as much as $50,000.

There are pros and cons to taking out a 401(k) loan for a major life purchase. Alpert says two of the biggest pros are that the money is easy to access and there’s no credit check needed. “You don’t have to go through a bank, and it’s a quick process. Once you’ve drawn out the money, you have about a five-year period to pay it back,” he says. And if you borrow to purchase a home, that five-year period can be stretched, he says.

Borrowing from Yourself = Paying Yourself the Interest

Loan rates can be low. According to 401khelpcenter.com, many loans are calculated by using the prime rate, plus 1%. Because it’s a loan, as long as you keep current on the payments, it’s not subject to the 10% penalty for early withdrawals (see Avoid Missed Payments below). And, unlike when you borrow money from a bank, you’re paying the interest to yourself, which might make those interest payments a bit more palatable.

But you can’t just smash your 401(k) piggy bank, take the money, and think you’re done. There are 401(k) loan rules that must be followed to avoid hefty penalties. And there are downsides to taking a 401(k) loan.

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Watch those Fees, and Avoid Missed Payments

Although you have five years to pay back the loan, repayments start right away after you take out the money, according to 401khelpcenter.com. (The money is usually deducted from your paycheck.) There may also be fees involved in taking the loan. 

Alpert says if you miss a loan payment after 90 days, it’s a default, and the full value of the loan becomes taxable. If you’re younger than 59 1/2, you are also subject to a 10% Internal Revenue Service tax penalty.

For loans taken before 2018, if you lose or quit your job during the payback period, then the entire amount has to be repaid in 60 days. If it’s not, then the loan goes into default, the amount becomes taxable, and the penalties for those under 59 1/2 apply. For new loans taken after Jan. 1, 2018, workers have a little more time to payback an outstanding loan once they stop working. When you leave a job, you have until October of the following year (the due date of your tax return on extension) to put the money back into your 401(k).

And remember, if you withdraw funds from a 401(k), it also means that money can’t grow for your retirement (aside from the interest you’ll be paying yourself), Alpert says. Your account balance is actually liquidated to pay you your loan.  

There are alternatives to cashing out a 401(k). You could take out an IRA or Roth IRA withdrawal, and there’s no need to repay it. But unlike the 401(k) loan, the money will be taxable immediately. Plus, if you’re under age 59 1/2, you’ll incur a 10% penalty for early withdrawal.

The upshot? A loan from your 401(k) can be a viable option if you’re looking for cash to help fund a big purchase. But if you think you might be leaving your current job soon, or you’re not willing to sacrifice the potential growth of your retirement savings, you might want to think twice before proceeding. 

Remember you can borrow from a bank for a house or even a child’s education expenses, but you can’t borrow from the bank to fund your retirement. Before making a final decision, consider working with a tax-planning or financial professional to understand the potential impact a 401(k) loan could have on your retirement savings and tax bill. 
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