AboutLouis Schwarz, QFP, CFP®, RFC®. ChFEBC Expertise Over 36 years experience - discretionary investment management, advisory service, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, annuities, IRA, Roth, 403(b), 401k, tax planning, tax preparation, retirement planning, tax reduction, life insurances. I hold five professional designations: QFP, CFP, RFC, ChFEBC, and Paladin Registered Advisor with a professional rating of five stars.
Experience First deaf Certified Financial Planner licensee (http://www.cfpboard.org/), General Securities Registered Representative (Series 7)(http://www/finra.org), Registered Financial Consultant (http://www.iarfc.org/), Registered Investment Advisor, Qualified Financial Planner (http://www.iaqfp.org/), Admitted to Paladin Registry of Personal Financial Advisors (http://www.paladinregistry.com/); Chartered Federal Employee Benefits Consultant (http://www.chfebc.com/); Licensed Life, Health, & Disability Agent
Organizations Financial Planning Association, International Association of Registered Financial Consultants, National Association of Deaf, Alexander G. Bell Association of the Deaf, National Deaf Business Institute
Education/Credentials Gallaudet University, College for Financial Planning
Awards and Honors Who's Who in Finance and Industry, Who's Who in the World, NAD Flying Fingers Award, MDAD Distinguished Award, MCAD Business of Year, Montgomery (MD) County Business Award, 2007 Outstanding Business Person of the Year, Gallaudet University Department of Business
Question Your response was helpful. I am 58 and have heavy unsecured debt associated
with 5 college loans for our kids and an enormously expensive roof repair to our
house last year. Before income tax rates increase, I would like to pay down those
debts with the 401k. The penalty is less bothersome if I can become debt free
sooner. Are either eligible for making the withdrawal before 59 1/2?
Answer Dear jim,
The answer may be no because you may not qualify to take a penalty-free withdrawal if you do not meet one of the following exceptions:
You become totally disabled.
You are in debt for medical expenses that exceed 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income.
You are required by court order to give the money to your divorced spouse, a child, or a dependent.
You are separated from service (through permanent layoff, termination, quitting or taking early retirement) in the year you turn 55, or later.
You are separated from service and you have set up a payment schedule to withdraw money in substantially equal amounts over the course of your life expectancy. (Once you begin taking this kind of distribution you are required to continue for five years or until you reach age 59 1/2, whichever is longer.)
