By Sequoia
Cashing 401k accounts is typically frowned upon in the investment world. However, many people do it and it can sometimes provide you with benefits. If you are considering cashing out your retirement account for investment purposes, here are a few things to consider.
Alternative Investments
Sometimes you want to invest in something that you simply cannot invest in through your 401k. When this happens, it may become necessary for you to cash out the account and invest. For example, you might want to invest in a start-up company or some other type of investment that you are unable to choose with a 401k. When this happens, the only way to go about doing it is to cash out your account.
Investment Considerations
When you take this step, you need to be very sure about the investment that you are making. When you cash out your retirement account, you are playing a very dangerous game with your ability to retire the future. Therefore, this should basically be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you to get involved in a solid investment. Since you will have to pay a 10% early distribution penalty and taxes on the money that you take, you should at least be able to recoup that cost through your investment.
