Is a 401k Hardship Withdrawal Worth It? Best 2026 Numbers

is a 401k hardship withdrawal worth it, chart showing the real cost of a $10,000 withdrawal vs 25-year growth

Is a 401k hardship withdrawal worth it, or is the paperwork hiding a much bigger cost than the balance you see on the screen? Fidelity’s Q2 2026 retirement analysis found average account balances at a record high — $155,800 in the average 401(k), up 10% from the first quarter — but a growing share of … Read more

Is It Normal to Take a 401(k) Loan? Best 2026 Numbers

is it normal to take a 401(k) loan

Is it normal to take a 401(k) loan, or does reaching into retirement savings mean something’s gone wrong? A new report released this week by Fidelity says both things are true at once. The average 401(k) balance hit $155,800 in the second quarter of 2026, up 13% from a year earlier, and the average IRA … Read more