CARES Act Provision Eases Access to Retirement Funds
The CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security) Act was signed by President Trump to help provide financial stability and relief for individuals and businesses affected by COVID-19.
If you need to access your 401(k) funds for coronavirus-related expenses, a BMC 401(k) Plan special provision (Section 2103) for coronavirus-related relief can help you access your funds quickly. This provision waives the 10% early withdrawal penalty for distributions up to $100,000 from qualified retirement accounts for coronavirus-related purposes.
Note: Income attributable to disaster-related distributions would be subject to tax over three years. Within those three years, you may recontribute funds to an eligible retirement plan without regard to that year’s contribution cap.
A coronavirus-related distribution is a distribution made to an individual:
- Who is diagnosed with COVID-19,
- Whose spouse or dependent is diagnosed with COVID-19, or
- Who experiences adverse financial consequences as a result of being quarantined, furloughed, laid off, having work hours reduced, being unable to work due to lack of child care due to COVID-19, closing or reducing hours of a business owned or operated by the individual due to COVID-19, or other factors as determined by the Treasury Secretary.
You can speak with a representative or start a qualifying hardship withdrdawal anytime on
NetBenefits.
Useful Links
Cashing out a 401(k) due to COVID-19? Consider these things first, from nerdwallet.com.
Visit the COVID-19 Resource Center on NetBenefits for additional information.
Confirm your account is in good hygiene with this checklist from Fidelity.