Leveraging Employer 401k Loan

Leveraging Employer 401k Loan

Engineer · Long Beach, CA · Member since 2013 · 59 posts · 13 votes

Assuming the employer matches 100% of the amount contributed. Knowing that a traditional tax-deferred 401k allows me to borrow up to half of investment dollars (that inclusive of company match funds), or up to $50k, as a loan. I can just “borrow” all the initially invested pre-tax dollars at a very low interest rate over the next 5 years and use it to purchase real property now.

The benefits are:
- Low interest rate (fixed).
- Your “actual” money earn before tax can be used. Means more money to invest with and compound long-term.
- Buy property now rather than later.
- All loan payments including interest goes straight back to the 401k. Pretty much paying yourself back.

The downsides are:
- Loan payments must be paid with “after tax” dollars.
- There is usually a trustee processing fee. Mine is $50.
- Must have money to pay leveraged 401k loan back.
- If you terminate with your employer, the trustee may ask for the whole loan to be paid back right away.

Just a reminder, this is not a legal or tax advice, or of such.

Any thoughts? Risky?

0Reply
163 views

Most Popular Reply

Investor · Willow Spring, NC · Member since 2013 · 788 posts · 285 votes
13y

I took a loan out against my 401k for a flip. The duration was less than 12 months and the money was back in the account. I felt my flip would (and it did) get me a much better ROI than leaving it in the account.

A couple of things to think about. You DONT need to pay it back if you leave your employer. If you don't, its considered a distribution and you get hit with the penalties and taxes. That may suck, but you don't need to pay it back.

In regards to returning the money after taxes. If I lowered my contribution to only what my employer matches and waited until I saved up (after tax dollars) to do the flip, I would have missed out on an opportunity. It was worth it to me to take the fast cash, use it and return it when I was done. Now I have paid back my 401k and I have an influx of dollars to use on future projects that I wouldn't have if I didn't borrow against it.

So, depending on your situation, it may be a good idea. I wouldn't use it for long term projects, but in the short term it worked well for me.

See this reply in the discussion

36 Replies

Jump to latestLatest
  • Real Estate Investor · Piscataway, NJ · Member since 2012 · 167 posts · 19 votes
    13y

    David Beard I do have an LLC setup in the hopes of doing wholesaling/rehabbing business, however I have not generated any income yet. I hope it will take off soon. Can I use this entity to setup my Solo 401k? Does it have to be income-generating?

  • Accountant, Enrolled Agent · Grayslake, IL · Member since 2011 · 5k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    13y

    [b]401(k)s and IRAs really confuse me. I don't know why, but I can never seem to get a grasp on them. I have some questions.

    1. If I have a Roth 401(k) currently with my employer, can I also set up a Solo 401(k) for my LLC and have both at the same time? [/b]

    Yes, you can have both types of accounts at the same time.

    2. If so can I transfer a portion of the money out of my Roth 401(k) into the Solo 401(k)?

    No, a Roth is after tax funds and must stay in after tax funds. You can open a parallell Roth Account to accompany your solo 401k.

    3. Can I setup a Solo 401(k) at $100,000 and take a loan from it for $50,000 since that is 50% of the balance?

    Yes, it is 50k or 50% whichever is less.

    -Steven

  • Investor · Cincinnati, OH · Member since 2010 · 1k+ posts · 928 votes
    13y

    Abdul R. - I would be very uncomfortable with trying to use a sponsoring company that might look like a sham/shell. It should be a viable business with activity. Steven Hamilton II, what is your view on it? Anybody can state that they intend to do business in the future.

    Also, if the IRS were to ever seek to disallow your 401k, it seems that the alternative is that you COULD have just put the money into an SDIRA without having to worry about the sponsoring-business requirement. So as long as you haven't used the 401k in a manner that gained an unfair advantage over an SDIRA (such as using the 50k loan feature or having the 401k borrow money free of UBIT), it seems unlikely that the penalty would be to "distribute" your entire plan. Steven, I'd be interested if you've come across this occurrence.

  • Residential Real Estate Broker · Madison, WI · Member since 2013 · 18 posts · 0 votes
    13y

    I hate to beat the 401K thing too death, but is it normal to have a company 401K that the company does not match at all? I have someone that would like to use his 401K (that is not being matched by his employer) to invest in rentals. It seems from what I have read here, he would be better off with the self directed 401K.... can the company keep him from rolling that over to himself as custodian?
    Sorry, I am sloooow on this topic!

  • Accountant, Enrolled Agent · Grayslake, IL · Member since 2011 · 5k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    13y

    Michele Roseland,

    Yes, they can prevent it from being rolled over. Typically funds cannot be withdrawn until the time in which employment terminates.

  • Rental Property Investor · Kansas City MO · Member since 2013 · 147 posts · 9 votes
    13y

    I've enjoyed following this thread and learned quite a bit. I did have a question that may be simple to answer and maybe not.

    Would you guys advise trying to structure a SDIRA in order to put the money down on a few properties, or would I be better served to take out a loan from my IRA which would allow me to get the down payment money for one or two more places? From what I have read trying to get a loan within an SDIRA seems like it has some hurdles.

  • Investor · Pawleys Island, SC · Member since 2008 · 1k+ posts · 837 votes
    13y
    Originally posted by Tony Tran:

    Roth IRA allows for withdrawal of contributions at the 5 year mark. I am currently looking into pre-tax contributions because it allows me to lower my AGI.

    The five year rule is related to the early withdrawal penalty on funds that were contributed to the Roth IRA through conversion from a Tradtional IRA or 401k. There is no early withdrawal penalty on withdrawal of after-tax contributions made directly to the Roth IRA .

  • Residential Real Estate Broker · Madison, WI · Member since 2013 · 18 posts · 0 votes
    13y

    Thanks Steve

  • Banker · Columbia, MO · Member since 2015 · 9 posts · 1 vote
    11y

    I am 2 years late on this thread, but want to thank everyone for the info.  Great stuff here.  I found this because I'm thinking of using my 401k as a down payment on my first flip.  

  • Terre Haute, IN · Member since 2017 · 35 posts · 6 votes
    9y

    Referencing this thread for learning more about 401k loans. Thanks everyone for contributing.

  • Professional · Carlsbad, CA · Member since 2012 · 12k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    9y

    The following IRS page is a good source for understanding the 401k participant loan rules.

    https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/retirement-plans-faqs-regarding-loans

Join the conversationCreate a free account to reply, vote on answers and follow this thread.