The 401(k) Has Become America’s Rainy-Day Fund

Financial emergencies are pushing more Americans to break into their 401(k) accounts. 

Some 4.8% of account holders took early withdrawals last year for reasons such as preventing foreclosure and paying medical bills. That is a record high, up from a prior record of 3.6% in 2023 and a prepandemic average of about 2%, according to Vanguard Group, which administers 401(k)-type accounts for nearly five million people.