RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 New Evidence on the Effect of Economic Shocks on Retirement Plan Withdrawals JF The Journal of Retirement FD Institutional Investor Journals SP 7 OP 19 DO 10.3905/jor.2019.1.046 VO 6 IS 4 A1 Teresa Ghilarducci A1 Siavash Radpour A1 Anthony Webb YR 2019 UL https://pm-research.com/content/6/4/7.abstract AB Using data from the Survey for Income and Program Participation (SIPP), this study investigates the relationship between withdrawals from 401(k) and IRA accounts and household-level economic shocks such as job loss, job change, divorce, and the onset of poor health. Workers in low-wage households are more likely to withdraw from their accounts than those in middle and high-income households, in part because they are more likely to withdraw when they experience a shock and also experience more shocks. Shocks are associated with about 20% of all retirement account withdrawals and exacerbate pre-existing inequalities in financial preparation for retirement.TOPICS: Retirement, legal/regulatory/public policy