Retirement Account Loans
Yes, you can borrow from your retirement accounts. In special situations, there might not even be a penalty. BUT, the big question is, should you?
See the articles below for information on borrowing from an IRA or 401(k) or 403(b). Note, because tax laws can change, be sure to check if there are recent changes to laws regarding these types of loans.
Borrowing from an IRA - BankRate.com
Yes, you can (sort-of) borrow from an IRA in an emergency. And, if you pay it back quickly, there might not even be a penalty. See also: another similar article from BankRate.com.
'Loan' from IRA is a Risky Proposition
You can do a short-term withdrawal from your IRA, but be very very careful.
IRA - Wikipedia Definition
A good overview of IRAs and what you can and can't do with them.
Should You Borrow From your 401(k) or 403(b)? - SmartMoney.com
A Calculator to help you decide if it's better to borrow from your retirement plan to pay off debt or not.
Warning: 401(k) Loans are Hazardous to your Wealth - moneycentral.com
Borrowing from your 401(k) should be used as a last resort if you have no better options. See the pros and cons of this choice.
Should I Borrow from my 401(k) Plan? - BankRate.com
A calculator to help you quantify the cost of borrowing from your 401k.
Do Not Borrow From Your 401(k) - SFGate.com
The San Francisco Gate's article on 401k borrowing urges you to explore other possibilities first.
Ground your Retirement Fund with Real Estate - moneycentral.msn.com
You can own real estate in your IRA, but, it's tricky, and risky. A single mistake could mean a tax disaster.
Tapping your 401(k) - MsMoney.com
A good description of the tradeoffs in borrowing from your 401(k) plan.
The 403(b) Loan: The New Debtors' Prison? - 403bwise.com
Proceed with caution, read these problems before jumping into a 403b loan.
Real Estate can be in an IRA but Basic Rules are Critical
SeniorJournal.com discusses owning real estate in an IRA.