Congress has been increasing the number of ways which you can qualify for a hardship withdrawal. The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 made a lot of changes to the

Congress has been increasing the number of ways which you can qualify for a hardship withdrawal. The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 made a lot of changes to the rules around hardship withdrawals making it easier than ever to use them as savings accounts instead. This is why self-funded retirement is bad. It really only benefits wealthy people (who don't need the money), since regular people are going to see that balance and get the urge to spend it.