Ever get such bad news you want to vomit??

My phone call happened when I was in the shower today. I was told I cant cash out my 401****il I have the operation and the medical bills are 2 weeks past due then the will cut a check for me. Just like that I wanted to vomit! As we all here now that is never going to happen. You dont get wls with a hope and a prayer that you can pay for it later. I have almost exhausted every corner.... 1. cant finance 2. cant cash out 401K 3. job cannot purchase rider for insurance 4. insurance is a bag of douches and wont pay .............. I am so sick over this. I CANT go on this way! I cant ! I sobbed for an hour looking at my pathetic reflection in the mirror. I have had such a positive attitude, I have been doing so well knowing it was possible. Knowing that the pain, hormonal issues, and depression associated with being obese was soon to be gone. I dont want to accept that I cant do this....but it is looking like I wont be able to. God that makes me sick! Have I said I cant go on this way?????URRGH!

what about taking out a medical loan? or charging it?

What about a 401K loan. Most 401's allow you to borrow against them.

Shannon How Medically Obese are you? I quot my Job and put myself on a Medical Leave of Absence from my Profession. Thus applied and got on Social Security Disability and two years later received Medicare. Yes it took me 4 years of planning and stretching my savings to make ends meet to get healthier. In your case Could you live on & pay for your Surgery with what you've saved in your 401k. As another friend of mine quit her job to get her 401k. Is barely getting by but figures once she's lost some she'll get another job maybe even better than her last one. The last two suggestions are great ideas too. Keep searching and you'll receive soon. Mike

That is simply crazy. I believe according to law you can cash out your 401 with a 20% penality at any time. There is not restrictions. If you really want this surgery I'd check it out further if your insurance doesn't cover it. Liz

Hi Shannon, I log onto Obesity Help all the time and because of your message I finally decided to create a username so that I could respond to you. I know you received unfriendly news about your 401k but there may still be options. I'm in the financial industry and there are laws regarding 401k withdrawals. It sounds like they considered your withdrawal under the hardship rules. The problem with hardship is they only help you out when you're at rock bottom (i.e.: medical bills past due, eviction notice already issued). There is, however, another route. Legally, you are entitled to make withdrawals on the portion you have contributed to your 401k without being subjected to the hardship requirements. A general withdrawal will typically only allow you to withdraw the funds that you actually put into the account so any employer contributions will be off limits. If your plan doesn't currently provide you with the dollar amount of your contributions you can call them to obtain that amount. Once you make the withdrawal you must pay it back to yourself and it will be subject to current market interest rates. It may sound scary but general 401k rates are better than personal loan interest rates. I think you should go back to them and find out how much you have to work with under that avenue. GOOD LUCK!!!