Protecting Your Retirement and Savings Accounts, by 720 Credit Score
From time-to-time, I give tips that extend beyond the subject of how to build credit and how to have a 720 credit score. Here’s a hot tip from a friend of mine who is a bankruptcy attorney …
Never pay off your debt by using a retirement account, education savings account, Roth IRA, IRA, or 529 plan.
Too many people who are in a financial crisis liquidate these accounts, and then turn around and declare bankruptcy. But guess what? These plans, intended as long-term savings vehicles, are protected from bankruptcy, so you would be far better off declaring bankruptcy before tapping into this accounts.
That’s right: You can declare bankruptcy and still hold onto all the money in your retirement, education savings, Roth, IRA, and 529 plans.
Of course, if you are in debt, your bank is going to try to strong-arm you into withdrawing money from all of your accounts. When this happens, just remind them that under the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005, you are legally protected from paying any debt using these accounts.
As always, I encourage my readers to be strategic about their debt-repayment plans. Sometimes, when faced with a mountain of bills, emotions and anxiety take over, and we tend to make rash decisions.
Remember that your goal is to create a long-term plan for financial stability. Try to resist getting caught-up in the short-term anxiety. Take a deep breath, and make a plan to protect your future.
Lastly, if you are struggling with your debt, it’s important to know all your options… and don’t put this off!
- Is debt consolidation right for you?
- Is bankruptcy an option?
- What other things are possible that you might not know about?
As you know, I don’t handle debt negotiations and I’m not an attorney. However, I know the best people in business!
If you would like an introduction, click here and answer some basic questions, and I’ll get you an introduction ASAP.
