Data from Vanguard shows Americans are pulling money out of their retirement accounts early at record rates to help make ends meet. Last year, 6% of Vanguard's clients took a hardship withdrawal, which allows them to access funds in tax-advantaged retirement accounts, such as a 401(k) , before they reach retirement age. That was up from 4.8% in 2024, the asset management giant said. Taking a hardship withdrawal is not ideal for a few reasons, one of them being that investors are subject to a