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Re:Analyzing the monetary component of employee benefits at ... by kmonsen on Thursday March 30, 2017 @10:39AM (#13995713)
No, this is your money. 401k (including matching $) is paid into an account you control. You can use it anytime, but if you do before some age (65?) there will be tax penalties.
Re:Analyzing the monetary component of employee benefits at ... by Jtsummers on Thursday March 30, 2017 @12:17PM (#13996673)
59 1/2. For Traditional 401(k), you owe the taxes on it and an additional penalty if you withdraw early. You're required to take distributions from it starting at 70 (69 1/2?), because the feds want their tax dollars.

Roth 401(k) plans are less common, you'd owe a penalty but not taxes since it's pre-tax money. No mandatory distributions because they've already gotten your money.

IRAs are the same. HSAs (mentioned elsewhere) are tax-free if distributions are spent on medical costs. For non-medical costs, you owe taxes and a penalty. After age 65 you'd only owe taxes.