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Asset Depletion Guide

Can Retirement Accounts Be Used for Asset Depletion?

Yes — 401(k), IRA, and Roth balances often count toward Non-QM asset depletion income at a reduced percentage. Here is how Indiana investors typically treat retirement liquidity.

How Retirement Accounts Count

Asset depletion underwriting does not ignore your largest nest egg. Most Non-QM investors include employer plans and IRAs in the eligible asset pool — then apply a haircut so only a portion of the balance becomes “usable” for the income calc.

A common pattern is 60–70% of the vested balance after confirming ownership and access. That usable amount is then divided by the loan term in months to create monthly qualifying income for DTI — without requiring you to cash out the account at closing.

Ryan & Steve map each account type to the right investor: some programs are more flexible on age 59½ rules; others weight brokerage higher and retirement lower.

Guidelines vary by investor, credit, and loan amount. This overview is educational — your file is reviewed against current product rules.

Typical Haircuts

401(k) / 403(b)Often 60–70%
Traditional IRAOften 60–70%
Roth IRAOften 60–70%
SEP / SIMPLE IRAOften 60–70%
Cash / checkingOften 100%
BrokerageOften 70–100%

What Lenders Review on Retirement Accounts

Beyond the balance, underwriters confirm you can access the funds and that the account is not already pledged elsewhere.

Ownership & vesting

Statements must show the borrower or co-borrower as the account holder. Unvested employer contributions usually do not count.

Access & age rules

Some investors require you to be eligible for penalty-free withdrawals; others accept a larger haircut instead.

Recent statements

Expect two to three months of statements showing institution, balance, and your name — not a single screenshot.

No double-counting

Funds earmarked for down payment or reserves cannot also create depletion income. We separate those pools before underwriting.

Retirement vs. Brokerage in the Mix

If most of your net worth sits in retirement accounts, a larger haircut means you need a bigger balance to hit the same monthly income figure. Pairing retirement with cash and brokerage often strengthens the file.

We also check whether Social Security, pension, or other retirement cash flow can be stacked with depletion income — which may reduce how much of the IRA or 401(k) you need to count.

Quick planning tips

  • — List every retirement plan early — including old employer 401(k)s
  • — Keep statements current; stale PDFs slow underwriting
  • — Do not liquidate solely to “prove” income unless we advise it
  • — Ask about stacking SS or pension with depletion income

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can retirement accounts be used for asset depletion?

Yes — most Non-QM asset depletion programs count 401(k), traditional IRA, Roth IRA, and similar retirement accounts at a reduced percentage, commonly 60–70%, to reflect market risk and withdrawal rules.

Do I have to be age 59½ to use retirement accounts?

Not always. Some investors require age eligibility for penalty-free access; others allow retirement balances with a larger haircut. Ryan and Steve confirm the exact rule for your investor before you apply.

Are Roth IRAs treated differently than traditional IRAs?

Usually they count similarly at the same haircut percentage. The bigger distinction is liquidity and age-based access — documentation must show you own the account and can access the funds if needed.

Can I use a spouse’s retirement account?

Only if that spouse is on the loan (or the program allows co-borrower assets). Assets must be owned by the borrower or co-borrower named on the note — not a non-borrowing family member.

Want Your Retirement Accounts Counted Correctly?

Ryan & Steve will apply current haircuts to your 401(k) and IRA balances before you make an offer.