I took money out of our IRA a couple of years ago and I still hate myself for it.

It was unavoidable. But was I as smart about it as I should have been? Probably not, which is how I'm sure plenty of Americans might feel about the nearly $57 billion they prematurely withdraw from retirement plans each year.

This, in case you missed the news, is America Saves Week, and thus a good time to bring up the so-called retirement plan leakage problem. On the other hand, I'm also sure some would say this is not the moment to advance an idea that would encourage Americans to borrow more from their retirement accounts.

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