What happens when rising costs tempt people to raid their retirement accounts early? In this episode, Evan Ward breaks down why more Americans are cutting contributions and dipping into savings—and what you should consider before making the same move. He explains how to weigh taxes, penalties, opportunity cost, and emotion-driven decisions, plus how budgeting tweaks and strategic borrowing can keep your plan on track. Evan also unpacks why cash cushions matter, when diversification goes beyond investments, and how to “stick the landing” as you transition from saving to spending in retirement.

Ready to build your retirement plan? Visit https://atlasretirement.net/ to connect with Evan and his team today!