Emergency personal expense distribution
SECURE 2.0 / IRC 72(t)(2)(I) lets you take up to $1,000 once per calendar year from a 401(k) without the 10% early-distribution tax.
Amount = min(requested, $1,000 − already taken this year)
Example: $1,000 requested → $1,000 emergency and $100 of 10% tax avoided. Still ordinary income.
Related: paycheck take-home, 401(k) remaining room.