401k Contribution Timing

[want2banon]

My company makes an annual contribution to my 401k account. I will have earned the contribution for 2008 as long as I am still employed with the company on December 31, 2008. The contribution is not actually made to my account until February or March of 2009. I am thinking about leaving the company and I would like to take a cash disbursement (I realize there will be a 10% penatly and taxes withheld but I think this is still the best route for my financial situation). If I quit in January, can I wait to take the disbursement until after the contribution is made in March? I'm afraid waiting will turn my disbursement into a withdrawal which requires a reason approved by the IRS. I can't ask my employer's plan administrator these questions because I don't want them to know in January that I have one foot out the door if I have to stay until March. The contribution is worth waiting a couple of extra months to quit.

[Buenchico]

I'm sorry that this isn't a 'proper' answer but I feel compelled to point out that the Answerbank is a UK-based site. 401k schemes only operates in the USA. While we Brits are happy to help people from all over the world, you won't find many people around here with knowledge of 401k schemes, or IRS rules.

You might stand a much better chance of getting an answer to your question if you post on a US-based site. Here are a couple of possibilities for you to try:

http://answers.yahoo.com/

http://www.answerbag.com/

Chris