If you have money problems, borrowing from your 401(k) plan seems like an easy answer. With low interest rates and immediate approval, why not take funds from your planned retirement to use for today's unexpected cash crunch?

In most cases, it's a bad idea. Shortchanging your plan will cost you a fortune. You're losing years of tax-free compounding for every dollar you borrow. If you leave your current employer, you will probably be required to pay the loan back immediately. If you fail to pay it back on time, hefty penalties and tax charges will take a big chunk of your retirement savings -- money that also could have been compounding for years.

Determine how much money you will lose by entering the information below.