This Is the Biggest Mistake Young Job Changers Can Make

Cashing out your  401(k) is a bad idea at any age but can really kneecap millennials and Gen X-ers
Photographer: Getty Images
Lock
This article is for subscribers only.

Consumers who feel better about their finances and job prospects spend more, and that's a huge driver of the U.S. economy. The latest consumer sentiment numbers, which blew past the estimates in a Bloomberg survey, are a good sign.

But a rise in confidence also leads employees who are antsy in their jobs to move on—and cash out of their company's 401(k) while they're at it.