Once you have cashed out your 401K, what then? You still have to deal with both Federal Reserve banks and the U.S. government
Put it towards some kind of income producing asset or skillset ... or both. It’s not guaranteed but it is all that is left.
If I don’t cash out...what then? At least if I build a business now it has a chance to succeed in the future. If I wait until the stolen 401k/IRA money can’t be paid back, I’m screwed. To whit, if you cash out your 401k early, why do you have to pay the penalty to the IRS? You have to pay the tax to the IRS, but why the penalty also?