 To be a card-carrying personal finance expert, it always seems to be that you have to say, of course, you should never, ever tap that retirement savings account. And of course, it is best to let your retirement savings compound over the long haul. Look, emergencies happen. And the big reason behind the lack of savings isn't heedless shopping by consumers, but the long-term slowdown in household income growth. So the option will let some workers get themselves out of a tough financial spot,