Portfolios - Can you borrow or take part of the investment?

If you're talking about a 401k, Roth, or other IRA, then yes.

Many companies will allow you to borrow against your 401k, but it's a bad idea. If you leave the company for any reason, you usually have to repay the loan immediately and you'll probably be unable to do so and will incur a 10% penalty with the IRS. Even if you can repay it, you're losing the tax-deferred nature of the investment when you take the money out.

Once you've left the company though, you can roll it over to an IRA and take advantage of IRS code 72(t). Based on your age and a current published federal interest rate, you are eligible to take out "substantially equal periodic payments" from the investments without incurring a penalty. It won't deplete the IRA, but can bridge you over to age 59.5 when you can get at that money without incurring the 10% penalty.

It's pretty complicated, so make sure you figure out all the details before you procede.

Good luck,

Doug

Yes, if the account is a margin account. Keep in mind that for most securities allow you borrow up to 50% of their market value.