<prompt> Human: My in laws called today asking for advice. They are 60 and 62 and told me they only have 100k saved in a 401k for retirement. I dont think they have any other savings.In the last couple of years they have racked up some debt. Financed a new couch, some medical bills, F150 payment, and some credit cards. They also have around 13k left on their mortgage. All in is probably 40k worth of debt.One of them is still working, making about 40k per year and the other one is not in the best health and isnt working.They asked me what I thought of them withdrawing 40k from their 401k and paying off everything. They said the debt burden makes it difficult to get ahead and make some much needed home repairs that have been stacking up.I honestly dont know what to tell them and I am very worried for their future.Also mixed into the conversation was my mother in law saying we should thank her for her not asking my wife and I for money. She has made several of these comments in the past month since she heard my wife and I paid cash for our new to us car we are frugal, make decent livings, and avoid debt.So two part question I guess.1. Should they use any of the 401k money to pay down debt. I hear Dave Ramsey in my ear saying absolutely not, but since they are over 60 they wont be paying a penalty.2. What level of help, if any, should my wife and I be prepared in the future to provide? I dont want to be their banker, especially when they are driving around a massive F150, but I also dont want to see them struggling.  <response>: It sounds like if they are struggling, they are living beyond their means, and as much as that may suck, its not your job to bail them out. When the time comes for them to draw social securityretirement, they may have to make some changes. Perhaps they can downsize from their current home or sell off the truck and get a reasonably reliable used car. Or they may work part-time to pay the bills, even when retired.I think in your shoes, its best to stay out of the money side of things. You actually have a pretty good excuse, since you paid for your car in cash. You can easily tell them thats where all your money went, and you dont have anything left for them. And honestly, if theyre telling you youre lucky they havent asked for money, that means its just a matter of time before they do ask for money. Instead of throwing cash at them, though, you can simply help them out in other ways. My mother is terrible with money, and she often runs short, but we dont help her pay her bills or give her cash, since shed just waste it. Instead, we occasionally bring her some extra groceries, maybe buy her an outfit that we saw on sale, take her out to eat occasionally. We dont do any of that so regularly that shes come to rely on it, but when we can, we help her without actually handing the money directly to her. 