Savings for maintenance?

This might be a dumb question, so bear with me here!

Okay, I know that I have to provide bank statements and payslips for a spousal visa, but could a retirement fund be used to show maintenance too?

This is just an example:

So say I had 15000 in my retirement fund and about 500 in a savings account.
Would that work to prove that requirement?

I believe the funds have to be in an accessible account, such as a savings or checking. Someone who has more knowledge than myself will likely be along soon but that was my understanding of the rule -- retirement accounts take time to liquidate and weren't eligible.

Thanks!

On the application, it asks about retirement/investment accounts. I put my total on there but didnt attach a statement for my 401k or my investment accounts. I went back and forth on whether to include it but we met the maintenance without it so I didnt include it. As for whether you can use it or not, I would assume you could. A 401k can be cashed out (even though you will be taxed heavily) when you quit your job, which you would be when you move so I would think it could be used. If you go this route, I would just make a statement saying thats what you are doing and the total will be $ after taxes. I would take 40% for taxes.

The problem is the guidance which states that funds need to be "immediately available". This is the part of the guidance that I was under the impression that retirement accounts do *not* meet.

But they are immediately available if you quit your job so I guess it just depends on your situation.

The problem is that 401k and other retirement plans are usually invested in stocks and other investments that can vary in value on any given day.  So you can't accurately predict the value on the day you will redeem them.  If there is a large market movement, the value can change dramatically and then you could have much less than you originally thought.  So it's not really appropriate to use these as maintenance unless you cash them out first and know what they are worth.

Also it's not a given that you can cash out of a retirement plan if you quit your job.  The rules are different for each plan and employer.

As long as its a 401k, you can cash it out. A pension depends on the company.