Subject: novel leading indicator?
this is a real-time measure tracked by vanguard and others. there is ZERO chance it will decrease in 2025 despite current mkt highs.
i am unaware of any macro using it within some combined leading indicator, much less how much they weight it.

"...Through the first quarter of 2025, hardship withdrawal transactions were generally in line with the 2024 trend. Given that it’s now easier to request a hardship withdrawal and that automatic enrollment is helping more workers save for retirement, especially lower-income workers, modest increases over the past several years are not surprising.
In 2024, 35% of hardship withdrawals were used to avoid a home foreclosure or eviction, which remained the most common reason for a hardship withdrawal. The second most common reason was medical expenses, as 3 in 10 hardship withdrawals were initiated for this purpose. Additionally, during the second half of 2024, there was a notable increase in hardship withdrawals used for home repair and FEMA disaster-relief purposes, likely attributable to weather-related catastrophes..."
vanguard