bankruptcy or foreclosure first

Can creditors attach to my retirement plan foreclosures or bankruptcy?
My husband and I have just lost our jobs and we own 3 properties that are not worth what is owed on them. We have great credit scores but cannot get the banks to talk to us about alternatives to keeping the properties at a reduced payment or sellling on short sale. We have to ruin our credit first and then they might talk to us… We have have the properties on the market but cannot sell without going to the table with large amounts of cash.
If these properties foreclose or we go into bankruptcy.. Can the creditors attach or take our retirement savings to satify debt?
thanks for your help..
I believe that retirement accounts are safe as long as you leave the money within them. But don’t take legal advice here; consult an attorney.
