Example of a Fixed-Rate CD
A bank offers a fixed-rate CD that guarantees interest rate returns of 5%. The CD's term period is six months. Tatiana invests $1,000 in the CD. After six months, she has earned about $25 (the exact amount depends on how often the interest is compounded).
A certificate of deposit, or CD, is a type of savings account offered by banks and credit unions. You generally agree to keep your money in the CD without taking a withdrawal for a specified length of time. Withdrawing money early means paying a penalty fee to the bank.
A $1,000 CD deposit makes $50 of interest in a year if the account pays 5% APY. The CD's total balance would be $1,050 at maturity.
A Real-World Example:
If you open a $5,000, 11-month CD with a 5.25% annual percentage yield, your account would be worth $5,240 after 11 months, assuming you keep interest payments in the account for the whole CD term.
From mid-2023 to September 2024, many banks offered attractive certificate of deposit (CD) rates of around 5%. But now that the Federal Reserve has been cutting rates, CD yields are dropping too. Despite lower rates, CDs remain a solid option for growing your savings.
The amount of interest earned on a CD varies based on your deposit, CD rate and term length. For example, a $10,000 deposit in a five-year CD with 3.50% APY would earn around $1,877 in interest.
One major drawback of a CD is that account holders can't easily access their money if an unanticipated need arises. They typically have to pay a penalty for early withdrawals, which can eat up interest and can even result in the loss of principal.
Interest earned on CDs is considered taxable income by the IRS , regardless of whether the money is received in cash or reinvested. Interest earned on CDs with terms longer than one year must be reported and taxed every year, even if the CD cannot be cashed in until maturity.
There's always a catch. If you cash out your CD before it matures, you'll face a penalty—and it could cost you months or even years of interest that's been building up in your account.
There's no limit on the number of CDs you can have, and it's possible to have multiple CDs at the same bank or different financial institutions. Whether it's appropriate for you to have more than one CD depends on your financial goals and needs.
A certificate of deposit (CD) is a savings account that holds a fixed amount of money for a fixed period of time, such as six months, one year, or five years, and in exchange, the issuing bank pays interest. When you cash in or redeem your CD, you receive the money you originally invested plus any interest.
If you're looking for a fixed, predictable rate of return on your savings, a CD account can be a good option — especially when rates are still high. With some of the top earning 5-year CD rates today, you can earn over $75 in interest on a $500 deposit with no effort on your part.
Like savings accounts, CDs earn compound interest, meaning that the interest you earn—based on the fixed interest rate of the account—is periodically added to your principal. Then that new total amount earns interest of its own. APY refers to the amount you earn in one year, taking compound interest into account.
CDs are commonly taxed the year the interest income is earned and not at maturity, however, an inherited CD and its income accrued before the holder's death are not taxable for the recipient. The only part that's taxable is the interest income from the date of death.
Roth Individual Retirement Account (IRA) or Roth 401(k): Interest earned in a Roth account is not taxed until it is withdrawn. And, if you are older than age 59 ½, you will owe no income taxes at all on the interest. However, early withdrawals before age 59 ½ incur a 10% penalty in addition to any income tax due.
Key Takeaways
CDs insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) for up to $250,000 cannot lose money even if the bank fails. However, some CDs that are not FDIC-insured may carry greater risk, and risks may come from rising inflation or interest rates.
Like IRAs and 529 plans, there are a variety of investments you can buy within an HSA, and your options depend on the financial institution that holds your account. If you invest in CDs within your HSA, you can avoid paying taxes on the interest, provided you use distributions to pay for qualifying expenses.
Any amount you deposit in a CD should be money you're comfortable locking up for the full term length. First, you should have enough cash in an emergency fund to cover at least three months of expenses, and this cash should be in an account where you can access it at any time without penalty.
How much interest would you make on a $5,000 CD? We estimate that a $5,000 CD deposit can make roughly $25 to $275 in interest after one year. In comparison, a $10,000 CD deposit makes around $50 to $550 in interest after a year, depending on the bank.
However, CDs are unlikely to provide you with the returns you need to build wealth for the future or live off the interest — unless you already have a large amount of money and ladder your CDs to avoid penalties. Additionally, CDs lack the liquidity you'd need for something like an emergency fund.
Cashing out a CD usually takes one business day after the maturity date. If you need to withdraw funds before maturity, it may take longer and could involve penalties. Always check with your bank for specific timelines and rules.