Can you take money out of a CD at any time?
Federal law sets a minimum penalty on early withdrawals from CDs, but there is no maximum penalty. If you withdraw money within the first six days after deposit, the penalty is at least seven days' simple interest.
If you need to access your CD funds early, you typically must pay an early withdrawal penalty. Consider a no-penalty CD or a high-yield savings account if you still want higher yields without the risk of a withdrawal penalty.
A certificate of deposit generally keeps your money under lock and key for a fixed term and rate and you can't make additional contributions. In exchange for losing access, CDs tend to have higher rates than other savings accounts.
At the end of this period, the CD will mature and your bank or credit union will release your money, along with the interest you've earned. At this point, you can take out the money, deposit it in another account, or roll it over into another CD.
The biggest risk to CD accounts is usually an interest-rate risk, as federal rate cuts could lead banks to pay out less to savers. 7 Bank failure is also a risk, though this is a rarity.
Key takeaways
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.
If the interest on the new CD for that timeframe is higher than the fees you'd pay, you're good to go. But if your return is less than the withdrawal penalty you'll pay, waiting until your current CD term ends might be better to avoid losing money.
Limited liquidity
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.
It's generally best to keep your deposit in your CD until its maturity date to avoid penalties. But there are scenarios when withdrawing your CD early may make sense, including when interest rates are rising or when you need to pay off high-interest debt.
Traditionally, in your typical ladder, five-year CDs have a higher yield than one-year CDs. But these days, you're likely to see a CD with a term of around six months to 18 months will likely have the highest yield in your ladder.
Are CDs safe if the market crashes?
Are CDs safe if the market crashes? Putting your money in a CD doesn't involve putting your money in the stock market. Instead, it's in a financial institution, like a bank or credit union. So, in the event of a market crash, your CD account will not be impacted or lose value.
Many CDs have early withdrawal penalties equal to several months of interest. You could lose money in a CD if you withdraw before you've earned enough interest to cover the penalty.
The most common way people lose money through a CD account is by withdrawing their funds before the term ends. When you take money out of your CD account before the maturity date, you'll typically have to pay an early withdrawal penalty.
Open your CD as part of a retirement account
With a traditional IRA, investments are made on a pre-tax basis. So, your income taxes will be deferred until you tap into your IRA in retirement. If you opt for a Roth IRA, your money grows tax-free.
Compound interest, on the other hand, is calculated based on the principal amount plus any interest you've earned to date. This means that over time, your earnings will increase. Most CDs compound interest at a monthly or quarterly frequency, but some compound annually.
Projections suggest that we may see no rate increases in 2024, and that the Fed might start dropping its rate later this year, according to the CME FedWatch Tool on March 19. If the Fed rate drops, CD rates will likely follow suit, though it's up to each bank and credit union if and when that occurs.
Standard CDs are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) for up to $250,000, so they cannot lose money.
For CDs with terms of 24 months or less, the penalty is 90 days of simple interest on the dollar amount you withdraw early. For CDs with terms greater than 24 months, the penalty is 180 days of simple interest on the dollar amount you withdraw early.
Once the CD matures, you may have a grace period, established by the bank, to decide whether to renew the CD or withdraw the funds. The bank will pay interest, if any, once the CD matures in accordance with your account agreement and bank policy during the grace period.
CDs are safe, low-risk accounts offering competitive interest rates that remain fixed for the CD's term. Many banks and credit unions charge fees for opening and maintaining CD accounts, which can cut into your earnings. These include early withdrawal fees, monthly maintenance fees and broker fees.
What is better to invest in than a CD?
High-yield savings accounts, money market accounts and bonds can be good alternatives to CDs. Returns vary, but they're all considered low-risk investments. Regardless of where you keep your money, tending to your credit health is always a top priority.
Having multiple CDs can be a great way to diversify your portfolio without sacrificing as much liquidity. Risk is low, and CDs provide steady returns. Just know that owning too many CDs could cut you off from other high-return investments. Investing is one part of the financial journey.
“Consumers should be reassured that savings accounts and CDs are covered by FDIC [or NCUA] insurance up to $250,000. CDs are as safe as putting money in a savings account, and in most cases will provide a higher return,” says Rebell.
The short answer is yes. Like other bank accounts, CDs are federally insured at financial institutions that are members of a federal deposit insurance agency. If a member bank or credit union fails, you're guaranteed to receive your money back, up to $250,000, by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.
With such high interest rates, the earnings on CDs are impressive. You'll earn $850.50 for a total of $15,850.50 after one year when you open a $15,000 1-year CD with Popular Direct when calculating the returns at current rates.
