Certificates of deposit, or CDs, offer the same principal protection as a savings account but often at higher rates. When you buy a CD, you promise to leave your money at a bank for a set term. In return, the bank pays a higher interest rate. The best CD rates right now are above 5%.
CD rates track the federal funds rate—the interest rate commercial banks charge each other to borrow money. When the Federal Reserve raises the federal funds rate, banks raise the interest rates on CDs to attract more depositors. With the Fed's recent rate drop, banks will begin to lower the interest rates on CDs. As banks make these adjustments, the window to lock in higher CD rates will narrow, so act now if a CD fits into your investment strategy.
But remember that CD interest is subject to taxes, which impacts your overall returns.
Are CDs worth it right now?
After significant rate hikes over the past year and a half, the Fed's recent rate cut has slightly lowered CD rates, ending the rapid upward climb. Between June 2022 and December 2023, 1-year CD rates rose more than 700%. However, with this recent shift, the opportunity to lock in those previously sky-high rates is closing. You might still feel tempted to secure a CD now, but does it make sense given the new, lower Fed rate?
Steven Conners, founder and president of Conners Wealth Management in Scottsdale, Arizona, accurately predicted this shift last summer. ”A year from now and beyond, I don't think these rates are going to be as high as they are… unless there is some sort of catalyst to cause inflation to re-emerge."
Another factor still influencing CD rates is the inverted yield curve. Even with the recent rate cut, short-term rates remain relatively high compared to long-term rates, allowing shorter-term CDs to offer competitive yields. For example, a 1-year CD still yields over 5% while a 10-year CD is lower, around 3%. Despite the recent rate cut, you can still make shorter-term commitments with CDs and benefit from relatively high rates, which can help maintain liquidity and income.
Best CDs rates today
Here are a few institutions that regularly offer excellent CD rates:
CD rates are so high that some medium-term CDs pay as much as or more than Treasury securities, which typically have some of the highest yields. New 5-year Treasurys yield less than 4%, lower than many of the highest-yielding 5-year CDs.
However, CDs don’t always beat out Treasurys, according to David Rosenstrock, Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and director of financial planning and investments at Wharton Wealth Planning. This is due to reinvestment risk—if interest rates fall after your CD matures, you’ll be forced to reinvest your funds at a lower rate.
“Bonds allow you to lock in [higher] interest rates for longer periods of time, which could be important for retirement or cash flow planning,” says Rosenstrock.
Looking beyond high APYs
While CDs currently have higher yields than they did a few years ago, they still may not be right for everyone. After accounting for taxes and inflation, the real return on a CD in a taxable account is pretty low.
The IRS taxes CD interest at ordinary income rates. So, to determine if CDs are worth it, you need to calculate your unique after-tax return. To do this, you’ll multiply the CD’s stated interest rate by one minus your tax rate.
For example, if you're in the 24% (0.24) federal income tax bracket, your after-tax return on a CD yielding 5% is actually five times 0.76, or 3.80%. In December 2023, inflation was 3.40%, which leaves you with a real return of only 0.40%—and that's before you factor in any state and local taxes.
“As far as a good or bad time (to invest in CDs), it's irrelevant" because CD rates correspond to inflation, just like all other interest rates, says Peter Casciotta, owner and president of Asset Management & Advisory Services of Lee County in Cape Coral, Florida.
Best CDs by term length
If you’re thinking about investing, shop around to find the best CD rates. Using data from Curinos, we compiled some of the top rates based on different term lengths. This table is refreshed every Wednesday.
View this interactive chart on Fortune.com
Pros and cons of investing in CDs
The trick to determining if CDs are right for you—and whether CDs are worth it in the current economy—is identifying what you want to accomplish with a CD, and then figuring out if the pros outweigh the cons or vice versa.
Pros
- Principal protection. You can earn a modest return while protecting your principal, which isn’t a bad deal.
- Peace of mind. Knowing that your principal is safe and you’re getting a guaranteed return can decrease financial stress.
- Reduce portfolio volatility. Since CDs don't fluctuate in value the way other investments do, they can help reduce the overall volatility of your portfolio.
Cons
- Early withdrawal penalty. Tapping a CD early will likely incur a penalty that could erase all your returns—and more.
- Low overall return. Once you factor in inflation and taxes, a CD’s return is relatively low compared to many other investments.
- Reinvestment risk. There is the risk that, after your CD matures, you won't be able to reinvest it at an equal or higher rate.
When CDs are worth it
Conners says the best time to invest in CDs is when there is a surge in inflation. "The silver lining to (the Fed's) battle against inflation is that the Fed has created an opportunity for conservative investors to finally get paid something."
Despite higher inflation, CDs are only worth it when they fit your investment goals.
CDs are best for conservative investors or those looking to dampen their portfolio volatility.
As you age, you should shift your investment focus from growth to capital preservation. "It is crucially important and essential that you do not lose principle the closer you get to retirement" because you won't have time to recoup any losses, Conners says. This makes CDs a good choice for people nearing or in retirement.
However, even younger investors who primarily hold stocks can benefit from CDs. CDs can help you put the money you’ll need in the future—for a house down payment or a wedding—at arm’s distance, plus earn a bit of interest along the way. But younger investors should likely avoid investments, such as CD individual retirement accounts (IRAs), as their yields are generally too conservative to help retirement savings grow at an appropriate pace.
When CDs may not be worth it
CDs may not be worth it when interest rates are low. In these environments, conservative investors are often better off in other fixed-income securities, such as municipal or corporate bonds, Conners says.
With recent rate cuts and more expected to come, locking in a CD before they drop further might be suitable should it fit your overall financial goals, as acting sooner rather than later will secure higher returns before that window closes. However, there will come a tipping point where putting your money in other conservative investments that could yield a better return will make more sense.
Rosenstrock also recommends people consider the tax advantages of investing in fixed-income securities over CDs.
“If you're investing in municipals, that's tax-exempt income. It can be tax exempt on the federal and state level,” says Rosentrock. “CDs are not going to give you that sort of advantage.”
When interest rates are low, you can boost your bond yields by choosing reliable bonds with a lower investment grade. For example, owning bonds from lower-rated companies with a strong repayment track record could increase your average return without taking excessive risk.
When interest rates are lower, you can explore fixed-income investments, such as bond mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Actively managed fixed-income funds might have slightly higher management fees (expense ratios) but can often outperform the greater bond market.
But the real question when deciding if CDs are worth it is this: How much do you need a CD to yield so that you meet your investment goals? If you need to earn 7% to avoid running out of money in retirement, you can't afford to keep all of your money in CDs paying 5%, Casciotta says.
Frequently asked questions
Are CDs FDIC insured?
CDs are FDIC insured when held at an FDIC-insured bank or financial institution for up to $250,000 per depositor, per bank in the unlikely event of bank failure.
Are CDs a good investment?
The answer depends. CDs can be attractive for those willing to sacrifice returns for security, especially in higher interest rate environments. However, bonds and bond funds might be more suitable in lower interest rate environments.
Are CDs worth it in 2024?
CDs are less attractive now because of recent rate cuts, and with more expected to come, yields are likely to continue dropping. You might still find value in CDs if you're a conservative investor who needs a short-term, secure investment option, but other fixed-income securities could provide better yields with similar risk.
Are CDs FDIC insured?
CDs are FDIC insured when held at an FDIC-insured bank or financial institution for up to $250,000 per depositor, per bank in the unlikely event of bank failure.
