Why you should deposit $5,000 into a CD now (2024)

FAQs

Why you should deposit $5,000 into a CD now? ›

Here's the short answer. The highest-paying CD on our best CD rates list is a 1-year CD that has a 5.15% APY. If you have $5,000 to lock away in a CD, this means that you'd make $257.50 in interest during the CD's one-year maturity term.

Bottom line. While we don't yet officially know when, and by how much, interest rates could drop in 2024, it's safe to say we've reached peak savings rates today and now is the time to lock one in with a CD.

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.

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.

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.

Waiting to open a CD could mean missing out on some stellar rates. Now, you can lock in high rates on both short-term and long-term CDs, and you can score some serious interest just by opting to deposit a larger lump sum into your CD.

While that amount will be different for everyone, you should keep a few things in mind. First, a minimum amount is usually required. Most CDs have a minimum deposit between $500 and $2,500, though some can be lower or higher than this range.

The bottom line. Putting $5,000 in a 1-year CD today can be a prudent financial move, especially when interest rates are as high as they currently are. The combination of competitive returns, safety and predictability makes it an attractive option for individuals looking to grow their savings with minimal risk.

To turn $5,000 into more money, explore various investment avenues like the stock market, real estate or a high-yield savings account for lower-risk growth. Investing in a small business or startup could also provide significant returns if the business is successful.

If you put $20,000 into a 5-year CD with an interest rate of 4.60%, you'd end the 5-year CD term with $5,043.12 in interest, for a total balance of $25,043.12.

Can you ever lose money in a CD? ›

Standard CDs are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) for up to $250,000, so they cannot lose money. However, some CDs that are not FDIC-insured may carry greater risk, and there may be risks that come from rising inflation or interest rates.

CD rates tend to lag behind rising inflation and drop more quickly than inflation on the way down. Because of that likelihood, investing in CDs carries the danger that your money will lose its purchasing power over time as your interest gains are overtaken by inflation.

If interest rates fall before the CD expires, the bank is out of luck and must give you the rate it quoted. If rates climb, you're stuck with the lower rate you agreed to when you opened the account. And if you take your money out before a CD matures, you'll pay a penalty -- typically three months of interest.

You generally can't lose money with a CD from a financial institution insured by the FDIC or NCUA. Unlike stock investments, CDs don't fluctuate in value. That being said, you can lose some or all of the interest you've earned if you withdraw money before the CD's maturity date.

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.

When Should You Get a 6-Month CD? CDs tend to offer higher yields than traditional savings and money market accounts, especially in a low-interest rate environment. A 6-month CD may be a good option if you know that you won't need access to your funds for at least six to nine months.

CDs offer the benefit of risk-free growth on your money. With stocks, you might score a much higher return. If you're saving for a near-term goal, a CD is probably your better choice, whereas stocks are more appropriate for long-term goals.

The bottom line. A short-term CD is an effective savings vehicle that can likely fit well within your financial plan. However, it's probably not the best idea to move all of your money to any savings or deposit account, CD or otherwise.

Like savings and checking accounts, most CDs are protected by deposit insurance, meaning your funds are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) at a bank and the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) at a credit union.

CDs are a safe investment that can net you a higher return than most savings and money market accounts. Since rates have increased over the past year, they're more appealing to some savers. But with some banks already dropping rates, it's best to lock in a rate soon.