Can you lose money in a CD? (2024)

FAQs

Can you 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.

The risk of having a CD is very low. Unlike how the stock market or a Roth IRA can lose money, you typically cannot lose money in a CD. There is actually no risk the account owner incurs unless you withdraw money before the account reaches maturity.

It's a safe investment

They're FDIC-insured up to $250,000 per account, per bank. So you won't have to worry about any potential bank failures. And even if you can't secure the very highest interest rate, you won't lose any money, you'll just earn interest at a slightly lower rate.

Banks and credit unions often charge an early withdrawal penalty for taking funds from a CD ahead of its maturity date. This penalty can be a flat fee or a percentage of the interest earned. In some cases, it could even be all the interest earned, negating your efforts to use a CD for savings.

As long as you open a CD with a financial institution that's insured by the FDIC or the NCUA, your CD is protected up to $250,000 per person, per account category in case of a bank failure. That means you won't lose your deposit or interest earned (up to the insured amount) if the bank unexpectedly closes.

In most cases yes, up to a point. CDs are typically insured up to the FDIC limit, though it is possible to buy jumbo CDs above that level. But you could also invest in a US Treasury money market fund, and Treasuries are backed by the full faith and credit of the US government without limits.

Early withdrawal penalties

One way you can lose money in a CD is by withdrawing your funds before the term ends. Most CDs have early withdrawal penalties, which can be steep depending on the length of the term and the amount of your deposit.

This CD will earn $108.33 on $500 over five years, which means your deposit will grow by 21.7%.

While longer-term CDs may tie up your funds for years, a 6-month CD allows you to access your money relatively quickly. If you suddenly need your $5,000 for an emergency or a more lucrative investment opportunity arises, you won't have to wait years to access your funds without incurring hefty penalties.

Are CDs safe if the market crashes? ›

Market Crashes and CDs

Even if the market crashes, your CD is still safe. Your interest rate won't change, and your money is still insured. But, keep an eye on interest rates. After your CD term ends, you might find that new CDs have lower rates if the economy is still struggling.

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.

Limited liquidity: A CD is a time-bound investment. You'll likely face a penalty if you need to withdraw your money before the maturity date. This can be a few months' interest or even bite into your principal, depending on the CD's terms. As a result, they're not ideal for those who need quick access to their funds.

The FDIC Covers CDs in the Event of Bank Failure

But the recent regional banking turmoil may have you concerned about your investment in case of a bank failure. CDs are treated by the FDIC like other bank accounts and will be insured up to $250,000 if the bank is a member of the agency.

Why it's probably time to buy a CD. Rates will remain high for a bit longer, but it's unclear how long. The Fed has indicated that there will three rate cuts in 2024, which means it's unlikely that CD rates will continue to climb . Waiting to open a CD could mean missing out on some stellar rates.

Use Multiple CDs to Manage Interest Rates

Multiple CDs can help you capitalize on interest rate changes if you believe CD rates will change over time. You might put some cash into a higher-rate 6-month CD and the remainder into a 24-month bump-up CD that allows you to take advantage of CD rate increases over time.

Sometimes if a withdrawal is early enough, a penalty can include part of the principal, or the initial sum of money you deposited, meaning you can lose money on a CD. Here's how it works: Say you have a two-year CD that has an early withdrawal penalty of six months of interest.

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.