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CD rates are influenced by interest rate moves by the Federal Reserve. The U.S. since March 2020 in an effort to stimulate the economy during the COVID-19 crisis, and subsequently, are currently low. This key rate is expected to rise in 2022, however, as the Fed has penciled in for the year. But Greg McBride, CFA, Bankrate chief financial analyst, forecasts just in 2022. The national average for one-year CDs will rise to 0.35 percent and the average for five-year CDs will increase to 0.56 percent, McBride predicts, adding that the in 2022 will likely more than triple those average rates. Other factors that can impact CD rates include the , competition among banks and the need for deposits among banks. Pros of investing in CDs
Potentially higher yield than Principal remains protected Guaranteed rate of return With a , it’s possible to add long-term stability to a portfolio Cons of investing in CDs
Money isn’t as liquid as a savings account Penalties for withdrawing money early Yields don’t always beat inflation Returns are often low compared to stocks and ETFs When investing in a CD is worth it
One of the biggest reasons to use CDs is for security. You don’t have to worry about losing your principal because the money is usually held in an insured account. “If you don’t need access to your money for several years, a longer-term CD would typically provide a substantially better return than keeping your money in a standard savings account,” says Fred Jacobs, senior manager, media relations and sponsorships at Ent Credit Union, Colorado’s largest credit union. For those looking to keep a portion of their portfolio in a principal-protected investment for the long term, using a laddering strategy — in which your CDs mature at different points — can be one way to add stability. CDs can also be useful to save for the short term — six to 18 months. Locking up some of your money in a CD can prevent you from dipping into your funds for other purposes and making sure the money goes to the proper goal, says Morgan Blackman, a wealth coach, and investor and founder of Holistic Bucks Coaching. When investing in a CD is not worth it
Though CDs are stable and safe, the reality is that you might not get the best return for your money. On top of that, both Jacobs and Blackman point out that even with a high yield, you’re not likely to beat inflation with a CD investment. So, while CDs can provide some guaranteed returns over time and some level of security, they’re not likely to provide you the returns needed to build wealth for retirement over time. Instead, it might make more sense to build wealth with other assets and only use CDs for a portion of your portfolio. Alternatives to CDs in 2022
Rather than investing in CDs, Blackman suggests looking into government bonds, such as Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS), which provide some protection against inflation while being fairly safe. The effective interest rate paid on TIPS moves up or down, along with inflation. “Consider low-risk mutual funds as well,” Blackman says. “They aren’t as risky as stocks, but they can still yield better returns than CDs.” Jacobs suggests looking into money market accounts and mutual funds, as well as bonds and dividend-paying stocks. Finally, another option that might make sense is a . If you already have a large chunk of capital and are looking for something stable, a fixed annuity might provide better returns than a CD. These contracts, typically made with an insurance company, guarantee a certain amount of income for a set period. “The most important factors to consider are your risk tolerance and how potential returns compare among CDs, stocks, bonds, mutual funds and other products that would provide you with a rate of return for your money,” Jacobs says. Bottom line
As part of a portfolio that includes cash, CDs can provide stability and security. But, 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. “I recommend speaking with a financial advisor to compare your options,” Jacobs says. “Discuss your risk tolerance and timelines, and determine the best products for your individual situation.” Learn more
SHARE: Karen Bennett is a consumer banking reporter at Bankrate. She uses her finance writing background to help readers learn more about savings and checking accounts, CDs, and other financial matters. David Schepp is a wealth editor for Bankrate, focusing on deposits and consumer banking content. Related Articles