If you have a CD reaching maturing soon, have you given thought to what you’d like to do with the funds in it? Deciding what path to take when a CD matures isn’t as easy as coming to a fork in the road. There are actually quite a few options available. It’s just a matter of weighing all those options, and then choosing the one that’s right for you.
Before exploring your choices, it’s important to note that your financial institution is required to notify you in advance before your CD matures. Once you receive that notification, you typically have only a week or two to decide what you’d like to do with your funds. If you don’t instruct your bank on what to do with your CD when it matures, they will make the decision for you. In most cases, the financial institution will automatically roll over the funds to another CD with a term length similar to your old one. But beware – the new CD may have a lower interest rate than your old CD. To prevent your money from ending up stuck in a CD with an undesirable rate, it’s a good idea to make your own informed decision about your funds when your CD matures, rather than letting your bank make the choice.
- One option available to you is to deposit additional funds into the CD and then roll it over into a new term. Unless your CD is an “add-on” CD, your maturity period is likely your only opportunity to add funds to your existing balance. If you decide to go this route however, be sure that you know what rate you will receive for the new term before you agree to it.
- If you have a big purchase on the horizon, it may be a good time to withdraw the funds. Typically, CD maturity is the only time you can pull your funds out of a CD without incurring an early withdrawal penalty. Taking your money out of a CD once it matures can be ideal if you have specific objective in mind, such as placing a down payment on a house or buying a new car.
- If you think you may need the funds in the not-too-distant future, but don’t have an immediate need for them, your best bet may be to withdraw the money and place it in an interest-bearing savings or checking account. By taking the money out of your CD, it will no longer be tied up for a locked-in time period, and you’ll have the flexibility of withdrawing it without penalty whenever you’re ready.
- Another option is to pursue a different investment vehicle, depending on your level of risk tolerance, and your financial goals. Other investment opportunities could include stocks or bonds, retirement accounts, or college savings plans. Just remember that it’s always a good idea to consult with a tax professional or an investment advisor before making any major investment decisions.
- If you’d like to keep your money in a CD, another possibility is to choose an entirely different CD to roll your money into. You could go with a different CD at the same financial institution, or you could open a new CD at another bank or credit union. Sites like DepositAccounts.com can useful when comparing CDs across multiple financial institutions.
- Depending how much money is in the maturing CD, you may want to consider splitting the funds and placing them into two or more new CDs with varying term lengths. This strategy is referred to as “CD laddering”. Generally speaking, CD laddering involves buying a series of CDs with different terms so they mature at different intervals. So over the course of the CDs’ various term lengths you’ll have access to funds on an ongoing basis, because you’ll have a CD regularly reaching maturity.
No matter where you are in your financial journey, if you have a CD reaching maturity it’s important to think proactively about your goals and immediate financial needs before determining what to do with your funds. A little planning goes a long way, and you’ll thank yourself later!