How much money should you keep in a money market account?
Some money market accounts come with minimum account balances to be able to earn the higher rate of interest. Six to 12 months of living expenses are typically recommended for the amount of money that should be kept in cash in these types of accounts for unforeseen emergencies and life events.
A money market account is a type of account offered by banks and credit unions. Like other deposit accounts, money market accounts are insured by the FDIC or NCUA, up to $250,000 held by the same owner or owners.
Money market accounts are savings accounts that often offer higher interest rates than regular savings accounts and often incorporate checking account features, like easy access to cash. Yet they can also have downsides: Many have minimum balance requirements and excessive fees.
Key Insights. If you're saving for something you'll need the money for in less than three to five years, saving in a money market fund may make sense for you. Money market funds are ideal for short-term saving because they invest in highly liquid securities with the objective of capital preservation and income.
Money market accounts are earning slightly less than high-yield savings accounts. However, some currently have an interest rate from from 3.25% up to 5.46%. So, your $10,000 can earn as much as $325 to $546 in interest this year.
Which bank gives 7% interest on a savings account? There are not any banks offering 7% interest on a savings account right now. However, two financial institutions are paying at least 7% APY on checking accounts: Landmark Credit Union Premium Checking Account, and OnPath Rewards High-Yield Checking.
Rather than more favorable capital gains rates, you'll owe regular income taxes on money market fund earnings, with a top bracket of 37%. By comparison, the top long-term capital gains rate is 20%.
Money market accounts are considered safe, low-risk investments. They earn interest and allow for easy access to your money. Your balance is also FDIC-insured, so it's unlikely that you'll lose money. However, fees and interest rate changes could deplete your returns.
Money market accounts (MMAs) and certificates of deposit (CDs) are types of federally insured savings accounts that earn interest. But their rates and ease of access differ. CDs tend to have higher rates than money market accounts and give no access to your money until a term ends.
The primary way a money market account could lose of money is if the account is charged fees, due to the account holder not adhering to the financial institution's rules and conditions of the account. All financial institutions charge penalty fees for not maintaining the minimum required balance.
Should I keep money in savings or money market account?
If the saver is able to meet the minimum balance, doesn't anticipate needing the funds anytime soon, and is interested in a higher interest rate, a money market account is the better choice.
Money market funds can protect your assets during a recession, but only as a temporary fix and not for long-term growth. In times of economic uncertainty, money market funds offer liquidity for cash reserves that can help you build your portfolio.
- Emergency funds.
- Wedding expenses.
- Vacation funds.
- Tax payments.
- Home renovation projects.
- Saving for a new car.
- Retirement savings.
- Other short-term savings goals.
- Max Out Your IRA.
- Contribution to a 401(k)
- Create a Stock Portfolio.
- Invest in Mutual Funds or ETFs.
- Buy Bonds.
- Plan for Future Health Costs With an HSA.
- Invest in Real Estate or REITs.
- Which Investment Is Right for You?
You'll earn $850.50 for a total of $15,850.50 after one year when you open a $15,000 1-year CD with Popular Direct when calculating the returns at current rates. A 1-year CD at LendingClub Bank or CIBC Bank USA will produce $847.50 or $843.00 in returns, respectively. Lock in strong returns with a one-year CD today.
Banks and credit unions offer money market accounts currently paying about 2%, which would produce $1,000 in interest on $50,000 over a year. Find the best current rates using SmartAsset's online money market account comparison tool.
As of February 2024, no banks are offering 7% interest rates on savings accounts. Two credit unions have high-interest checking accounts. Eligibility for these credit unions is limited according to geographic location and other narrow criteria.
- Stocks.
- Real Estate.
- Private Credit.
- Junk Bonds.
- Index Funds.
- Buying a Business.
- High-End Art or Other Collectables.
| Account | APY (Annual Percentage Yield) *rates as of 2/22/2024 | Minimum Balance to Earn APY |
|---|---|---|
| Customers Bank, powered by Raisin | 5.32% APY | $0 |
| UFB Direct Secure Savings Account | 5.25% APY | $0 |
| Upgrade Premier Savings | 5.07% APY | $1,000 |
| CIT Bank Platinum Savings | 5.05% APY | $5,000 |
The interest money market accounts earn is taxable by the IRS. The good news is, taxes on your money market earnings won't exceed your earnings themselves, and reporting interest earnings on your taxes is easy to do.
What is better than a CD?
High-yield savings accounts, money market accounts and bonds can be good alternatives to CDs. Returns vary, but they're all considered low-risk investments.
Money market funds have benefits such as diversifying your investment portfolio and providing regular income payments. But your money won't be federally insured and you may incur fees.
If you want to earn a higher APY and you can meet a higher account minimum, a money market account is a good choice. It's also a smart option if you need easy access to your money. If you know that you won't need the money for a while and want to earn an even higher APY, a CD works well.
| Top Nationwide Rate (APY) | Total Earnings | |
|---|---|---|
| 6 months | 5.76% | $ 288 |
| 1 year | 6.18% | $ 618 |
| 18 months | 5.80% | $ 887 |
| 2 year | 5.60% | $ 1,151 |
CDs generally have higher rates than either traditional savings or money market accounts. And some banks offer substantially higher rates. In 2023, it's not uncommon to find CDs with rates over 5.00%. The trade-off for the higher rate is that you sacrifice liquidity.
