Can I lose money in a high yield savings account? (2024)

Can I lose money in a high yield savings account?

Yes! As long as you choose a high-yield savings account with FDIC protection, your money is totally safe—and guaranteed by the federal government up to $250,000 (per depositor, per institution and per ownership category—if you want to get super nerdy).

Safety: As noted, most high-yield savings accounts are either FDIC or NCUA insured for up to $250,000. Moreover, as deposit accounts, they're not susceptible to the ebbs and flows of the market, so there's little to no chance you'll lose the money you deposit into one.

You don't take on any risk depositing your cash into a high-yield savings account that is FDIC-insured up to $250,000. Your money is safe if something were to happen, such as a run on the bank. The money sitting in your high-yield savings is accessible if you ever need to tap into it.

This rate often is 10 to 20 times greater than the national average for savings accounts. But high-yield accounts entail no greater risk. Balances are federally insured for at least $250,000.

Your best bet if you have extra cash is to put it in a high-yield savings account that can increase your savings but give you the option to withdraw the money if you need to. By law, consumers can withdraw or transfer cash out of a high-yield savings account up to six times per month without paying any fees.

While high-yield savings accounts offer high APYs and zero risk, they're not the best way to grow your wealth long-term. That's because your APY can go up and down, and your yield may not outpace the inflation rate.

Millionaires Like High-Yield Savings, but Not as Much as Other Accounts. Usually offering significantly more interest than a traditional savings account, high-yield savings accounts have blown up in popularity among everyone, including millionaires.

There's no rule on the exact amount to have in your high-yield savings account. The amount of money you should store in these accounts depends on various factors. However, the general rule of thumb is that you should have liquid access to enough cash to cover between three and six months of your expenses.

While high-yield savings accounts offer higher interest rates than traditional savings accounts, they may not outpace inflation, potentially eroding your purchasing power over time. As a result, they're not typically recommended for long-term wealth-building or retirement savings.

How much of a difference does this make? If you deposit $50,000 into a traditional savings account with a 0.46%, you'll earn just $230 in total interest after one year. But if you deposit that amount into a high-yield savings account with a 5.32% APY,* your one-year interest soars to over $2,660.

Is there anything better than a high-yield savings account?

With a money market account, you'll have easier access to your cash but will have more fees and balance limits. High-yield savings accounts make it a little harder to access your money, but they're also usually cheaper.

As of April 2024, no banks are offering 7% interest rates on savings accounts. Two credit unions have high-interest checking accounts: Landmark Credit Union Premium Checking with 7.50% APY and OnPath Credit Union High Yield Checking with 7.00% APY.

Gaines reiterates that even most high-yield savings accounts lose value to inflation over time. “More than two months' worth of living expenses in a savings account is too much given the ability to earn around 5% from easily accessible money market accounts that should not fluctuate in price.”

In fact, rates on high-yield savings accounts are currently hovering around 5%, and you may be able to find something even higher if you shop around for an online bank. On a $10,000 deposit, that would equate to $500 after one year.

Do I have to pay taxes on HYSA? Yes, you have to pay taxes on the interest earned from a savings account. If you earn more than $10 in interest on your savings account, the bank holding your account will send you a Form 1099-T to include in your tax return.

You Could Lose Out on Higher Interest Rates

Opening multiple savings accounts can help you earn more interest, but it's essential to read the fine print. Again, some banks have a tiered interest rate structure for savings accounts, meaning you may only earn the highest rates once your balance reaches a certain amount.

At a 4.25% annual interest rate, your $100,000 deposit would earn a total of $4,250 in interest over the course of a year if interest compounds annually. Annual total: $104,250.

Wealthy people do not leave large amounts of money in saving/checking accounts earning no interest or income. Instead they invest their money in stocks, bonds, real estate, mutual funds, etc.

A savings account is the ideal spot for an emergency fund or cash you need within the next three to five years. Good for long-term goals. Investing can help you grow money over the long term, making it a strong option for funding expensive future goals, like retirement.

Why does my high-yield savings account keep going up?

High-yield savings account interest rates are influenced by several factors, including the Federal Reserve's federal funds rate, economic shifts and the bank's internal policies. As federal rates are adjusted, the economy changes and bank policies shift, your account APY may also increase or decrease.

Although opening a high-yield savings account can offer many benefits, it won't help you build a credit history. That's because bank account activity typically isn't reported to credit bureaus and doesn't affect your credit score.

Pros and cons of a high-yield savings account

A high-yield savings account offers a higher rate of return on your money compared to standard savings accounts. But some of these accounts charge fees, have minimum balances requirements, and offer variable interest rates that can go up and down over time.

Where to safely keep cash at home. Just like any other piece of paper, cash can get lost, wet or burned. Consider buying a fireproof and waterproof safe for your home. It's also useful for storing other valuables in your home such as jewelry and important personal documents.

The IRS treats interest earned on a savings account as earned income, meaning it can be taxed. So, if you received $125 in interest on a high-yield savings account in 2023, you're required to pay taxes on that interest when you file your federal tax return for the 2023 tax year.