In light of the Federal Reserve’s recent interest rate cuts by decreasing the upper range from 4.75% to 4.50%, in December 2024, this may be an opportune time for retirement account holders to reconsider moving their required minimum distribution (RMD) in 2025 into Certificates of Deposit (CDs). Financial institutions are offering competitive CD rates and given the uncertain rate forecast for 2025, locking in current rates is a step toward more predictability in your financial picture, even if the Federal Reserve proceeds with more cuts in 2025.
What are RMDs?
A RMD is the minimum amount you are required to withdraw each year from your tax-deferred retirement accounts starting at the age of 73, depending on what year you were born.
Note: The RMD rules do not apply to Roth IRAs while the owner is alive but apply to beneficiaries of ROTH 401(k) accounts.
What’s the Connection Between CDs and RMDs?
CDs are a smart savings strategy for unneeded funds from RMDs. When it comes to retirement assets, limiting risk to principal while earning a market-rate return is the name of the game. Using individual CDs or a ladder of CDs is an easy way of maintaining the safety of your principal and generating solid earnings on those assets until you need them.
Since you’re already expected to withdraw the RMD each year once you qualify, depositing these funds into a fixed-rate CD may be quite advantageous if you don’t need the money right away. You can also choose to withdraw more than the required amount and move it to a CD, potentially increasing your earnings. Of course, you would only want to withdraw extra funds if the interest rate on the CD is higher than what you are earning on your current retirement savings and after you considered any tax consequences.
Note: This is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax advisor or financial planner to understand how this may affect your individual financial situation.
When you use your RMD — whether it be the minimum distribution or more – to open a CD, you can better protect your principal and receive more predictable returns and federal deposit insurance benefits.
Why Purchase a CD with your RMD Now?
Purchasing a CD this year offers a secure, low-risk way to preserve capital and earn predictable returns amid economic uncertainty. You may also want to consider receiving the CD’s interest on a monthly basis to supplement your retirement income.
FAQs
What is an RMD?
Required minimum distributions (RMDs) are the minimum amounts you are required to withdraw each year from your retirement accounts once you’ve reached the age of 73, depending on the year you were born.
Note: The RMD rules do not apply to Roth IRAs while the owner is alive, but they do apply to beneficiaries of ROTH 401(k) accounts.
Why Should Retirees Invest in CDs?
With uncertainty about which way rates will go in 2025, you can find financial institutions with attractive rates on short-term CDs as well as longer-term CDs. Regardless of your time horizon, by placing your annual RMD withdrawals in a CD you may benefit from current rates. The key is always to shop for most competitive rates in the term matched to your financial plans.