Your CD is Maturing Soon. What Should You do Next?

If you have a certificate of deposit (CD) that is maturing soon, it’s time to make a decision. Your CD has been collecting interest for months or years, helping you to get closer to your financial goals. Now you need to decide whether to roll it over to another CD, deposit it into another account, cash it out and spend it—or invest it.

Weigh your options Before you decide what to do, it helps to consider all of your options first. Be aware that your bank or credit union may rollover your CD automatically at the end of the term—unless you tell them not to. And, it’s possible their new interest rate could be lower. The bank or credit union is required to notify you in advance before the CD matures, but you should scope out your options in advance. You’ll have a grace period—generally one to two weeks—to act on your decision, but it helps to have a plan first.

Here are options to consider: Let your bank renew your CD. This may be the easiest option—but not necessarily the best, depending on the rates and terms. If you do decide to renew and the rates are good, you may want to take advantage of the grace period and add more funds to your CD.

Withdraw your CD funds and get a different CD. You can search the internet for the best CD rates available, and compare the rates listed on NerdWallet, Bankrate, Forbes, Investopedia, US News, SmartAsset, and other sites. The interest rates you see may prompt you to try a new bank or credit union, or stick with your current one. Withdraw and spend your CD funds. Maybe you’d like to buy a new car or take a well-earned vacation in the next month or two. If that’s the case, you might want to move your CD funds into a checking or savings account during the grace period so it will be more accessible. Move your funds to a brokerage account. If you’re willing to accept more risk for potentially higher returns, this may be your best option. Consider your options before it automatically renews.

When—and why—talking to an advisor about your CD might be the best solution

CDs are extremely low-risk products and are insured by the FDIC (if they are held with an FDIC-insured institution). There is also no market risk with a CD, and their interest rates climbed into the double digits in the 1980s, when inflation rates were also high.

CD terms usually range from three months to five years, and can be a great choice for someone who wants to lock-in an investment for a set amount of time, with set returns. There is a downside, though, if you need to access your CD funds before maturity. Early withdrawal penalties for CDs vary by institution, and are typically calculated as a set period of interest earned, such as 90 days or six months.

But if you’re investing for the long term, your best option may be talking to an advisor and moving your maturing CD funds into a brokerage account. Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Adviser. Member FINRA/SIPC. Longleaf Wealth Management Group, LLC and LPL Financial are separate entities.