7 Year CD Rates

Keep your money safe and earn a fixed rate with a 7-year CD. Check out who offers the best 7-year CD rates today.

Protect your money for the long haul by considering 7-year CDs, which offer low risk and guaranteed returns. However, they can be hard to find and the APY might not be the best.

With that, let's look at the highest 7-year CD rates today and find out whether they're worth it or not.

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7 Year CD - 3.40% APY

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What is a 7-Year CD?

A 7-year CD is a savings account where you lock in a set amount of money for 7 years. It has a fixed interest rate, usually higher than a regular savings account.

How Do 7-Years CDs Work?

The way it works is, when you open a 7-year CD, you commit to keeping your money for the full term without early withdrawal. This restriction allows banks to provide higher APY compared to standard savings accounts.

While some think all long-term CDs have high rates, this isn't always the case due to how interest rates fluctuate. Most banks tend to be more conservative, offering lower APY.

Additionally, closing a 7-year CD early can incur significant penalties, often equivalent to a year's worth of interest.

How Much Does a 7-Year CD Pay?

Putting in $10,000 in a 7-year CD with a 3% APY could earn you around $2,299 once the CD matures.

To better illustrate how much you can earn, here's a table with various APY and deposit amounts:

Check out this CD calculator to see how much you can earn with other APY and deposit amounts.

Is a 7-Year CD Worth It?

If prefer low-risk investments and can leave your money untouched for a while, a 7-year CD might be a good choice. It's ideal for keeping and growing your money without much effort.

Just keep in mind that the interest rates may not be the highest. So, if you want the best growth for your money, there might be better options.

The early withdrawal penalties also might pose a problem if you need to use your CD funds. In that case, a CD wouldn't be a good fit for you.

Can You Lose Money on a 7-Year CD?

No, you generally won't be losing money on a 7-year CD. If your chosen bank or credit union is a member of the FDIC or the NCUA, your CD is federally insured for up to $250,000.

You can rest assured that your deposits are safe and covered should your bank or credit union close down.

However, should you decide to close your CD pre-maturely, early withdrawal penalties may reduce your interest earnings and even a part of your principal.

Pros and Cons of a 7-Year CD

Pros:

• Higher rates than traditional savings accounts
  
• Low risk with guaranteed and fixed returns
  
• Lock in high APY in case interest rates go down
  
• Preserve and grow funds passively for the long run

Cons:

• Long-term commitment
  
• Lower rates compared to some short-term CDs
  
• Early withdrawal penalties
  
• Very limited access to your money
  
• Can miss better rates or investments due to the fixed term

Where to Find the Best 7-Year CD Rates

Online banks and credit unions are the best places to check out if you're looking for 7-year CDs with high APYs.

Online banks have lower costs, so they often offer good rates. While credit unions, focused on helping members, also tend to provide high CD rates.

The catch is finding a 7-year CD with good rates is a bit tricky because they're not common. So, take your time to browse banks and credit unions for better chances of getting a good CD offer.

How to Open a 7-year CD

Opening a 7-year CD is easy as long as you have everything you need. Here's a quick guide on how to do it online:

1. Determine where to open the CD.
   Take note of the CD's disclosures to identify whether you can open it online, at physical branches, or both.

2. Complete the application form and review the terms.
   Fill out the application form and submit the required documents. After, review the terms and conditions which cover important details like interest payments, maturity date, and penalties for early withdrawal.

3. Submit and fund your CD.
   You can submit your application after agreeing to the terms. Once submitted, you can fund your CD through various methods, such as online transfers, wires, or check deposits.

If you're not sure how to open a CD with a specific bank or credit union, it is best to reach out to a representative to help you.

How to Choose the Best 7-Year CD

Here are some points to help you choose the best 7-year CD:

1. APY
   A rule of thumb for CDs: the higher the APY, the better. However, 7-year CDs might not have the best rates. Still, make sure to take time shopping around multiple banks and credit unions for greater chances of finding a good APY.

2. Early withdrawal penalties
   In case you need to close your CD before the 7 years end, you'll want to minimize your losses. Best to get a CD with low early withdrawal penalties. For 7-year CDs, penalties can usually cost a year's worth of interest.

3. Minimum deposit requirement
   Some CDs need you to meet a minimum deposit to open. Make sure you get a CD that suits your budget.

4. Institution's stability
   You will be keeping a CD for 7 years, so you'll want to be with a bank or credit union that will continue to operate for the next several years. CDs are federally insured, but it will be best to have a reputable and stable bank to avoid any problems.

Alternatives to a 7-Year CD

A 7-year CD is a long-term commitment and it might not be the best choice based on your goals. So, here are other ways you can invest your money:

High-Yield Savings Accounts
High-yield savings accounts offer competitive rates and easy access to your funds. However, unlike CDs, the rates for these accounts tend to fluctuate and can change over time.

Money Market Accounts
For extra flexibility with your funds, a money market account may do the trick. It can offer competitive rates and often comes with a debit card, ATM access, and checks.

Traditional or Roth IRA accounts
If you are preparing for retirement, you may as well look at Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA). These are tax-advantaged accounts that help you save for retirement. For one, earnings and withdrawals for Roth IRAs are tax-free.

CD Ladder with Short-Term CDs
If access to your funds is a big issue, try building a CD ladder stretching 18 months instead. You can get shorter CD terms that may offer competitive rates for your ladder.

Bonds
Consider Treasury or corporate bonds for stable fixed rates in the long term. Government-backed securities are safe, but you need to do more research on corporate bonds to ensure stability.

7-Year CD FAQs

Is a 7-year CD better than a savings account?
If you're comfortable with keeping your money locked for a long time, a 7-year CD can be a good option, especially if you find one with a high rate. But, if you prefer having easy access to your funds, a savings account might be a better fit.

Will 7-year CD rates go up?
7-year CD rates aren't guaranteed to rise, but they often follow the Fed Funds rate. If the Fed Funds rate goes up, 7-year CD rates might also increase. But, predicting long-term CD rates is more challenging because it's so far in the future.

Which is better: CD or IRA?
CDs offer reliable, low-risk earnings, while IRAs provide tax benefits and the potential for higher returns with increased risk. Your preference depends on your risk tolerance and financial situation.

Is there a CD that pays monthly?
Yes, some CDs may pay interest every month. The frequency can vary depending on the CD. But if you want to maximize your interest earnings, try not to withdraw your interest to get the full effect of compound interest.

Bottom Line

Opting for a 7-year CD is a solid move if you are generally risk-averse and are in it for the long run. However, when it comes to APY, there might be better options if you want higher returns.

Ultimately, a 7-year CD's worth will depend on what your financial goals and needs are for the next years. If it doesn't quite hit the mark, take a moment to evaluate your objectives and explore investments that might be a better match.

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