Want to retire early? Open a high-yield savings account

Retirement is one of the most important financial goals to plan for. The average planned retirement age is 66, according to Gallup. With a national average life expectancy of 78.7 years, it’s vital to have over one decade of retirement savings.

A 2020 Charles Schwab study found that the average non-retiree thinks they need $1.9 million for a comfortable retirement. Yet the Federal Reserve reported that only 36% of non-retiree participants believe their retirement savings strategy is on track.

There are several ways to save for retirement to earn passive income and manage risk. A high-yield savings account can play a pivotal role in any retirement savings plan.

4 tips to begin planning for retirement

1. Open a high-yield savings account
2. Automate deposits
3. Earn 401(k) matching contributions
4. Save for specific goals

1. Open a high-yield savings account

The Federal Reserve states that non-retirement deposit accounts are the second most common way to build a retirement fund.

Non-retirement deposit accounts include:

• High-yield savings account
• Traditional savings account
• Money market account
• Certificate of deposit

For instance, your deposit may earn closer to 0.70% annual percentage yield (APY) versus 0.05% APY in a traditional savings account.

The high-yield savings interest rate is variable and adjusts with the Federal Reserve benchmark rate. Traditional savings accounts and money market accounts also have a variable interest.

A certificate of deposit (CD) earns a fixed interest rate for the deposit term but an early withdrawal incurs a penalty. High-yield savings options can earn a competitive interest rate and allow for up to six monthly withdrawals without penalty.

Online banks and credit unions offer fee-free high-yield savings accounts with up to $250,000 in insurance from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA).

HOW ARE HIGH-YIELD SAVINGS ACCOUNT DIFFERENT FROM TRADITIONAL?

2. Automate deposits

Starting to save for retirement as soon as possible increases the likelihood of retiring on-time. The sooner your money can earn interest, the less money you need to save to make “catch up contributions.” You are also less likely to delay retirement because you can afford to retire.

Automating deposits into a high-yield savings account each month lets you effortlessly save for retirement. No matter what bills you have this month, you keep saving for the future.

Even if you can only set aside $20 a month, you start a good savings habit. You can boost your savings rate as your salary increases. If you’re unsure how much to save each month, a retirement calculator can recommend a monthly savings amount.

Also, consider recurring contributions into a tax-advantaged individual retirement account (IRA). Investing can be riskier than FDIC-insured deposit accounts but has more long-term growth potential.

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3. Earn a 401(k) matching contributions

If your employer offers matching contributions for a workplace retirement plan, invest enough each month to earn the match. The employer match is like free money and is an effortless way to save for retirement.

If your employer doesn’t offer matching contributions, consider investing with a traditional or Roth IRA. Each account type has its own tax benefits and you can start making penalty-free withdrawals at age 59 ½.

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4. Save for specific goals

It’s important to plan for short-term and long-term goals in addition to retirement to avoid going into debt. It’s possible to open a high-yield savings account for each goal. Let your high-yield savings account do the heavy lifting when it comes to earning interest on your hard-earned money. Open a high-yield savings account today to start collecting cash.

You can also pay cash for smaller expenses (like a vacation) in order to protect your FICO score, credit history, and credit utilization rate by not borrowing money.

Also, consider opening high-yield savings accounts for larger goals like a down payment on a home. A large cash down payment can waive private mortgage interest (PMI) and reduce the total loan interest charges.

As your goals change, you can repurpose the account for the next goal. Some of these goals can eventually be for your retirement years, like a cross-country RV trip.

HERE'S HOW MUCH A HIGH-YIELD SAVINGS ACCOUNT PAYS

Are high-yield savings accounts worth it?

A high-yield savings account is a low-risk and easy way to earn a higher interest rate on non-invested cash. These accounts are insured up to $250,000 and don’t charge a monthly service fee or other hidden bank fees.

PROS AND CONS OF HIGH-YIELD SAVINGS ACCOUNTS