Betterment Cash Reserve vs Traditional Savings: What You Need to Know

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Betterment Cash Reserve is a unique savings account that earns a higher interest rate than a traditional savings account. It allows you to earn up to 4.5% APY with no fees or minimums.

This account is designed to help you set aside money for short-term goals or emergencies. You can link it to your Betterment investment accounts to easily transfer funds.

The interest rate on Betterment Cash Reserve is competitive with high-yield savings accounts. It's also FDIC-insured, which means your deposits are insured up to $250,000.

By keeping a portion of your money in a cash reserve, you can avoid dipping into your investments during market downturns. This can help you stay on track with your long-term financial goals.

What is Betterment Cash Reserve?

Betterment Cash Reserve is a high-yield savings account that offers a low-risk way to earn interest on your money. It's designed to help you save for short-term goals or cover unexpected expenses.

Handwritten motivational message on cardboard for a better future.
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You can earn up to 4.00% APY on your cash, which is a competitive rate in the market. This means you can earn more interest on your money without taking on unnecessary risk.

Betterment Cash Reserve is FDIC-insured, which means your deposits are insured up to $250,000. This provides an additional layer of security for your money.

There are no fees to open or maintain a Betterment Cash Reserve account, making it a cost-effective option. You can also link your external bank accounts to transfer funds into and out of the account.

Benefits and Features

Betterment Cash Reserve offers several notable benefits that make it an attractive option for those looking to maximize their savings potential.

One of the key advantages is the flexibility it provides, with no withdrawal limits, allowing customers to use their savings without facing penalties or fees.

This unrestricted access to funds makes the account suitable for emergency funds or other short-term savings goals, giving you peace of mind knowing your money is easily accessible when you need it.

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Betterment Cash Reserve also offers high-yield interest, helping your savings grow over time, and can be used to take advantage of investment opportunities or make large purchases without worrying about additional costs.

The account is designed to be a low-risk option, making it a great choice for those who want to keep their savings safe while still earning a return.

With no hidden fees or penalties, you can focus on growing your savings, knowing you're not losing any money to unnecessary charges.

Savings and Earnings

To earn a competitive rate with Betterment Cash Reserve, you'll need an opening deposit of just $10. This is a low barrier to entry, making it accessible to a wide range of savers.

The interest rate is 4.00% APY, which is competitive with other high-yield savings accounts on the market.

You can earn this rate on any balance, regardless of how much money you have in your account. This means you can start earning interest right away, even with a small initial deposit.

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To put this into perspective, if you have a balance of $1,000, you could earn $40 in interest per year, assuming the interest rate remains the same.

Here's a breakdown of the key features of Betterment Cash Reserve:

Keep in mind that interest rates are subject to change, so it's essential to review the terms and conditions before opening an account.

Limitations and Drawbacks

Betterment Cash Reserve does not provide ATM cards, making it inconvenient for those who need frequent and immediate access to their cash for everyday expenses or emergencies.

Transferring funds to a linked account can result in additional transfer times, making it less convenient for those requiring instant funds access.

Here are some key limitations to consider:

  • No ATM access
  • No opportunity to grow compared to cash in stocks and bonds
  • May not be suitable for those with short-term needs or emergencies

It's essential to weigh these limitations against the benefits of Betterment Cash Reserve and consider your unique financial needs and goals.

ACH Limits

ACH limits can be a bit of a mystery, but fortunately, Betterment Cash Reserve is transparent about its capabilities. There is no clear information on ACH limits in the provided article sections, but we do know that Betterment EverydayCash Reserve has ACH capabilities.

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Unfortunately, the article doesn't provide specific details on the ACH limits for Betterment EverydayCash Reserve. However, it does ask for help in the form of a table in the Editor's Note section.

If you're considering using Betterment Cash Reserve, it's worth noting that you won't have to worry about withdrawal limits, which can be a relief in emergency situations.

Fdic Insurance

FDIC Insurance provides a high level of coverage, ensuring that customers' funds are protected even in a bank failure.

The standard FDIC insurance offered by most banks is $250,000, but Betterment Cash Reserve provides up to $1 million in coverage through its partner banks.

This higher coverage range offers an added layer of protection for those with more significant balances, giving them peace of mind and confidence in their account.

This level of protection is a significant advantage over traditional banks, which may not offer the same level of security.

Betterment Cash Reserve's FDIC insurance is a key feature that sets it apart from other savings accounts, making it a strong contender for those seeking a high-yield cash account.

No ATM Access

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No ATM Access can be a significant drawback for those who need frequent and immediate access to their cash for everyday expenses or emergencies.

This is because Betterment Cash Reserve does not provide ATM cards, forcing customers to transfer funds to a linked account to access cash.

This can result in additional transfer times, making it less convenient for those requiring instant funds access.

Drawbacks of

Having too much cash in savings can be a drawback, as it may not be growing as much as it could be in a stock or bond investment. This is because cash in savings is low risk, but it also doesn't have the opportunity to grow like investments do.

One of the main limitations of Betterment Cash Reserve is the lack of ATM access. Customers must transfer funds to a linked account to access cash, which can be inconvenient for those who need frequent and immediate access to their cash.

Close-up image of a shiny pink piggy bank surrounded by US hundred dollar bills, symbolizing savings and finance.
Credit: pexels.com, Close-up image of a shiny pink piggy bank surrounded by US hundred dollar bills, symbolizing savings and finance.

If you have too much cash in savings, you may be missing out on growth from stock or bond investments. This is because cash in savings is liquid and low risk, but it also doesn't have the opportunity to grow like investments do.

Having too much cash in savings can also mean you're not taking advantage of investment opportunities, which can support long-term goals. For most goals longer than 12 months, consider putting your cash into stock and bond investments, which have had greater long-term gains historically than leaving your cash in savings.

Here are some key facts to consider:

  • Cash in savings is liquid, meaning it's easy to access when you need to withdraw it for spending.
  • Cash in savings is low risk, meaning your money should not decrease in value like stocks if you stay within FDIC insurance limits.
  • Cash in savings does not have the opportunity to grow compared to cash in stocks and bonds, especially when savings rates are not keeping up with inflation.

Managing Your Account

You can easily access and manage your Betterment Cash Reserve account online or through the mobile app.

To get started, sign in to your account and click on the "Cash Reserve" tab.

You can link your external bank accounts to your Cash Reserve account for easy transfers.

This allows you to transfer funds into or out of your Cash Reserve account as needed.

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Transfers typically take 2-3 business days to process.

You can also set up automatic transfers from your linked bank accounts to your Cash Reserve account.

This helps you save money regularly and avoid overdraft fees.

To make changes to your account settings, click on the "Settings" icon in the top right corner of the screen.

From there, you can update your account information, change your password, or adjust your transfer settings.

It's a good idea to review your account regularly to ensure everything is in order.

Comparison and Decision

The Betterment Cash Reserve is a high-yield savings account that's FDIC-insured, offering 2.7 times the national average APY.

It's a great option for those who want to earn a higher interest rate than a traditional savings account.

The Betterment Cash Reserve has no fees, including no maintenance fees, overdraft fees, or transfer fees.

This makes it a low-maintenance option for those who want to keep their money safe and liquid.

The account also offers automatic savings tools, such as round-ups and savings goals, to help you stay on track with your financial goals.

These tools can be especially helpful for those who are just starting to build up their savings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have to pay taxes on Betterment cash reserve?

Yes, interest earned on your Betterment cash reserve is taxable as ordinary income. You'll receive a Form 1099-INT to report this income on your tax return.

Does Betterment charge a fee for cash reserve?

No, Betterment does not charge a fee for Cash Reserve. The program banks compensate Betterment, and no fees are charged on your CR balance.

What is the difference between a savings account and a cash reserve account?

A cash reserve account is specifically for emergency and unexpected expenses, while a savings account is for planned future investments or other uses. Understanding the difference can help you manage your finances more effectively.

Antoinette Cassin

Senior Copy Editor

Antoinette Cassin is a seasoned copy editor with over a decade of experience in the field. Her expertise lies in medical and insurance-related content, particularly focusing on complex areas such as medical malpractice and liability insurance. Antoinette ensures that every piece of writing is clear, accurate, and free of legal and grammatical errors.

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