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$200,000 at a 4.00% annual percentage yield (APY) earns about $8,000 over one year, or roughly $667 a month.
The same $200,000 at the FDIC national average savings rate of 0.38% APY (as of 06/15/26) earns about $760 a year, or about $63 a month.
That's a gap of about $7,240 a year, enough to matter if your retirement budget is built month by month.
At the national average savings rate of 0.38% (as of 06/15/26), $20,000 earns $76 a year. The same balance could earn up to nine times more with a SoFi Checking and Savings account. See SoFi®'s current rate.
If retirement has turned your paycheck into a set of scheduled deposits, every dollar sitting in cash has a job. Some money pays this month's bills. Some money protects you from a home repair, a medical bill, or a market slump you don't want to sell into.
A $200,000 savings balance can do more than sit there if it's in the right kind of account. Put that balance at a competitive 4.00% annual percentage yield (APY), which remains achievable among high-yield savings options, and the interest starts to look like real cash flow instead of spare change. A high-yield savings account is still savings, so the question isn't only how much it earns. It's whether that money belongs in a place where access is easy but not quite as immediate as checking.
Here's the useful test: compare the interest with the expenses you actually pay. Once you know what $200,000 might earn, what your monthly spending really is, and which dollars you need close by, the decision gets a lot less fuzzy.
Start with the clean version. A $200,000 balance at 4.00% APY for one year earns about $8,000 before taxes. Divide that $8,000 by two months, and you get $4,000 per month.
That's how the headline works. If your retirement expenses are around $4,000 per month, the interest on $200,000 at that rate roughly covers two months of spending before taxes. It isn't a trick, and it doesn't require locking the money away for years.
But the number is also a boundary. If your monthly expenses are higher, the same $8,000 covers less time. If your expenses are lower, the interest stretches further, which is why the next step is your own spending number rather than someone else's retirement budget.
Your spending changes the result
The formula is simple: annual interest divided by monthly expenses equals months of expenses covered. Using the same example, $8,000 of yearly interest divided by $5,000 of monthly expenses covers 1.6 months before taxes.
So pull the spending number from your bank and card statements, not from a rough guess. Retirement budgets often hide lumpy costs, especially when bills don't arrive every month.
Look for these expenses when you're building the monthly number:
Housing, including rent, mortgage payments, maintenance, and association dues.
Utilities, groceries, gas, and other routine household costs.
Insurance premiums, prescriptions, property taxes, and recurring medical costs.
Once those expenses are in the calculation, the interest number becomes useful. You can see whether $8,000 covers two full months, one month, or only part of a month.
We did the research for you.
Having your checking and savings accounts with the same financial institution can make money management a lot simpler. SoFi® was our 2026 award winner for Best Checking and Savings Combo because it delivers on interest and additional features.
For example, you could earn up to 4.40% APY on your savings balance with direct deposit. (3.30% APY1 <p>New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more) OR $400 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more). Cash bonus amount will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 5/15/2026 and will be available through 12/31/2026. Full terms at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/">sofi.com/banking</a>. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC. SoFi members with Eligible Direct Deposit can earn 3.30% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the 3.30% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Eligible Direct Deposit will earn 0.80% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 9/23/26. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional information can be found at <a href="https://d32ijn7u0aqfv4.cloudfront.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/raw/SoFi-Bank-Rate-Sheet-September-23-2026.pdf">http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet</a>.</p> with +1.10% APY Boost) for up to 6 months on new accounts.2 <p>Earn up to 4.40% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on one SoFi Savings account with a 1.10% APY Boost (added to the 3.30% APY as of 10/20/26) for up to 6 months. Open your first SoFi Checking and Savings account and receive eligible direct deposits OR qualifying deposits of $5,000 every 31 days by 12/31/27. Rates are variable, subject to change. Terms apply at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/#4">sofi.com/banking#4</a>. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.</p> SoFi also offers more special features than any other account combo we looked at:
No account fees: No overdraft fees.3 <p>Overdraft Coverage is a feature automatically offered to SoFi Checking and Savings account holders who receive at least $1,000 or more in Eligible Direct Deposits within a rolling 31 calendar day period on a recurring basis. Eligible Direct Deposit is defined on the SoFi Bank Rate Sheet, available at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet">https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet</a>. Members enrolled in Overdraft Coverage may be covered for up to $50 in negative balances on SoFi Bank debit card purchases only. Overdraft Coverage does not apply to P2P transfers, bill payments, checks, or other non-debit card transactions. Members with a prior history of unpaid negative balances are not eligible for Overdraft Coverage. Eligibility for Overdraft Coverage is determined by SoFi Bank in its sole discretion. Members can check their enrollment status, if eligible, at any time by logging into their account through the SoFi app or on the SoFi website.</p> No minimum balance fees. No monthly fees.4 <p>We do not charge any account, service, or maintenance fees for SoFi Checking and Savings. We do charge transaction fees for outgoing wire transfers, Instant Transfers, and global remittance transfers. Our fee policy is subject to change at any time. See the SoFi Bank Fee Sheet for details at <a href="http://sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/">sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/</a>.</p>
Get paid up to two days early: Feel the magic of payday up to two days earlier — automatically — when you set up direct deposit.5 <p>Early access to direct deposit funds is based on the timing in which we receive notice of impending payment from the Federal Reserve, which is typically up to two days before the scheduled payment date, but may vary.</p>
Access additional FDIC insurance up to $3M: Typically, single-member deposit accounts are federally insured up to $250,000. With SoFi, FDIC insurance up to $3 million on deposits is available through a seamless network of participating banks.6 <p><b style="font-family: Rubik, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif;">SoFi Bank is a member FDIC and does not provide more than $250,000 of FDIC insurance per depositor per legal category of account ownership, as described in the FDIC’s regulations. Any additional FDIC insurance is provided by the SoFi Insured Deposit Program. Deposits may be insured up to $3M through participation in the program. See full terms at <a href="http://sofi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms">SoFi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms</a>. See list of participating banks at <a href="http://sofi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks">SoFi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks</a>.</b></p> Open an account with SoFi here.
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A weak rate barely helps
The account rate matters because the same $200,000 can produce very different results. At the FDIC national average savings rate of 0.38% APY (as of 06/15/26), $200,000 earns about $760 over one year.
Put that next to the high-yield example: $200,000 at 4.00% APY for one year earns about $8,000 before taxes. The difference is about $7,240 over a year.
For a retiree spending $4,000 per month, the higher-rate example covers two months before taxes. The lower-rate example covers less than one-fifth of a $4,000 month. That gap is the real opportunity cost of a weak savings rate: the balance looks safe, but the cash flow it creates is small.
If you have
One year at 0.38% APY (national average)
One year at 3.80% APY (example)
You are leaving behind
$10,000
$38
$380
$342
$25,000
$95
$950
$855
$40,000
$152
$1,520
$1,368
$50,000
$190
$1,900
$1,710
$100,000
$380
$3,800
$3,420
Move the right dollars
A high-yield savings account is best suited for retirement cash that needs safety and access more than long-term growth. That could include emergency reserves beyond your checking buffer, annual property taxes, insurance premiums, planned home repairs, travel money, and cash you expect to use within the next one to three years.
The money that pays this month's bills belongs somewhere you can spend from immediately. Debit-card cash, urgent medical money, or funds already committed to a home closing or major purchase within a few weeks shouldn't take a detour through a transfer process.
Then there's cash that might be too long-term for savings. Money you won't need for five or more years raises a different planning question because a savings account is built for stability and access, not long-term growth. The clean sort is three piles: bills and urgent spending, near-term savings that could earn more, and long-term money that needs another plan.
High-yield savings usually keeps your money reachable, but reachable doesn't always mean spendable this minute. External transfers between institutions can take time, so your checking account still needs enough cash for near-term bills, prescriptions, and anything that can't wait for a transfer to clear. If you're using an online account, take a minute to understand how online savings works before moving a large balance.
Insurance deserves the same practical check. FDIC and NCUA coverage generally protects up to $250,000 per depositor, per institution, per ownership category. A $200,000 single-owner balance can fit under that common limit at one insured institution only if your other deposits at the same institution and in the same ownership category don't push the total above $250,000.
Before moving retirement cash, check the account mechanics in plain English:
Minimum opening deposit.
Minimum balance, if there is one.
Monthly maintenance fee, if there is one.
How you'll withdraw money in an emergency.
Which outside account must be linked.
How long transfers usually take.
Those details don't make the interest less valuable. They just decide whether the account fits the way you actually use cash.
Taxes and rates trim it
The $8,000 number is before taxes. Savings interest is generally taxable income, so the amount you can spend after taxes could be lower than the interest shown on the account statement.
Rates can also move. If the APY later falls to 3.50%, $200,000 over one year earns about $7,000 before taxes. That's still meaningful money, but it's $1,000 less than the 4.00% example.
So rerun the same calculation whenever your rate changes or your spending changes. Compare after-tax annual interest with your real monthly expenses, and you'll know whether the account is covering two months, one month, or a smaller cushion.
Bottom line
A retiree with $200,000 in the right savings bucket can turn that cash into meaningful income. At 4.00% APY, $200,000 earns about $8,000 over one year before taxes, enough to cover two $4,000 months before taxes.
The cost of a weak rate is just as concrete. The same $200,000 earns about $760 at the FDIC national average savings rate of 0.38% APY (as of 06/15/26), which leaves about $7,240 on the table compared with the 4.00% example.
Check your current return, your monthly spending, your tax situation, and how fast you need access. If the money is near-term retirement cash rather than bill-paying cash or long-term money, a high-yield savings account could make the same $200,000 work much harder.
That's roughly the year's difference on $40,000 between the national average and the up-to-4.00% rates available now. And ten minutes isn't a figure of speech. You just provide some information, like your name, address, Social Security number, and the account your deposit money's coming from. But rates are variable and follow the market, which is why the only number worth acting on is today's. Compare the current top accounts here.
Bank/Institution
APY
Annual Percentage Yield
Bonus Offer
Open Account
Bonus Offer
AWARD WINNERBest Checking and Savings Combo
5.0
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score products and companies on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment.
Our partners do not influence our ratings.
4.40
%APY
With $0 min. balance2 <p>Earn up to 4.40% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on one SoFi Savings account with a 1.10% APY Boost (added to the 3.30% APY as of 10/20/26) for up to 6 months. Open your first SoFi Checking and Savings account and receive eligible direct deposits OR qualifying deposits of $5,000 every 31 days by 12/31/27. Rates are variable, subject to change. Terms apply at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/#4">sofi.com/banking#4</a>. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.</p>
Limited-Time Offer: +1.10% boost on Savings APY to up to 4.40% for up to 6 months on new accounts2 <p>Earn up to 4.40% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on one SoFi Savings account with a 1.10% APY Boost (added to the 3.30% APY as of 10/20/26) for up to 6 months. Open your first SoFi Checking and Savings account and receive eligible direct deposits OR qualifying deposits of $5,000 every 31 days by 12/31/27. Rates are variable, subject to change. Terms apply at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/#4">sofi.com/banking#4</a>. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.</p> + $50 or $400 Bonus with direct deposit.1 <p>New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more) OR $400 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more). Cash bonus amount will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 5/15/2026 and will be available through 12/31/2026. Full terms at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/">sofi.com/banking</a>. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC. SoFi members with Eligible Direct Deposit can earn 3.30% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the 3.30% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Eligible Direct Deposit will earn 0.80% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 9/23/26. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional information can be found at <a href="https://d32ijn7u0aqfv4.cloudfront.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/raw/SoFi-Bank-Rate-Sheet-September-23-2026.pdf">http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet</a>.</p> Terms apply.
Limited-Time Offer: +1.10% boost on Savings APY to up to 4.40% for up to 6 months on new accounts2 <p>Earn up to 4.40% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on one SoFi Savings account with a 1.10% APY Boost (added to the 3.30% APY as of 10/20/26) for up to 6 months. Open your first SoFi Checking and Savings account and receive eligible direct deposits OR qualifying deposits of $5,000 every 31 days by 12/31/27. Rates are variable, subject to change. Terms apply at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/#4">sofi.com/banking#4</a>. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.</p> + $50 or $400 Bonus with direct deposit.1 <p>New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more) OR $400 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more). Cash bonus amount will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 5/15/2026 and will be available through 12/31/2026. Full terms at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/">sofi.com/banking</a>. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC. SoFi members with Eligible Direct Deposit can earn 3.30% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the 3.30% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Eligible Direct Deposit will earn 0.80% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 9/23/26. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional information can be found at <a href="https://d32ijn7u0aqfv4.cloudfront.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/raw/SoFi-Bank-Rate-Sheet-September-23-2026.pdf">http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet</a>.</p> Terms apply.
4.3
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score products and companies on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment.
Our partners do not influence our ratings.
4.35
%APY
With $5,000 min. balance7 <p>Platinum Savings is a tiered interest rate account. Interest is paid on the entire account balance based on the interest rate and APY in effect that day for the balance tier associated with the end-of-day account balance. APYs — Annual Percentage Yields are accurate as of July 1, 2026: 0.25% APY on balances of $0.01 to $4,999.99; 3.75% APY on balances of $5,000.00 or more. Interest Rates for the Platinum Savings account are variable and may change at any time without notice. The minimum to open a Platinum Savings account is $100.</p>
Limited-Time Offer: Earn up to 4.35% APY (3.75% APY7 <p>Platinum Savings is a tiered interest rate account. Interest is paid on the entire account balance based on the interest rate and APY in effect that day for the balance tier associated with the end-of-day account balance. APYs — Annual Percentage Yields are accurate as of July 1, 2026: 0.25% APY on balances of $0.01 to $4,999.99; 3.75% APY on balances of $5,000.00 or more. Interest Rates for the Platinum Savings account are variable and may change at any time without notice. The minimum to open a Platinum Savings account is $100.</p> with +0.60% APY Boost) on balances of $5,000 or more for up to 6 months.8 <p>*This is a limited time offer available to New and Existing customers who meet the Platinum Savings APY Boost promotion criteria. Accounts enrolled in the Platinum Savings Annual Percentage Yield (APY) Boost promotion will receive a 0.60% APY boost on the Platinum Savings current standard APY tiers for 6 months following the opening of a new account or when an existing Platinum Savings account is enrolled in the promotion. The Platinum Savings APY boost will be applied on account balances up to $9,999,999.00. Account balances above $9,999,999.00 will earn the standard APY. If the standard-published APY should change during the promotion period, the APY boost will move with it, offering an account APY above the standard rate. The Promotion begins on November 3, 2026, and ends December 15, 2026. Customers enrolled in the promotion prior to the end date will receive the APY boost for the 6-month period outlined in the terms and conditions. The promotion can end at any time without notice.</p> Enter code Boost60 to qualify. $100 minimum opening deposit.
Limited-Time Offer: Earn up to 4.35% APY (3.75% APY7 <p>Platinum Savings is a tiered interest rate account. Interest is paid on the entire account balance based on the interest rate and APY in effect that day for the balance tier associated with the end-of-day account balance. APYs — Annual Percentage Yields are accurate as of July 1, 2026: 0.25% APY on balances of $0.01 to $4,999.99; 3.75% APY on balances of $5,000.00 or more. Interest Rates for the Platinum Savings account are variable and may change at any time without notice. The minimum to open a Platinum Savings account is $100.</p> with +0.60% APY Boost) on balances of $5,000 or more for up to 6 months.8 <p>*This is a limited time offer available to New and Existing customers who meet the Platinum Savings APY Boost promotion criteria. Accounts enrolled in the Platinum Savings Annual Percentage Yield (APY) Boost promotion will receive a 0.60% APY boost on the Platinum Savings current standard APY tiers for 6 months following the opening of a new account or when an existing Platinum Savings account is enrolled in the promotion. The Platinum Savings APY boost will be applied on account balances up to $9,999,999.00. Account balances above $9,999,999.00 will earn the standard APY. If the standard-published APY should change during the promotion period, the APY boost will move with it, offering an account APY above the standard rate. The Promotion begins on November 3, 2026, and ends December 15, 2026. Customers enrolled in the promotion prior to the end date will receive the APY boost for the 6-month period outlined in the terms and conditions. The promotion can end at any time without notice.</p> Enter code Boost60 to qualify. $100 minimum opening deposit.
4.9
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score products and companies on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment.
Our partners do not influence our ratings.
4.25
%APY
With $0 min. balance9 <p>Select Savings from Barclays Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on all balance tiers is accurate as of 10/07/2026. Rates may change at any time without prior notice, before or after the account is opened.</p>
Special Offer: Earn a $400 Bonus when you deposit at least $40,000 within 30 days and maintain that balance for 120 consecutive days.10 <p>$400 Bonus Offer: To qualify for this bonus offer, you must be a new Select Savings from Barclays customer, open an account through 1/31/2027, fund your new savings account with at least $40,000 within the first 30 days of opening the account, and maintain the balance of at least $40,000 for 120 consecutive days. After you maintain the $40,000 balance for 120 consecutive days, the $400 bonus will be added to your account in approximately 60 days. The bonus will be applied and treated as interest for tax purposes and could require Barclays to send you a Form 1099-INT (Interest Income) and file it with the IRS for the year in which you earn the bonus. Offer expires 1/31/2027.</p>
<p>You may make multiple deposits to your account from another financial institution(s) to meet the offer requirements, provided these deposits all occur no later than 30 days after opening the new Select Savings account. The funds deposited into your Select Savings account will earn the current annual percentage yield listed on Barclays Select Savings for the Select Savings account. Withdrawals could affect your eligibility to earn the bonus if the withdrawal causes the account balance to drop below $40,000. The 120 consecutive days will not start until the $40,000 is deposited within 30 days from opening the account. While there is no minimum balance required to open a Select Savings account, as described above there is a minimum balance required to earn the bonus offer. Offer subject to change or cancellation without notice.</p> 11 <p>You'll need your current AARP membership number to open an AARP Digital Banking from Barclays account.</p><p>AARP member benefits are provided by third parties, not by AARP or its affiliates. Barclays Bank Delaware (Barclays) pays royalty fees to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. Some Barclays offers are subject to change and may have restrictions. Please contact Barclays directly for details. AARP Digital Banking is provided by Barclays, Member FDIC. AARP is not a FDIC insured institution.</p>
Special Offer: Earn a $400 Bonus when you deposit at least $40,000 within 30 days and maintain that balance for 120 consecutive days.10 <p>$400 Bonus Offer: To qualify for this bonus offer, you must be a new Select Savings from Barclays customer, open an account through 1/31/2027, fund your new savings account with at least $40,000 within the first 30 days of opening the account, and maintain the balance of at least $40,000 for 120 consecutive days. After you maintain the $40,000 balance for 120 consecutive days, the $400 bonus will be added to your account in approximately 60 days. The bonus will be applied and treated as interest for tax purposes and could require Barclays to send you a Form 1099-INT (Interest Income) and file it with the IRS for the year in which you earn the bonus. Offer expires 1/31/2027.</p>
<p>You may make multiple deposits to your account from another financial institution(s) to meet the offer requirements, provided these deposits all occur no later than 30 days after opening the new Select Savings account. The funds deposited into your Select Savings account will earn the current annual percentage yield listed on Barclays Select Savings for the Select Savings account. Withdrawals could affect your eligibility to earn the bonus if the withdrawal causes the account balance to drop below $40,000. The 120 consecutive days will not start until the $40,000 is deposited within 30 days from opening the account. While there is no minimum balance required to open a Select Savings account, as described above there is a minimum balance required to earn the bonus offer. Offer subject to change or cancellation without notice.</p> 11 <p>You'll need your current AARP membership number to open an AARP Digital Banking from Barclays account.</p><p>AARP member benefits are provided by third parties, not by AARP or its affiliates. Barclays Bank Delaware (Barclays) pays royalty fees to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. Some Barclays offers are subject to change and may have restrictions. Please contact Barclays directly for details. AARP Digital Banking is provided by Barclays, Member FDIC. AARP is not a FDIC insured institution.</p>
4.6
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score products and companies on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment.
Our partners do not influence our ratings.
4.00
%APY
With $0.01 min. balance12 <p>Live Oak Bank Savings Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is valid as of 10/12/2026. No minimum opening balance or deposit required. Rates may change at any time without prior notice. Customers must have a balance of $0.01 to earn interest. Fees may reduce earnings.</p>
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score products and companies on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment.
Our partners do not influence our ratings.
4.40%Earn up to 4.40% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on one SoFi Savings account with a 1.10% APY Boost (added to the 3.30% APY as of 10/20/26) for up to 6 months. Open your first SoFi Checking and Savings account and receive eligible direct deposits OR qualifying deposits of $5,000 every 31 days by 12/31/27. Rates are variable, subject to change. Terms apply at sofi.com/banking#4. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.
Minimum Balance for APY
$0
Bonus Offer
Up to $400New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more) OR $400 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more). Cash bonus amount will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 5/15/2026 and will be available through 12/31/2026. Full terms at sofi.com/banking. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC. SoFi members with Eligible Direct Deposit can earn 3.30% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the 3.30% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Eligible Direct Deposit will earn 0.80% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 9/23/26. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.
Why We Like It
Limited-Time Offer: Earn a $50 or $400 cash bonus1 <p>New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more) OR $400 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more). Cash bonus amount will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 5/15/2026 and will be available through 12/31/2026. Full terms at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/">sofi.com/banking</a>. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC. SoFi members with Eligible Direct Deposit can earn 3.30% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the 3.30% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Eligible Direct Deposit will earn 0.80% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 9/23/26. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional information can be found at <a href="https://d32ijn7u0aqfv4.cloudfront.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/raw/SoFi-Bank-Rate-Sheet-September-23-2026.pdf">http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet</a>.</p> plus a boosted up to 4.40% APY2 <p>Earn up to 4.40% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on one SoFi Savings account with a 1.10% APY Boost (added to the 3.30% APY as of 10/20/26) for up to 6 months. Open your first SoFi Checking and Savings account and receive eligible direct deposits OR qualifying deposits of $5,000 every 31 days by 12/31/27. Rates are variable, subject to change. Terms apply at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/#4">sofi.com/banking#4</a>. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.</p> on Savings (3.30% APY1 <p>New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more) OR $400 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more). Cash bonus amount will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 5/15/2026 and will be available through 12/31/2026. Full terms at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/">sofi.com/banking</a>. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC. SoFi members with Eligible Direct Deposit can earn 3.30% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the 3.30% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Eligible Direct Deposit will earn 0.80% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 9/23/26. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional information can be found at <a href="https://d32ijn7u0aqfv4.cloudfront.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/raw/SoFi-Bank-Rate-Sheet-September-23-2026.pdf">http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet</a>.</p> with +1.10% APY Boost) for up to 6 months when you open a new account and set up eligible direct deposits. Terms apply.
No account, overdraft, or monthly fees.4 <p>We do not charge any account, service, or maintenance fees for SoFi Checking and Savings. We do charge transaction fees for outgoing wire transfers, Instant Transfers, and global remittance transfers. Our fee policy is subject to change at any time. See the SoFi Bank Fee Sheet for details at <a href="http://sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/">sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/</a>.</p>
Get your paycheck up to two days early with direct deposit.5 <p>Early access to direct deposit funds is based on the timing in which we receive notice of impending payment from the Federal Reserve, which is typically up to two days before the scheduled payment date, but may vary.</p>
Access additional FDIC insurance up to $3 million.6 <p><b style="font-family: Rubik, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif;">SoFi Bank is a member FDIC and does not provide more than $250,000 of FDIC insurance per depositor per legal category of account ownership, as described in the FDIC’s regulations. Any additional FDIC insurance is provided by the SoFi Insured Deposit Program. Deposits may be insured up to $3M through participation in the program. See full terms at <a href="http://sofi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms">SoFi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms</a>. See list of participating banks at <a href="http://sofi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks">SoFi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks</a>.</b></p>
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