Certificates of deposit rates dipped moderately in the second half of 2024 due to Federal Reserve interest rate cuts but have bounced back in 2025, with the best CD rates falling into the 4.5% range.

Social Security payments reliably safeguard against inflation. Critics sometimes dispute the details of the administration’s cost-of-living adjustments—although, one suspects, few recipients will ...

Fixed-income investors need predictable income, and one of the classic ways to receive continual cash flow from investments is to set up a bond ladder. Just like a step ladder has ever-higher rungs, ...

A CD ladder consists of opening several CDs with different maturity dates. A CD ladder's benefit is you can earn high rates and also have access to portions of your money at frequent intervals. With a ...

A bond ladder is an investment strategy that involves purchasing multiple bonds that mature at different times. The ladder analogy is an apt visual tool to describe how bond ladders work: Each rung of ...

Julia Kagan is a financial/consumer journalist and former senior editor, personal finance, of Investopedia. Khadija Khartit is a strategy, investment, and funding expert, and an educator of fintech ...

A certificate of deposit (CD) ladder is a strategic approach to investing that can help you maximize returns while maintaining flexibility and access to your funds. This method involves spreading your ...

Blanket ladders pull double duty as cozy decor that also serves as subtle storage, making them a powerhouse solution for small spaces. Whether you're displaying your bulky blankets, scarves, or ...

Solid CD rates allow retirees to secure a reliable income with a CD ladder strategy. Retirees need to balance lower-returning CDs with stocks and other investments. Building a CD ladder involves using ...