Guide to Altered Checks and How to Spot One

Guide to Altered Checks and How to Spot One

Check fraud, financially damaging to its victims, has been going on for decades.

Here’s how it happens: When a check is altered (most commonly the payment amount or recipient name), this is a form of check fraud.

Keep reading to find out what constitutes an altered check and how to spot it.

What Is an Altered Check?

What is considered an altered check? It’s a normal paper check that was altered fraudulently. Essentially, if someone writes a check and another person changes the amount on the check (usually by adding an extra zero at the end of the check amount or by changing the payee’s name) in order to commit fraud, this is considered an altered check.

The payer or payee who was defrauded needs to report this fraud within a year to help ensure the loss will be covered. If a bank has reason to believe a check has been altered fraudulently, it can legally refuse to cash it.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) advises not leaving large spaces in the number and amount lines when writing a check to help avoid fraudulent alterations from occurring.

Altered checks are one of the most common types of check fraud. Other types include forgeries, counterfeit checks, and remote checks (this is when there is a false statement that says the account holder authorized a check in lieu of their signature).

Who is liable when a bank finds an altered check? According to the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) — which addresses altered checks in Section 3-407 — the liability can affect multiple parties, including:

•   The check writer

•   The check cashier

•   The bank that presents the check

•   The bank that verifies and cashes the check

It’s not always easy to know when a check is good.

To help soften the blow of altered check fraud, consumers can benefit greatly from examining their bank statements after they write a check to ensure the right amount is processed.

If you do find evidence of an altered check, you should ideally report the loss within 30 days, but you have to do so within one year if you want to be reimbursed for the loss.

Recommended: How to sign over a check to someone else.

Example of an Altered Check

Not sure what an altered check looks like? Let’s review an example of an altered check to make it easier to learn how to spot one.

Let’s say a check is made out to a dollar amount of $1,000. Look closely at that payment amount. Ask yourself these questions:

•   Does the last zero look like the same type of ink was used to write it and was written in the same style of handwriting?

•   Does that final zero appear to cross over a period?

It’s much more common to see an altered dollar amount than a changed name because it’s a lot easier to add a zero at the end of a series of numbers than it is to change a name completely.

Can an Altered Check be Cashed?

It is possible to cash an altered check, but fortunately it’s fairly difficult to pull off these days, thanks to advanced security efforts. Banks use high-tech watermarks and other authentication and fraud detection methods to make it very hard to cash altered checks.

One of the reasons that banks take fraud detection so seriously is because the liability can fall on the bank if they fund an altered check.

Is It Illegal to Alter a Check?

It is illegal to alter a check and if the amount of the check is more than $1,000, altering it is considered a felony. For altered checks of less than $1,000, this crime would be prosecuted as a misdemeanor. All jurisdictions have differing penalties, and these penalties can vary depending on factors such as the check amount.

All forms of check fraud are illegal, including counterfeiting and payroll fraud.

What Types of Checks Are Typically Altered?

Let’s take a closer look at the most common types of checks to be altered.

Cashier’s Checks

How safe is a cashier’s check? It functions similarly to personal checks. The main difference between them is that with a cashier’s check the bank or credit union that issued the check guarantees that it will cash. Despite the fact that cashier’s checks have added security features like watermarks and signatures from two bank employees, they can still fall prey to check fraud.

Traveler’s Checks

A traveler’s check is a paper document someone can use to make purchases while traveling in other countries instead of using a normal check or cash. All traveler’s checks have unique serial numbers that make it possible to get refunds if the checks are lost or stolen. It’s important to be careful when traveling as criminals look for tourists to steal from.

Recommended: Can you deposit traveler’s checks in your bank account?

Money Orders

Money orders can be more secure than personal checks, but they can still be altered, so it’s always a good idea to pay close attention to the details. Similar to a cashier’s check, a money order is guaranteed by the issuer of the check, but instead of a bank this can be the U.S. Postal Service or a retailer.

Tips for Banking Securely

Check out the following tips for consumer protection.

Monitor all Bank Accounts

Keeping an eye on the transaction history of a checking or savings account can help consumers catch fraudulent behavior like altered checks while there’s still time to remedy the situation.

Frequently Change Passwords

It’s a good idea to change your online banking and other passwords frequently and not to use the same password for multiple different accounts to help avoid someone stealing login information and using it to commit financial fraud. It’s also helpful to not include personal information (name, birthday, etc.) in a password and to use a mix of upper- and lower-case letters, special characters, and numbers when creating a new password.

Only Access Online Bank Accounts From Secure Locations

You shouldn’t log onto their online bank account when using shared public WiFi at your favorite coffee shop. It’s best to only ever log into important accounts when using a secure connection like at home so no one can intercept and steal account login information.

Recommended: Cashing a check without a bank account.

Banking With SoFi

Check fraud is an unfortunate reality and that’s why it’s a good idea for consumers to keep an eye on recent bank transactions to make sure any checks they wrote were cashed for the correct amount. A fraudulent check is a check with altered information on it — such as the amount or payee information.

There are steps consumers can take to protect their financial lives when banking. For example, it’s always best to bank with a financial institution that is FDIC (banks) or NCUA (credit unions) insured.

All SoFi Checking and Saving accounts receive industry-standard FDIC insurance of up to $250,000 per member. Open an online bank account with SoFi. When you sign up for Checking and Savings with direct deposit, you’ll earn a competitive APY on savings, and you don’t have to pay any account or overdraft fees.

Better banking is here with SoFi, NerdWallet’s 2024 winner for Best Checking Account Overall. Enjoy up to 4.60% APY on SoFi Checking and Savings.

FAQ

How do you tell if a check is altered?

More often than not, the payment amount is the part of a check that is fraudulently altered. Check the payment amount closely to see if it looks like an extra zero was added at the end or another number was changed.

How long does a bank have to return an altered check?

If you notice an altered check, ideally you should report it to the bank within 30 days. That being said, consumers have up to one year to report the loss to their bank in order to get the amount of the check returned to them.

What happens if you deposit a fake check without knowing it?

If you deposit a fake check without realizing you are doing so, you may be liable but oftentimes you aren’t. The bank that credited the account could choose to later reverse the funds if the check is found to be fraudulent. All banks have different policies regarding fraudulent checks.


Photo credit: iStock/AntonioGuillem

SoFi members with direct deposit activity can earn 4.60% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a deposit to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Deposits that are not from an employer or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate.

SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 4.60% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Qualifying Deposits means one or more deposits that, in the aggregate, are equal to or greater than $5,000 to an account holder’s SoFi Checking and Savings account (“Qualifying Deposits”) during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Qualifying Deposits only include those deposits from the following eligible sources: (i) ACH transfers, (ii) inbound wire transfers, (iii) peer-to-peer transfers (i.e., external transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc. and internal peer-to-peer transfers from a SoFi account belonging to another account holder), (iv) check deposits, (v) instant funding to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, (vi) push payments to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, and (vii) cash deposits. Qualifying Deposits do not include: (i) transfers between an account holder’s Checking account, Savings account, and/or Vaults; (ii) interest payments; (iii) bonuses issued by SoFi Bank or its affiliates; or (iv) credits, reversals, and refunds from SoFi Bank, N.A. (“SoFi Bank”) or from a merchant.

SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder’s Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits throughout each 30-Day Evaluation Period to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the “30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Upon receiving a Direct Deposit or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits to your account, you will begin earning 4.60% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% on checking balances on or before the following calendar day. You will continue to earn these APYs for (i) the remainder of the current 30-Day Evaluation Period and through the end of the subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period and (ii) any following 30-day Evaluation Periods during which SoFi Bank determines you to have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits without interruption.

SoFi Bank reserves the right to grant a grace period to account holders following a change in Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits activity before adjusting rates. If SoFi Bank grants you a grace period, the dates for such grace period will be reflected on the APY Details page of your account. If SoFi Bank determines that you did not have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits during the current 30-day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, then you will begin earning the rates earned by account holders without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits until you have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits in a subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period. For the avoidance of doubt, an account holder with both Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits will earn the rates earned by account holders with Direct Deposit.

Members without either Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits, as determined by SoFi Bank, during a 30-Day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, will earn 1.20% 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 10/24/2023. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.


SoFi® Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. ©2023 SoFi Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.
The SoFi Bank Debit Mastercard® is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.


Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

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Guide to Postal Banking

Guide to Postal Banking

A lot of people may not realize all that they can accomplish when running errands at the post office. Not only can they take care of mailing packages and picking up a fresh book of stamps, but in some cases they may be able to pursue financial services too — similar to what one might find at a bank.

Keep reading to learn more about what postal banking (also known as post office banking) entails. Among the topics covered are:

•   What is postal banking?

•   How does postal banking work?

•   What is the Postal Banking Act?

•   Why are some people opposed to postal banking?

•   What are the pros and cons of postal banking?

•   What are alternatives to postal banking?

What Is Postal Banking?

So, exactly what is postal banking? Postal banking involves a post office providing some level of basic financial services similar to a bank. This is a fairly common practice throughout the world, and it used to be common in the U.S. as well.

Many people are currently advocating to bring this service back to the U.S. It could provide a low-cost solution for America’s large unbanked population (aka people who don’t have any bank accounts, let alone multiple bank accounts).

The services that some postal offices offer when conducting postal banking can include things like cashing checks, paying bills, and issuing small loans.

How Does Postal Banking Work?

As briefly noted earlier, when postal banking is in place, a local post office can legally act like a type of bank branch. It may offer some simple banking services like bill payment processing and check cashing. Some post offices may even have the ability to issue small loans.

(It probably won’t have services like international payments via SWIFT system banking, though, or other less common transactions.)

It’s not that common anymore for U.S. post offices to offer services like these, but some do still sell money orders. If someone wants to safely pay a bill or send money to an individual without a checking account, a money order can really come in handy. It’s also possible to cash money orders at post offices in the U.S.

Some people are lobbying for U.S. post offices to expand their services on the financial front and provide more of the services that banks typically do.

The History of Postal Banking

In the past, postal banking in the U.S. was fairly common. Between 1922 and 1967, the Postal Savings System made it possible to deposit money into government-backed, interest-earning accounts at the post office. Eventually, however, commercial banks began to raise their savings account interest rates. With dwindling consumer interest in the Postal Savings System, the program ended in 1967.

In 2014, interest in postal banking in the U.S. began to surge again, thanks to a white paper released by the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General. This white paper garnered a lot of attention after pointing out that underserved, unbanked households spent more than $2,400 a year on average on fees and interest paid by turning to alternative financial sources. The solution to this expensive problem could be postal banking.

Fast forward to October 2021, and the Postal Service teamed up with the American Postal Workers Union to launch a small pilot postal banking program in four cities. At these post offices, customers can access services like bill payments, cash checking, and ATM withdrawals. It’s too early to say if this pilot program will lead to more widespread access to postal banking.

What Is the Postal Banking Act?

The previously mentioned white paper led to a bill known as the Postal Banking Act being sponsored in 2020 by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and co-sponsored by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.). This act would allow the U.S. Postal Service to provide some basic financial services. As of 2022, this act has been introduced but has not moved onto the next stage of being passed by the Senate.

Get up to $300 when you bank with SoFi.

Open a SoFi Checking and Savings Account with direct deposit and get up to a $300 cash bonus. Plus, get up to 4.60% APY on your cash!


Why Is There Opposition to Postal Banking?

There is some opposition to bringing back postal banking services in the U.S. One key issue is that some believe the U.S. Postal Service isn’t equipped to handle adding banking services. Opponents argue that these days, plenty of banks have low-cost programs that the unbanked can turn to. They may believe that the U.S. Postal Service should focus on optimizing its core offerings instead of diversifying.

Advantages of Postal Banking

To better understand the possible advantages of postal banking, consider these upsides:

Makes Financial Service More Accessible

For those that are unbanked, postal banking can provide a more affordable and accessible option for financial services. As a result, fewer unbanked individuals would need to turn to expensive alternatives like payday loans and check-cashing stores. They would have a simple way to cash checks and possibly a safe way to transfer funds from one account to another.

Low Cost

Again, postal banking can be more affordable than commercial banking. Sure, all financial institutions need to survive, and fees are how banks make money. But, as previously noted, postal banking can provide a much more affordable alternative to payday loans and check-cashing stores.

Convenient

Regardless of whether a person is unbanked or not, it can be very convenient to, say, cash a check while already running errands at the post office.

Disadvantages of Postal Banking

There are also some downsides of postal banking that need to be taken into consideration. These include:

A Big Undertaking

Some opponents of post office banking believe that the U.S. Postal Service isn’t prepared to launch a nationwide postal banking service. They feel it’s too big of an undertaking to contemplate and could interfere with the day-to-day mail service or other tasks.

Commercial Banking Can Be More Robust

Today, many banks and credit unions have low-cost banking programs that can better serve unbanked consumers. They may help them open personal and business bank accounts at reasonable rates.

How Postal Banking May Help Those Who Are Unbanked

As noted above, many believe that postal banking can make financial services much more affordable and accessible to the unbanked community. This community sometimes turns to pricey, predatory payday loan providers and check-cashing stores. They do so because they don’t have access to commercial banking services. Postal banking would cost less for these consumers and could provide them with options.

Future of Postal Banking in the United States

At this point, the future of postal banking in the U.S. is unclear. Time will tell if postal banking can become more common.

Alternatives to Postal Banking

Because it doesn’t appear that U.S. postal banking will be a common option any time soon, let’s look at some other options consumers have for accessing affordable banking services.

Credit Unions

Credit unions are not-for-profit organizations, so they tend to charge lower fees than commercial banks. This can make them a more affordable option. They also tend to offer higher interest rates on savings products and charge fewer fees in general.

Online Banks

Online banks don’t have the costly overhead associated with running bricks-and-mortar banking locations. They often pass these savings along to their customers by charging fewer and/or lower fees and offering higher interest rates on savings accounts. Online banks can be very accessible since transactions can be done via convenient and safe mobile banking.

Banking With SoFi

What is postal banking? To recap, postal banking — also known as post office banking — occurs when post offices are allowed to offer select financial services to consumers. Postal banking is no longer common in the U.S. and it’s unclear if it will come back anytime soon.

If you’re looking for a new bank that could help your money grow faster, you may want to consider SoFi Checking and Savings. When you open a new bank account online with direct deposit, you can sidestep the usual bank fees, and earn a competitive APY.

Better banking is here with SoFi, NerdWallet’s 2024 winner for Best Checking Account Overall. Enjoy up to 4.60% APY on SoFi Checking and Savings.

FAQ

Why did the postal service stop banking?

The Postal Savings System — a program that made it possible to deposit money into government-backed, interest-earning accounts at the post office (a post office bank account of sorts) — ended in 1967. That’s when commercial banking became more competitive and popular, which contributed to less interest in this program.

Can a post office be a bank?

Currently in the U.S., post offices cannot act as a bank. This may change in the future, thanks to a resurgence in interest in postal banking.

Would postal banking save the post office?

While postal banking may help keep post offices busier and better funded, this isn’t a guarantee. Some opponents to postal banking worry that taking on postal banking may actually be challenging and potentially damaging to the U.S. Postal Service.


SoFi members with direct deposit activity can earn 4.60% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a deposit to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Deposits that are not from an employer or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate.

SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 4.60% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Qualifying Deposits means one or more deposits that, in the aggregate, are equal to or greater than $5,000 to an account holder’s SoFi Checking and Savings account (“Qualifying Deposits”) during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Qualifying Deposits only include those deposits from the following eligible sources: (i) ACH transfers, (ii) inbound wire transfers, (iii) peer-to-peer transfers (i.e., external transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc. and internal peer-to-peer transfers from a SoFi account belonging to another account holder), (iv) check deposits, (v) instant funding to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, (vi) push payments to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, and (vii) cash deposits. Qualifying Deposits do not include: (i) transfers between an account holder’s Checking account, Savings account, and/or Vaults; (ii) interest payments; (iii) bonuses issued by SoFi Bank or its affiliates; or (iv) credits, reversals, and refunds from SoFi Bank, N.A. (“SoFi Bank”) or from a merchant.

SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder’s Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits throughout each 30-Day Evaluation Period to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the “30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Upon receiving a Direct Deposit or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits to your account, you will begin earning 4.60% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% on checking balances on or before the following calendar day. You will continue to earn these APYs for (i) the remainder of the current 30-Day Evaluation Period and through the end of the subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period and (ii) any following 30-day Evaluation Periods during which SoFi Bank determines you to have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits without interruption.

SoFi Bank reserves the right to grant a grace period to account holders following a change in Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits activity before adjusting rates. If SoFi Bank grants you a grace period, the dates for such grace period will be reflected on the APY Details page of your account. If SoFi Bank determines that you did not have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits during the current 30-day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, then you will begin earning the rates earned by account holders without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits until you have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits in a subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period. For the avoidance of doubt, an account holder with both Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits will earn the rates earned by account holders with Direct Deposit.

Members without either Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits, as determined by SoFi Bank, during a 30-Day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, will earn 1.20% 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 10/24/2023. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.


SoFi® Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. ©2023 SoFi Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.
The SoFi Bank Debit Mastercard® is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.


Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

In our efforts to bring you the latest updates on things that might impact your financial life, we may occasionally enter the political fray, covering candidates, bills, laws and more. Please note: SoFi does not endorse or take official positions on any candidates and the bills they may be sponsoring or proposing. We may occasionally support legislation that we believe would be beneficial to our members, and will make sure to call it out when we do. Our reporting otherwise is for informational purposes only, and shouldn’t be construed as an endorsement.

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Guide to Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Accounts

Guide to Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Accounts

An ABLE account — short for Achieving a Better Life Experience — is a tax-advantaged savings vehicle that’s designed for eligible people with disabilities. Designated beneficiaries can use an ABLE savings account to set aside money to pay for qualified disability-related expenses.

An ABLE savings account can offer substantial tax benefits for qualified individuals, as contributions grow tax deferred and qualified withdrawals are also tax free. Also referred to as a 529 A account (owing to its similarity to a 529 college savings plan), the ABLE account is designed to make saving and investing more advantageous for people with disabilities and their families.

What Is an ABLE Account?

An ABLE account is a tax-advantaged savings account for people with disabilities and their families. ABLE savings accounts allow people to pay for qualified disability expenses (QDEs) without impacting their ability to qualify for Medicaid or other government assistance programs.

The Achieving a Better Life Experience Act became law in December 2014. The intention behind the ABLE Act and the creation of ABLE accounts was to ease financial stress associated with paying for many of the QDEs associated with different disabilities. Qualified expenses include: housing, education, assistive technologies, specially equipped vehicles, and even food.

Under the ABLE Act, states have the authority to establish an ABLE disability account program. As of June 2022, all 50 states offer at least one ABLE savings account program, according to the ABLE National Resource Center. However, plans are currently inactive in Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

How Do ABLE Accounts Work?

An ABLE account is a type of tax-deferred savings account similar to a 529 college savings plan. These accounts work by allowing designated beneficiaries to contribute money, up to prescribed limits.

The money can come from various sources, including individual or corporate contributions, or a trust. The money in an ABLE savings account does not affect your eligibility for other government benefits.

Also like a 529 plan, the money grows on a tax-deferred basis and can be withdrawn tax free when it’s used to pay for qualified disability expenses. Broadly speaking, QDEs are any expenses a person with disability pays in order to maintain their health, independence, and quality of life.

However, withdrawals from an ABLE savings account for non-qualified expenses can result in those distributions being subject to tax. Using money in an ABLE disability account for non-qualified expenses could also affect eligibility for government assistance.

Benefits of an ABLE Account

Generally speaking, ABLE savings accounts are designed to make paying for certain expenses easier for people with disabilities. Here are some of the main advantages of opening an ABLE savings account.

Tax-Deferred Growth and Tax-Free Withdrawals

One of the main draws of ABLE accounts is their tax-advantaged status. The money that goes into an ABLE account can be invested and allowed to grow on a tax-deferred basis. As long as distributions are used to pay for QDEs, withdrawals are always 100% tax-free.

ABLE accounts have an edge over savings accounts, since designated beneficiaries can invest their money in the market. That means they have an opportunity to grow their savings through the power of compound interest.

Flexibility

The ABLE account allows for flexibility, since the money can be used to pay for a wide range of disability-related costs. With a traditional 529 plan, savers are limited to using funds to pay for education-related expenses. The ABLE savings account allows designated beneficiaries (i.e. the disabled individual or family member) to use the money for the categories noted above — housing, transportation, technology, food, etc. — as well as employment training, health and wellness costs, legal and administrative fees, and more.

Friends, family members, and others can contribute to ABLE accounts on behalf of the designated beneficiary, up to the annual limit. For 2022, the annual contribution limit, including rollovers from 529 plans, is $16,000.

And beneficiaries don’t have to worry about those contributions affecting their ability to qualify for Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or other forms of government aid, assuming they’re within certain limits. To learn more about who can make qualified contributions, check the ABLE website, or consult the ABLE program in your state.

Financial Autonomy

ABLE accounts afford designated beneficiaries with a measure of financial independence, since they can set up an ABLE account themselves and make contributions on their own behalf. Individuals can also manage the account, and decide how to invest their savings and when to take qualified distributions for eligible expenses.

An ABLE account can give a person with disabilities more control than something like a special needs trust, a type of trust fund. In a special needs trust, the trust grantor sets aside assets for a disabled beneficiary but that beneficiary doesn’t have a say in how the money can be used.

Get up to $300 when you bank with SoFi.

Open a SoFi Checking and Savings Account with direct deposit and get up to a $300 cash bonus. Plus, get up to 4.60% APY on your cash!


Drawbacks of an ABLE Account

While ABLE accounts have some positives, they’re not necessarily right for everyone who has a disability. Here are some of the potential drawbacks to consider when deciding whether to open an ABLE account.

Non-Deductible Contributions

Contributions to an ABLE savings account do not offer a tax break in the form of a deduction. (This is also true of some state 529 plans.) So even if you fully fund an ABLE account up to the annual limit each year, you can’t write those contributions off on your taxes.

Age Restrictions

An ABLE account can only be established for someone who has a blindness or disability that began before age 26. So someone who becomes disabled at age 27 or later would not be able to open an ABLE disability account.

The age requirement puts this type of special needs savings account out of reach for some individuals, though they could still be named the beneficiary of a special needs trust.

Means Testing

Money held in an ABLE account is subject to means testing for the purposes of qualifying for Supplemental Security Income and Medicaid. The first $100,000 in ABLE account assets is disregarded for SSI but going over that limit can result in a suspension of your benefit payments.

The $100,000 account balance threshold doesn’t affect Medicaid eligibility. But if a designated beneficiary passes away with money remaining in their ABLE account, the state can lay claim to those assets in order to recoup any Medicaid benefits that were received.

Opening an ABLE Account

People with disabilities can open an ABLE account in any state, as long as that state’s plan is open for enrollment. The ABLE National Resource Center maintains a map with details for each state’s program, including whether out-of-state residents are accepted.

Once you find an eligible program, you can open an ABLE account online. There’s some basic information you’ll need to provide, including:

•   Your name

•   Date of birth

•   Social Security number

•   Bank account number

Parents can open an ABLE account on behalf of a minor child with disabilities. You also have to meet the definition of a designated beneficiary. In New York, for example, you must be able to show that one of the following is true:

•   You’ve been classified as blind as defined in the Social Security Act

•   You’re entitled to SSI or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) due to a disability

•   You have a disability that’s included on the Social Security Administration’s List of Compassionate Allowances Conditions

•   You have a written diagnosis from a licensed physician documenting a physical or mental impairment which severely limits function, and is expected to last at least one year, or can cause death

Similar to opening a bank account, there may also be a low minimum deposit requirement to open an ABLE account.

Requirements of an ABLE Account

There are certain requirements that must be met in order to open an ABLE account. Generally, you’re eligible for one of these accounts if you:

•   Become eligible for Supplemental Security Income based on disability or blindness that began before age 26; or

•   Are entitled to disability insurance benefits, childhood disability benefits, or disabled widow’s or widower’s benefits based on a disability or blindness that began before age 26; or

•   Certify that you have a medical impairment resulting in blindness or disability that began before age 26.

Again, age and disability status are the most important requirements for ABLE savings accounts. You can open an ABLE account in your home state or in another state, if that state’s program allows non-residents to enroll. It’s important to note, however, that you can only have one ABLE account in your name.

How Much Can You Contribute to an ABLE Account?

The annual contribution limit is pegged to the gift tax exclusion limit each year, which is $16,000 for 2022. Eligible designated beneficiaries can, however, contribute additional money if they’re employed and have earned income for the year.

The IRS limits those contributions to an amount up to the lesser of:

•   The designated beneficiary’s compensation for the year, OR

•   The poverty line amount for a one-person household as established by the Community Services Block Grant Act

For 2022, the allowable amount for persons with disabilities in the continental United States is $12,880. The limit for residents of Alaska is $16,090 while the limit for Hawaii residents is $14,820.

Funds from a 529 college savings account can be rolled into an ABLE account. Any rollovers count toward the annual contribution limit. So if $6,000 have been contributed to the plan for the year already, in theory you could rollover up to $11,000 into an ABLE account from a 529 savings account for 2022.

How Can You Use ABLE Money?

As discussed earlier, money in an ABLE savings account can be used to pay for qualified disability expenses. That means expenses that are paid by or for the designated beneficiary and are related to their disability.

Examples of things you can use ABLE money for include:

•   Education

•   Housing expenses

•   Food

•   Transportation

•   Employment and career training and support

•   Assistance technology and related services

•   Health care

•   Prevention and wellness

•   Financial management and administrative services

•   Legal expenses

•   Funeral and burial expenses

•   Day-to-day living expenses

The IRS can perform audits to ensure that ABLE account funds are only being used for qualified disability expenses. So designated beneficiaries may want to keep a detailed record of withdrawal and how those funds are used, including copies of receipts.

ABLE Accounts vs Special Needs Trusts

A special needs trust (SNT) is another option for setting aside money for disability expenses. In a special needs trust, the beneficiary does not own any of the trust assets but the money in the trust can be used on their behalf. A trustee manages trust assets according to the direction of the trust grantor.

Here’s how ABLE accounts and special needs trusts compare at a glance. You may benefit from consulting a tax professional to understand when and how income from an SNT may be taxed.

ABLE Account

Special Needs Trust

Tax TreatmentGrowth is tax-deferred and qualified withdrawals are tax-free; there is no tax deduction for contributions.Income generated by the trust (i.e. withdrawals) is generally taxable to the beneficiary during their lifetime.
ControlDesignated beneficiaries can control how assets in their account are managed.The trustee manages the trust on behalf of the beneficiary, according to the wishes of the grantor.
Contribution LimitsContribution limits correspond to annual gift tax exclusion limits.No limit on contributions, though the gift tax may apply to contributions over the exclusion limit.
Medicaid/SSI ImpactUp to the first $100,000 in assets is not counted for SSI purposes; balances are not counted for Medicaid eligibility.Assets are not counted toward Medicaid or SSI eligibility.
Use of FundsFunds can be withdrawn tax-free to pay for qualified disability expenses.Funds can be withdrawn for any purpose, though they’re typically used for disability expenses. The beneficiary may owe taxes.
Age RequirementDisability must have occured before age 26.Beneficiaries must be under age 65 when the trust is created.

Alternatives to ABLE Accounts

If you don’t qualify for an ABLE account or you’re looking for ways to save on behalf of a disabled child or dependent, there are other accounts you might consider. Here are some options to weigh when looking for alternatives to ABLE accounts.

Special Needs Trust

As mentioned, an SNT can also be used to pay for disability-related expenses. Establishing a trust can be a little more involved than opening an ABLE account, since you’ll need to create the trust on paper, name a trustee, and fund it with assets. But doing so could make sense if you care for a disabled child or dependent and you want to ensure that they’ll be taken care of should something happen to you.

529 College Savings Account

A 529 college savings account is designed to help parents and other individuals save money for education while enjoying some tax benefits. Contributions can be made on behalf of a beneficiary with disabilities. That money can grow tax-deferred, then be withdrawn tax-free to pay for qualified education expenses.

You might open a 529 college savings account for yourself or your child to help them pay for school without incurring student debt.

Bank Accounts

Opening one or more bank accounts is another way to set aside money to pay for disability expenses. Bank accounts won’t yield any tax breaks but they can allow for convenience and accessibility.

•   In terms of how much money you need to open an account, that depends on the bank. Brick-and-mortar banks might require an opening deposit of anywhere from $5 to $100 while online banks might allow you to open a checking or savings account with as little as $1.

•   Can you open a bank account without ID? No. You’ll need to verify your name and address, typically with a government-issued ID, like a driver’s license.

•   So how long does it take to open a bank account? Not long, if you’re doing it online. Typically, when you have your basic forms of ID ready, the time it takes to open an online account is minimal.

•   When can you create a bank account online? The simple answer is when you’re old enough to do so. Keep in mind that the legal age to open a bank account in your name is typically 18 so if you’re underage, you may need your parents to open the account for you.

•   Online banks and traditional banks can offer a variety of account options. Student checking and savings accounts, for example, are designed for younger teens. Older teens who are headed off to university might be interested in opening a bank account for college students.

Banks can also offer certificate of deposit (CD) accounts and money market accounts.

If you’re wondering whether you can open a bank account no ID needed, the answer is no. You’ll need some form of personal identification, such as a government-issued ID, in order to open a bank account online or at a brick-and-mortar bank.

The Takeaway

An ABLE account can make it easier for someone with disabilities to meet their needs while maintaining control over their finances. With an ABLE account, the money that’s contributed grows tax free, and can be withdrawn tax free to pay for qualified expenses relating to the care of a disabled person. For 2022, the annual contribution limit is $16,000, and the money saved doesn’t impact eligibility for government programs like Medicaid.

Another benefit: Those qualified expenses aren’t limited to health care, say, the way 529 plans are limited to education. The range of expenses include housing, food, transportation, employment — as well as health and wellness and preventive care. The idea of an ABLE account is to help families afford all the things a disabled person might need.

In addition, you may want to consider other options, such as online bank accounts, for growing your savings.

For instance, it’s possible to open a bank account with SoFi right from your laptop or mobile device. You can enjoy the convenience of having an all-in-one Checking and Savings that earns a competitive interest rate when you set up direct deposit. In addition, there are no monthly fees. Plus, you can get paid up to two days early when you enroll in direct deposit.

Better banking is here with SoFi, NerdWallet’s 2024 winner for Best Checking Account Overall. Enjoy up to 4.60% APY on SoFi Checking and Savings.

FAQ

What is considered an ABLE account?

An ABLE account is a tax-advantaged account that’s administered through a state program for the purposes of helping persons with disabilities to save and invest money. An ABLE account’s tax status sets it apart from bank accounts, college savings accounts, or Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs). You can sign up with your state program.

Should you have both an ABLE account and a special needs trust?

It’s possible. An ABLE account can be managed by its designated beneficiary, allowing them control over their finances. Special needs trusts are managed by a trustee on behalf of the beneficiary, meaning they cannot direct how the money is spent. Having both an ABLE account and a special needs trust can help to ensure that someone with disabilities is taken care of financially while allowing them a measure of independence.

Is a Roth IRA an ABLE account?

No. A Roth IRA is a tax-advantaged account that’s used for retirement savings. Roth IRAs are funded with after-tax dollars and qualified distributions are tax-free. They’re not limited to persons with disabilities while an ABLE account is designed to be used specifically for qualified disability expenses.


Photo credit: iStock/FG Trade

SoFi® Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. ©2023 SoFi Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.
The SoFi Bank Debit Mastercard® is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.


SoFi members with direct deposit activity can earn 4.60% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a deposit to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Deposits that are not from an employer or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate.

SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 4.60% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Qualifying Deposits means one or more deposits that, in the aggregate, are equal to or greater than $5,000 to an account holder’s SoFi Checking and Savings account (“Qualifying Deposits”) during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Qualifying Deposits only include those deposits from the following eligible sources: (i) ACH transfers, (ii) inbound wire transfers, (iii) peer-to-peer transfers (i.e., external transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc. and internal peer-to-peer transfers from a SoFi account belonging to another account holder), (iv) check deposits, (v) instant funding to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, (vi) push payments to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, and (vii) cash deposits. Qualifying Deposits do not include: (i) transfers between an account holder’s Checking account, Savings account, and/or Vaults; (ii) interest payments; (iii) bonuses issued by SoFi Bank or its affiliates; or (iv) credits, reversals, and refunds from SoFi Bank, N.A. (“SoFi Bank”) or from a merchant.

SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder’s Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits throughout each 30-Day Evaluation Period to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the “30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Upon receiving a Direct Deposit or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits to your account, you will begin earning 4.60% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% on checking balances on or before the following calendar day. You will continue to earn these APYs for (i) the remainder of the current 30-Day Evaluation Period and through the end of the subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period and (ii) any following 30-day Evaluation Periods during which SoFi Bank determines you to have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits without interruption.

SoFi Bank reserves the right to grant a grace period to account holders following a change in Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits activity before adjusting rates. If SoFi Bank grants you a grace period, the dates for such grace period will be reflected on the APY Details page of your account. If SoFi Bank determines that you did not have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits during the current 30-day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, then you will begin earning the rates earned by account holders without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits until you have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits in a subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period. For the avoidance of doubt, an account holder with both Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits will earn the rates earned by account holders with Direct Deposit.

Members without either Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits, as determined by SoFi Bank, during a 30-Day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, will earn 1.20% 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 10/24/2023. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.


Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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Guide to Sinking Funds

Guide to Sinking Funds

It may sound like a negative thing, but a sinking fund is money that’s saved toward a specific goal. Governments and businesses can use sinking funds to hold reserve cash to fund future expenses, but this kind of account also has a place in personal finance as you build wealth and achieve goals.

What sinking funds are is a way to earmark and stash money so you can, say, buy a new car or take an amazing vacation. Understanding how a sinking fund works can help you decide if you need to include them in your budget.

Here, you’ll learn:

•   What a sinking fund is

•   How sinking funds work

•   The pros and cons of a sinking fund

•   How to start a sinking fund

•   How sinking funds differ from other kinds of savings

•   Alternatives to sinking funds.

What Is a Sinking Fund?

A sinking fund is money that’s earmarked to pay planned expenses that fall outside of your regular budget. In accounting, a sinking fund is used to save money to pay debt or replace an asset that is declining in value. The name, which can admittedly sound negative, may be derived from the idea of sinking, or paying off, a debt.

As mentioned, individuals, businesses, and even governments can use sinking funds to hold money in reserve for future expenses. For example, the U.S. Treasury Department maintains a sinking fund for unused appropriations.

But for an individual, the meaning shifts somewhat. So what is the purpose of a sinking fund? Simply, it’s to help you be financially prepared so that when the time comes to pay certain expenses that are on the horizon.

If you have a sinking fund, you have the cash on hand and aren’t scrambling to come up with the money. Sinking funds can help you avoid having to turn to high-interest credit cards or loans to cover expenses that don’t fit into your regular budget. Being able to avoid debt is one of the main reasons why saving is important.

How Do Sinking Funds Work?

Sinking funds work by allowing you to set aside money periodically toward specific expenses or goals. You decide which expense or expenses you need to save for and the amount you want to save.

Do you know you’ll be needing a new washer/dryer pretty soon? Or perhaps there is a destination wedding you were invited to and it’s going to cost a chunk of change. When you see these kinds of expenses on the horizon, a sinking fund can help. You save money towards that expense until you reach the full amount, according to a schedule you set for yourself.

For example, you might be saving money from your salary weekly, biweekly, or monthly. Once it’s time to pay the expense, you can take the money from your sinking fund to pay for it. If it’s a one-time expense, then you’d be done saving money in that sinking fund. But if it’s a recurring expense, then you might start the cycle of saving over. Let’s say you’ve enrolled in an adult-ed program which could lead to your earning a certificate. You could earmark funds, use them up to pay tuition, and then start saving for the next semester.

You can have one general sinking fund to use for pre-planned expenses or multiple sinking funds. Having multiple sinking funds allows you to finetune your savings targets. However, you’ll need to be organized to keep track of where your deposits are going and what’s coming out of your funds.

Common Examples of Sinking Funds

What are sinking funds good for? A sinking fund can be used to save money for a variety of expenses. Some of the most common sinking funds categories include:

•   Vehicle maintenance and repairs

•   Pet care

•   Home maintenance and repairs

•   Birthdays, holidays, and other special occasions

•   Wedding expenses

•   Baby expenses

Those are just a few of the things you might need a sinking fund for. The number of sinking funds you choose to establish can depend on your financial goals. You might create one for, say, a down payment on a home or a trip to Bali. It’s up to you.

Where Can You Keep a Sinking Fund?

When deciding where to keep a sinking fund, accessibility matters. You need to be able to add money to your sinking fund and withdraw it when needed. For that reason, you might open an online bank account to hold your sinking funds.

With an online savings account, you can earn interest on deposits and link your account to checking for easy transfers.

Some banks allow you to open a main savings account with multiple sub-accounts. You might choose this option if you’d like to be able to add money to individual sinking funds for specific expenses. Sub-accounts can allow you to see all of your sinking fund money in one place while keeping goals separate.

A money market account is another candidate for holding sinking funds. These accounts can earn interest like a savings account but they may offer check-writing abilities or debit card access, which you typically don’t get with a savings account. Just be sure to check if your bank limits the number of withdrawals you’re allowed to make from a money market account. For some people, this factor (if it exists) can be a deal breaker.

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Open a SoFi Checking and Savings Account with direct deposit and get up to a $300 cash bonus. Plus, get up to 4.60% APY on your cash!


Pros of Sinking Funds

Setting up sinking funds can offer some advantages if you have planned or recurring expenses. Here’s what’s good about sinking funds:

•   You can use them to create a structured plan for saving toward various expenses or financial goals.

•   Depending on where you keep your sinking funds, you may be able to earn a decent rate of interest on your deposits.

•   Sinking funds ensure that when a planned expense comes due, you have the money to pay it. You can avoid dipping into your emergency fund or using a credit card.

Cons of Sinking Funds

Sinking funds can help you to be consistent with saving, but there are some potential drawbacks. Here are the main cons to know about sinking funds:

•   You have to be organized and disciplined when setting up a fund or multiple funds, if you want to establish different savings accounts or sub-accounts.

•   If you’re also saving or investing in other accounts, you may have trouble keeping track of what is sinking fund money and what isn’t.

•   Saving in multiple sinking funds could leave you spread thin financially if you’re not careful about budgeting.

Tips for Starting a Sinking Fund

Getting started with sinking funds isn’t that difficult. Here are a few simple tips for using sinking funds to save toward planned expenses.

List Your Sinking Fund Categories

The first step in creating a sinking fund is deciding what categories to include. A good way to choose sinking funds categories is to review your spending for the last six months to a year. Look for expenses that may recur periodically, like biannual or annual insurance premiums or annual home maintenance.

From there, consider what savings goals you might be working toward that are one-time expenses. That may include a wedding, a down payment on a home, a vacation, new furniture, or something else you only expect to pay for once. You can then use your recurring expenses and planned expenses to create your sinking fund categories.

Determine Your Savings Target

Next, decide how much you need to save toward each expense or goal on your sinking fund list. Assign an overall dollar amount first, then determine how much you need to save monthly, based on when you plan to spend the money.

Let’s say you want to save $1,000 for a trip you’d like to take in a year. You’d divide the total by 12, and your savings goal would be $83.33 per month.

Decide Where to Keep Sinking Funds

Once you know what you need to save each month, you can choose where to keep your sinking funds. Again, this may be a single savings account or money market account, or a savings account with multiple sub-accounts.

Certificate of deposit accounts are usually not the best place to keep sinking funds. They require you to leave money in them untouched for a set maturity term to avoid a penalty. You may be able to find an add-on CD account that is a work-around to this. These accounts may allow you to increase the funds on deposit; check with a financial institution that offers this product for more details.

Set Up Automatic Transfers

If you’ve opened sinking fund accounts, you can take the final step and link them to your checking account. You can then schedule recurring automatic transfers from checking to your sinking fund account each month to grow your savings automatically.

You might want to set up your automatic deductions for payday. It can be helpful to have the money whisked out of your checking account and into savings before you see it and think about spending it.

What Amount Do I Need to Put Into a Sinking Fund?

When thinking about sinking funds, you’ll likely wonder, “How much money should I be saving each month?” The answer will depend on your goal. If you know you need to save $1,200 to pay your annual car insurance premiums, for example, then you’d need to set aside $100 per month toward that amount. Meanwhile, if you’d like to save $12,000 for your wedding which is two years away, you’d need to save $500 per month for that sinking fund.

You can go back to your list of sinking fund expenses and determine the monthly amount you need to save toward each one. You’d just need to add up all of those smaller amounts to figure out the total amount to save each month. Of course, you may need to do some juggling to be able to afford your goals. You might decide to downsize one goal or stretch the timeline on another one if you feel you’ve set the savings bar too high.

Sinking Fund vs Emergency Fund

You may be tempted to dip into your emergency fund for some expenses, like, say, buying a high-tech exercise bike. However, a sinking fund may be a better option. While a sinking fund and an emergency fund are both designed for saving, they serve very different purposes.

With a sinking fund, you’re setting aside money regularly that you plan to spend at some point. Some sinking fund expenses may be one-time; others may be recurring. An emergency fund, on the other hand, is designed to hold emergency cash in case you have an unexpected expense that you need to cover. Emergency funds are there for those “uh-oh” moments, when your hot water heater conks out or you get hit with a major dental bill.

Starting an emergency fund while also having sinking funds can be a good idea. When you have both, you have money set aside to pay foreseen and unforeseen expenses. And just like sinking funds, one of the benefits of having an emergency fund is that you’re less reliant on high-interest credit cards to pay for things.

Sinking Fund vs Savings Account

Sinking funds and savings accounts can refer to the same thing. For example, you might hold your sinking funds in a high-yield savings account at an online bank. But it’s also possible that you have other savings accounts that are not specifically used for sinking funds. Sinking funds usually have a specific goal, which can help you get money motivated.

Saving funds can be more general. If you have kids, you might set up savings accounts for them to teach them the value of money. Or you might have a savings account that you treat as a slush fund, where you keep money that you haven’t earmarked toward any specific goal.

If you have both sinking funds and savings accounts, it’s important to track what money goes where. That way, you can ensure that you’re saving enough in your sinking funds and not shortchanging any of your planned expenses.

Alternatives to Sinking Funds

If the idea of sinking funds seems too complicated or you don’t think that you need them, there are other ways to save for planned expenses. Here are some alternatives to sinking funds you might consider:

•   CD ladder. A CD ladder involves opening multiple CDs with varying, staggered terms. Because these are organized to have a CD coming due on a regular basis, they can offer a reassuring degree of financial liquidity, or access to your money. You can also earn interest on deposits.

•   Save extra paychecks. If you get paid biweekly, you probably know that some months have three pay periods instead of two. Rather than spending the extra paycheck, you could tuck that money aside, saving or paying for a planned expense.

•   Use windfalls. If you’re on the receiving end of tax refunds, pay raises, rebates, or cash gifts, maybe you don’t want to go on a shopping spree. Instead, you could treat that as “extra” money and use it to pay for planned expenses or save for other goals.

Some people let their emergency fund do double duty as a sinking fund. But again, whether it makes sense to have a separate cash cushion vs. emergency fund can depend on the type of expenses you’re saving for and how much you’re able to save. For many, having a clear separation between money for unexpected expenses and money saved for foreseeable goals can be a very positive arrangement.

Banking With SoFi

A sinking fund can help you stay on track when saving for planned expenses. You can use sinking funds to save for a wide range of expenses, without having to dip into other savings, your emergency fund, or breaking out your plastic. It can be a helpful way to organize your finances and meet your money and lifestyle goals.

If you’re ready to start saving, consider opening an online bank account with SoFi. We offer Checking and Savings online, in one convenient place. When you sign up with direct deposit, you’ll avoid all the usual banking fees while earning a competitive APY on deposits as you work toward your financial goals.

Better banking is here with SoFi, NerdWallet’s 2024 winner for Best Checking Account Overall. Enjoy up to 4.60% APY on SoFi Checking and Savings.

FAQ

What is the purpose of a sinking fund?

The purpose of a sinking fund is to help you save money toward planned expenses. You may use sinking funds to save for either one-time or recurring expenses.

How is a sinking fund different from an emergency fund?

A sinking fund is designed to pay for planned expenses. Emergency funds are used to hold money for unplanned or unexpected expenses.

What is considered a healthy sinking fund?

A healthy sinking fund has enough money to cover any planned expenses you might have on the horizon. The size of your sinking fund will depend on which expenses you’re planning for, how often you’re saving for those expenses, and how much you’re saving toward them each month.


Photo credit: iStock/whitebalance.oatt

SoFi® Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. ©2023 SoFi Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.
The SoFi Bank Debit Mastercard® is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.


SoFi members with direct deposit activity can earn 4.60% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a deposit to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Deposits that are not from an employer or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate.

SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 4.60% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Qualifying Deposits means one or more deposits that, in the aggregate, are equal to or greater than $5,000 to an account holder’s SoFi Checking and Savings account (“Qualifying Deposits”) during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Qualifying Deposits only include those deposits from the following eligible sources: (i) ACH transfers, (ii) inbound wire transfers, (iii) peer-to-peer transfers (i.e., external transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc. and internal peer-to-peer transfers from a SoFi account belonging to another account holder), (iv) check deposits, (v) instant funding to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, (vi) push payments to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, and (vii) cash deposits. Qualifying Deposits do not include: (i) transfers between an account holder’s Checking account, Savings account, and/or Vaults; (ii) interest payments; (iii) bonuses issued by SoFi Bank or its affiliates; or (iv) credits, reversals, and refunds from SoFi Bank, N.A. (“SoFi Bank”) or from a merchant.

SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder’s Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits throughout each 30-Day Evaluation Period to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the “30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Upon receiving a Direct Deposit or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits to your account, you will begin earning 4.60% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% on checking balances on or before the following calendar day. You will continue to earn these APYs for (i) the remainder of the current 30-Day Evaluation Period and through the end of the subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period and (ii) any following 30-day Evaluation Periods during which SoFi Bank determines you to have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits without interruption.

SoFi Bank reserves the right to grant a grace period to account holders following a change in Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits activity before adjusting rates. If SoFi Bank grants you a grace period, the dates for such grace period will be reflected on the APY Details page of your account. If SoFi Bank determines that you did not have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits during the current 30-day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, then you will begin earning the rates earned by account holders without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits until you have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits in a subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period. For the avoidance of doubt, an account holder with both Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits will earn the rates earned by account holders with Direct Deposit.

Members without either Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits, as determined by SoFi Bank, during a 30-Day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, will earn 1.20% 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 10/24/2023. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.


Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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Common Signs That You Need to Make More Money

Common Signs That You Need to Make More Money

You’re working hard at your job day after day and you’re far from extravagant, yet it’s a strain to pay bills and you’re falling short on savings goals.

At this point you may well wonder, am I making enough money? Keep reading for some helpful ways to tell if you should be making more money.

10 Red Flags That Signal That Your Income Is Too Low

Do you frequently ask yourself whether you should be making more money — or you feel as if you’re not making money work for you? If so, it’s possible you aren’t making enough. Let’s take a look at some factors that indicate someone needs to be earning more in order to thrive financially.

1. Not Being Able to Pay Your Bills

As long as you aren’t renting a luxurious high rise or leasing a fancy car you truly can’t afford, you should be making enough to pay your basic bills. It can be difficult to save money with a low income. But if you’re working full-time to cover things like rent, car payment, health care, and utilities, that’s a sign you need to earn more money.

2. Using Your Credit Card for All Expenses

There’s nothing wrong with using a credit card to pay for expenses if you can afford to pay your credit card bill off in full when your monthly statement arrives. That’s a great way to earn cash back and credit card rewards.

A problem arises if you need to use a credit card in order to cover expenses because you don’t earn enough to buy essentials like food and personal hygiene items (this theory does not apply to unnecessary purchases like designer clothes).

3. Not Being Able to Have an Emergency Fund

Having an emergency fund can help consumers prepare for financial emergencies that no one expects. From job loss to medical bills to car repairs, there are certain financial hurdles we can assume we’ll need to clear one day, but it’s hard to predict when they’ll come and how much they’ll cost. If someone can’t build up an emergency fund to provide a buffer in a financial crisis, then that likely means they’re living paycheck to paycheck.

4. Paying Only the Minimum on Debts

As mentioned, turning to a credit card to cover essential purchases can be a sign of not making enough money. This can lead to high-interest credit-card debt, which can be hard to pay down without making extra payments. If you can’t afford to make extra payments on a credit card or other form of debt, increasing your income can make it possible to make those extra debt payments and save money on interest payments.

5. Not Being Able to Cut Anything Else

If you take a cold, hard look at your budgets and realize you can’t cut any more expenses because you are only paying for essentials (and ideally there should be room in a budget for a couple of fun purchases too), then that’s a sign you need an income increase, because living on such a tight budget isn’t sustainable long-term.

6. Not Being Able to Build Savings

The good news is you are motivated to save money, but when you are living paycheck to paycheck, you can’t put money aside, even though you know that saving is important.

Get up to $300 when you bank with SoFi.

Open a SoFi Checking and Savings Account with direct deposit and get up to a $300 cash bonus. Plus, get up to 4.60% APY on your cash!


7. Making the Same Wage Despite Company Growing

If your company is growing and flourishing, in part because of contributions made by you and other workers, you may deserve to earn more than you’re currently making.

8. Not Being Able to Reach Financial Goals

If you are earning enough money and sticking to a budget, then in theory you should be able to make slow but steady progress toward your financial goals. Failing to do so means you’re coming up short on salary.

9. Consistently Struggling to Make Ends Meet at the Beginning of the Month

Many people start to run out of spending money at the end of the month after they’ve paid all their bills (especially if they were hit with unexpected expenses), but if you are consistently struggling to make ends meet at the beginning of the month, this is a sign you aren’t making enough to pay your essential bills.

10. Worrying About Money Consistently

We all deserve a good night’s rest, not lying awake worrying about how to pay the bills. If you are consistently worrying about money and trying to figure out how to tackle financial anxiety and stress, that’s a major sign you aren’t earning enough money.

Tips for Negotiating a Higher Wage With Your Employer

So you are constantly wondering, am I making enough money? That’s a pretty good sign it’s time to have a conversation about a raise.

These tips will help you get ready to tell your boss what you need.

•   Research salary data. Before an employee comes to their boss with a request for a raise, they need to get an idea of how much workers in similar roles at other companies earn. Luckily, there are tons of online resources where workers share their job titles and salaries. It can also help to look at the salaries listed on current job postings similar to your position.

•   Make a list of accomplishments. Workers should approach the boss with the facts about how good they are at their jobs and why they deserve to earn more. Make a list that specifies some of your major contributions and use that to back up your ask.

•   Have an alternate ask. Sometimes a company truly can’t afford to give a good employee a raise. Perhaps they will have a lecture ready on the pain of inflation. In that case, is there something they can do to make your life easier? Can they make it possible to work remotely and save on commuting? Can they give you more PTO or a flexible schedule to help cut down on day care costs?

The Takeaway

If someone frequently wonders, am I making enough money, that’s a pretty good sign they need to ask for a raise. If they evaluate their spending habits and find they really are only buying essentials and still feel stressed about money, then it’s especially timely to ask for a raise.

If you’re worried about making enough money, it can also help to ensure the funds already in your bank account are working for you. When you open an online bank account with SoFi, you can enjoy an all-in-one Checking and Savings with no fees, automatic saving features, and a competitive interest rate when you sign up for direct deposit.

Better banking is here with SoFi, NerdWallet’s 2024 winner for Best Checking Account Overall. Enjoy up to 4.60% APY on SoFi Checking and Savings.

FAQ

How do I know if I’m being underpaid?

Often, people have a gut instinct on whether they’re being underpaid. To back up that instinct, do salary research online to see what workers in similar roles and industries are earning.

How much money must I earn to feel it is enough?

Having “enough” money depends on your unique perspective. That being said, you need to be able to comfortably pay your bills and cover essential expenses without having to worry that you’re running out of money each month.

How can I save if I don’t make enough money?

It can be hard to save money if you don’t earn much more income than you require to get by. Consumers can always scrutinize their budget to see where they can cut back spending in order to save more. Too many streaming services? Or pricey lunches? Start there.


Photo credit: iStock/nensuria

SoFi members with direct deposit activity can earn 4.60% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a deposit to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Deposits that are not from an employer or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate.

SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 4.60% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Qualifying Deposits means one or more deposits that, in the aggregate, are equal to or greater than $5,000 to an account holder’s SoFi Checking and Savings account (“Qualifying Deposits”) during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Qualifying Deposits only include those deposits from the following eligible sources: (i) ACH transfers, (ii) inbound wire transfers, (iii) peer-to-peer transfers (i.e., external transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc. and internal peer-to-peer transfers from a SoFi account belonging to another account holder), (iv) check deposits, (v) instant funding to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, (vi) push payments to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, and (vii) cash deposits. Qualifying Deposits do not include: (i) transfers between an account holder’s Checking account, Savings account, and/or Vaults; (ii) interest payments; (iii) bonuses issued by SoFi Bank or its affiliates; or (iv) credits, reversals, and refunds from SoFi Bank, N.A. (“SoFi Bank”) or from a merchant.

SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder’s Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits throughout each 30-Day Evaluation Period to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the “30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Upon receiving a Direct Deposit or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits to your account, you will begin earning 4.60% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% on checking balances on or before the following calendar day. You will continue to earn these APYs for (i) the remainder of the current 30-Day Evaluation Period and through the end of the subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period and (ii) any following 30-day Evaluation Periods during which SoFi Bank determines you to have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits without interruption.

SoFi Bank reserves the right to grant a grace period to account holders following a change in Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits activity before adjusting rates. If SoFi Bank grants you a grace period, the dates for such grace period will be reflected on the APY Details page of your account. If SoFi Bank determines that you did not have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits during the current 30-day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, then you will begin earning the rates earned by account holders without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits until you have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits in a subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period. For the avoidance of doubt, an account holder with both Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits will earn the rates earned by account holders with Direct Deposit.

Members without either Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits, as determined by SoFi Bank, during a 30-Day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, will earn 1.20% 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 10/24/2023. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.


SoFi® Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. ©2023 SoFi Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.
The SoFi Bank Debit Mastercard® is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.


Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

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