Do Banks Run Credit Checks for a Checking Account?

Do Banks Run Credit Checks for a Checking Account?

If you’re wondering whether a bank checks your credit when you open a checking account, the answer is typically no…but there’s more to the story than that one little word.

When it comes to starting a new checking account, banks don’t usually check your three-digit FICO® score — the most common score used by lenders — in order to determine your eligibility to open a checking account. They do, however, often look into your banking history via an agency known as ChexSystems.

Here’s a closer look at credit checks when opening an account and what could prevent you from getting that approval you’re after.

Whether or Not Banks Run Credit Checks for Checking Accounts

First, know that when most entities check your credit, they’re looking at that three-digit FICO score mentioned above — the one that ranges from 300 (poor) to 850 (exceptional). They will likely also receive your entire credit report, which is a detailed document listing all your open accounts, their statuses, and several years of your credit behavior, among other items.

When your credit is checked, it can be either a soft or hard credit inquiry. The former are inquiries that don’t impact your precious credit score. But the latter can wind up lowering your score because these “hard pulls,” as they are sometimes known, can indicate that you are shopping around for more credit, which can make you look like a risky prospect.

But back to our question about whether a bank will initiate a credit check…the answer is: not exactly. They typically use their own kind of financial background check system called ChexSystems. It’s a reporting agency that focuses on consumers’ banking behavior.

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What Is ChexSystems?

ChexSystems is a reporting agency that focuses on your behavior around banking. Some details to note:

•   Your ChexSystems report will include your history of overdrafts, negative balances, and bounced checks, as well as any instances of fraud, security freezes, and other items specifically to do with your banking history. So while it’s not a credit check, per se, it is like a credit check, and your report could lead to your being rejected for a bank account.

•   Like any other reporting agency, ChexSystems is required by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) to issue consumers a free report once a year, so you can regularly check your history.

•   If any of the negative items on your report are fraudulent, you can dispute that information with the agency to get it removed — and if they’re legitimate, you can work toward improving the behavior that caused them. (Most information on your ChexSystems report falls off after five years.)

•   There are also deposit accounts that don’t pull ChexSystems reports. So even if you’ve got some negative history, it’s possible to turn over a new leaf and work toward a more positive relationship with banking.

Recommended: How to Avoid ATM Fees

Why Do Banks Run Credit Checks When You Open a Bank Account?

Now that you know how credit checks work, you may wonder, Why do banks run credit checks when you want to open an account? Isn’t that their whole reason for being, to give people checking and savings accounts?

While there’s truth to that, banks do rely on their customers to keep their accounts in good order — and to pay fees, ensure checks don’t bounce, and generally be responsible bankers.

Using ChexSystems gives banks an idea of how you might behave as a banking customer in the future based on your recorded behavior. The intel in ChexSystems can also help a bank disqualify you from obtaining an account if they don’t think you pass muster.

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Does It Hurt Your Credit Score When Trying to Open a Bank Account?

One exciting corollary to the fact that banks don’t pull your credit score when opening an account: Opening a bank account won’t hurt your credit score, since there’s no hard credit inquiry involved. That’s comforting news to anyone opening a new bank account. It also means you can even open a few different checking and savings accounts (perhaps you want a regular checking account, plus one for your side hustle income, as well as a savings account for your emergency fund), and you won’t negatively impact your rating.

Stressed about your credit score and not loving where it’s lingering? Building your credit score is definitely an important step toward plenty of financial goals, and the behaviors you cultivate to do so may also improve your ChexSystems report. Moves like lowering the amount of debt you carry, paying bills on time all the time, and not opening too many lines of credit can really pay off.

Reasons Why You Might Be Denied a Checking Account

Unfortunately, every now and then, people do get rejected when they apply for a bank account. For banks that use ChexSystems, these are some of the reasons for a denial.

Unpaid Negative Balance on a Previous Bank Account

As mentioned, banks aren’t officially loaning money to checking account holders — but if you maintain a negative balance on an account and never pay that money back, the financial institution is on the hook for that loss. For this reason, negative balances on existing or previous accounts can spell rejection for a new one.

Abusing Overdraft Privileges

On a similar note, overdrafting again and again hinders a bank’s ability to stay in the black on your account. That goes double if you’ve avoided paying overdraft fees or other charges associated with your behavior.

Fraudulent Activity on Previous Accounts

ChexSystems records suspected fraudulent activity — which, obviously, is not something a bank wants to have to deal with in the future.

Having a Joint Account With Someone Who Has Negative Unpaid Balances on Their Accounts

When you have a joint bank account, your partner’s behaviors can affect your standing as much as your own. So even if it’s not you who’s wreaking havoc on your bank account, the other person’s negative balances, overdraft abuses, and fraudulent activity could negatively impact your ChexSystems report.

The Takeaway

If you’re sweating whether opening a bank account can involve a credit check that deflates your credit score, don’t worry. Most banks don’t pull a hard credit check to qualify you for a checking account. However, they might look into your ChexSystems report, a banking industry way of peering into an applicant’s history. Certain negative items can disqualify you from opening a bank account.

That said, there are banks out there that don’t use ChexSystems to qualify their customers, and SoFi is one of them.

Interested in opening an online bank account? When you sign up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account with direct deposit, you’ll get a competitive annual percentage yield (APY), pay zero account fees, and enjoy an array of rewards, such as access to the Allpoint Network of 55,000+ fee-free ATMs globally. Qualifying accounts can even access their paycheck up to two days early.


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FAQ

Do banks check your credit score when opening a checking account?

While banks don’t check your FICO score to qualify you for a checking account, they may check your ChexSystems report. This is similar to your credit report but focused specifically on your banking history.

Can you be denied a checking account because of bad credit?

You likely won’t be denied a checking account because of bad credit directly. However, if you have bad credit, you may also have negative items on your ChexSystems report that could disqualify you from some (but not all) bank accounts.

Why would a bank deny a checking account?

A bank might deny your request for an account if you have negative items on your ChexSystems report, such as fraudulent activity, negative balances, or unpaid overdraft charges.


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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.

Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website .

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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How Much Does a Therapist Make a Year

The average annual pay for a mental health therapist in the U.S. is $75,895, according to employment website ZipRecruiter.

But there are many factors that can influence this number, including experience, specialty and location. If you’re interested in starting a career as a therapist, employment demand is expected to be strong so it’s likely there’s good job security.

Here’s a closer look at what a therapist does and how much money they can make in a year.

What Is a Therapist?

If you like talking with people and helping them work through issues to improve their lives, a career as a therapist might be a good fit.

Therapists generally specialize in working with specific groups of people or in certain areas. For instance, some might concentrate on working with children, older adults, or married couples, or with people who need help with issues like eating disorders or drug abuse. Therapists can work in different settings, including health practitioner offices, hospitals, schools, private practices, and home health care services.

It can be a long path to becoming a therapist. Therapists need an undergraduate degree and typically have a master’s degree in psychology or in a related field or specialty. There are also hands-on experience requirements through supervised clinical work. States have different requirements when it comes to obtaining a license, but the process usually involves filling out an application and passing an exam.

There are other skills that go beyond education that help make a good therapist. Soft skills like strong communication and organization skills, being a good listener, and having empathy and patience are also important to being successful in the profession.

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💡 Quick Tip: When you have questions about what you can and can’t afford, a spending tracker app can show you the answer. With no guilt trip or hourly fee.

Therapist vs. Psychologist

The title “therapist” is often used broadly to include various professions. It’s sometimes used interchangeably with “psychologist,” but there are differences between the two.

The educational requirements are heftier for those interested in pursuing a career as a psychologist. Psychologists typically need a doctoral degree in psychology and to pass certain exams to be able to secure a license.

There is strong demand for psychologists. The Labor Department forecasts employment of psychologists to grow 6% from 2022-2032. Over that decade, there’s projected to be about 12,800 openings a year.

How Much Do Therapists Make Starting Out?

When you’re just starting out as an entry-level mental health therapist after all those years of education and clinical work, you can expect to earn an average of total pay of around $46,600 a year, according to data from Payscale. As you grow in your career and gain one to four years of experience, the average compensation increases to $50,677.

But keep in mind that there are a lot of considerations when it comes to determining a good entry-level salary, including location, experience, skill level, specialty, and demand.

What Is the Average Salary for a Therapist

Wondering how much a therapist makes after they’ve been working for a few years? The average annual salary for a mental health therapist in the U.S. was $75,895, according to ZipRecruiter. Here’s how that breaks down: $36.49 an hour or $6,324 a month.

For marriage and family therapists, the median annual pay was $56,570, according to data from the Labor Department. The growth rate for therapists in this field is expected to grow 15% from 2022-2032 — a lot faster than the average.

There’s a large range in how much a therapist can make, with ZipRecruiter seeing the top earners (those in the 90th percentile) making $118,000 annually.

Note that while some therapists will choose to bill by the hour, when it comes to compensation, there’s a difference between being paid salaried vs paid hourly.

Recommended: What Is Competitive Pay?

What Is the Average Therapist Salary by State?

Wondering how a therapist’s salary compares to the highest-paying jobs in your state? Here’s a breakdown of what the average annual salary of mental health therapists by state.

State

Average Salary

Alabama $55,535
Alaska $75,842
Arizona $65,716
Arkansas $59,437
California $72,117
Colorado $68,023
Connecticut $74,203
Delaware $68,126
Florida $55,479
Georgia $64,601
Hawaii $77,511
Idaho $62,082
Illinois $70,696
Indiana $65,737
Iowa $75,470
Kansas $65,997
Kentucky $60,521
Louisiana $65,619
Maine $66,004
Maryland $69,120
Massachusetts $79,870
Michigan $65,064
Minnesota $78,700
Mississippi $68,666
Missouri $64,585
Montana $63,047
Nebraska $62,663
Nevada $80,187
New Hampshire $64,267
New Jersey $82,592
New Mexico $74,183
New York $77,089
North Carolina $59,880
North Dakota $73,997
Ohio $73,378
Oklahoma $65,700
Oregon $78,617
Pennsylvania $64,507
Rhode Island $74,257
South Carolina $65,582
South Dakota $74,053
Tennessee $71,824
Texas $63,977
Utah $71,494
Vermont $68,905
Virginia $69,153
Washington $77,294
West Virginia $55,583
Wisconsin $81,874
Wyoming $66,016

Source: Zippia

Therapist Job Considerations for Pay and Benefits

Helping people better themselves and overcome problems can be a very fulfilling line of work. And there’s a need for more people to work in the mental health field.

For example, employment growth for substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors is expected to increase 18% from 2022-2032, according to the Department of Labor. Because of these strong employment growth projections, being a therapist likely comes with job security.

Becoming a therapist can also bring scheduling flexibility, especially if you run your own practice. Being able to set your own hours can result in a better work-life balance. However, some therapists might have to offer after-hour sessions to work around clients’ schedules.

Working one-on-one with people and forging relationships can also be a satisfying perk, but it can also be emotionally stressful. That’s why this profession might not be the best fit if you tend to be more introverted.

Recommended: 15 Entry-Level Jobs for Antisocial People

Pros and Cons of Therapist Salary

The educational requirements for a therapist are higher than other professions, which could mean you graduate with a hefty debt load that can put pressure on future earnings.

However, your earnings potential increases as you gain more experience and the pay is higher than other occupations. The Labor Department reported that the median weekly earnings of full-time workers were $1,118 in the third quarter of 2023 The average weekly pay for a mental health therapist in the U.S. was $1,459 in November 2023, according to ZipRecruiter.

The pay and benefits can differ depending on where a therapist works. For instance, joining a bigger practice or hospital could bring about additional benefits like retirement savings plans and health care benefits compared to smaller or a solo practice.

The licensure requirements to become a therapist can be time consuming. Each state has its own licensing requirements that you’ll have to navigate. There can also be continuing education requirements in order to maintain your license.



💡 Quick Tip: Income, expenses, and life circumstances can change. Consider reviewing your budget a few times a year and making any adjustments if needed.

The Takeaway

Becoming a therapist can be very rewarding on a personal, professional, and financial level. Be prepared for the path it takes to get to this career: an undergraduate degree, a master degree in a specialized area, clinical experience, the state license and exam process, and continuing education.

To help decide if this is the right career path, evaluate what’s important to you in your career and if it’s financially feasible. For some workers, a $100,000 salary is good, while others might need more or less depending on their cost-of-living.

Take the time to evaluate your budget. The education requirements could mean taking out student loans, which can put strain on your budget. Online tools like a money tracker app can help you create a spending plan that’s right for you.

FAQ

What is the highest-paying therapist job?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a therapist can earn upwards of $111,800 a year.

Do therapists make $100k a year?

While a typical mental health therapist makes around $75,895 a year, it is possible to earn $100,000 or more a year. Salaries often vary depending on experience, specialization, and location.

How much do therapists make starting out?

Early in their career, a therapist earns an average of $46,600 a year, according to Payscale. But with more experience, compensation can increase to $50,677.


Photo credit: iStock/LightFieldStudios

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*Terms and conditions apply. This offer is only available to new SoFi users without existing SoFi accounts. It is non-transferable. One offer per person. To receive the rewards points offer, you must successfully complete setting up Credit Score Monitoring. Rewards points may only be redeemed towards active SoFi accounts, such as your SoFi Checking or Savings account, subject to program terms that may be found here: SoFi Member Rewards Terms and Conditions. SoFi reserves the right to modify or discontinue this offer at any time without notice.

Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.

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.

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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How to Save for Retirement at 30

How to Save for Retirement at 30

One of the most important things you can do in your 30s is to start prioritizing retirement savings if you haven’t done so already.

Building retirement savings at 30 is not always an easy task, even if you’re earning a higher salary. Financial responsibilities often increase at this time, but it’s important to keep retirement in mind even as you hit other milestones such as buying a house or starting a family.

To save for retirement in your 30s, you’ll need to balance your daily spending with your long-term goals. The sooner you can begin saving for retirement the better.

How to Start Saving for Retirement at 30

You can set yourself on a path to healthy retirement savings by using the following strategies. First up, putting money into a designated retirement plan.

1. Contribute to a 401(k)

Saving in tax-advantaged retirement accounts available through work, such as a 401(k), is one of the best things you can do to start saving for retirement. Your 401(k) allows you to contribute up to $23,000 a year in 2024, up from $22,500 a year in 2023. Contributions come directly from your paycheck with pre-tax dollars, which lowers your taxable income in the year you make them.

Regular, automatic contributions, coupled with the benefits of compounding returns, can help your savings grow even faster. Starting a 401(k) at 30 gives you several decades for your funds to grow over time.

Also, 401(k)s allow employers to contribute to your retirement, and many will offer matching funds as part of your compensation package. Aim to save at least as much as is required to receive your employer’s match. Work toward maxing out your 401(k) contributions, especially as your salary grows over time.

You can access the funds penalty-free once you reach age 59 ½, but you will owe taxes on the money at that time.


💡 Quick Tip: Before opening an investment account, know your investment objectives, time horizon, and risk tolerance. These fundamentals will help keep your strategy on track and with the aim of meeting your goals.

2. Open an IRA

An IRA is a retirement account, which anyone with earned income can open. If you don’t have a 401(k) at work, opening an IRA can give you access to a tax-advantaged account to save for retirement. Even if you already have a 401(k), opening an IRA can be a good way to save even more, though you won’t get to write off your contributions.

For 2024, contribution limits to IRAs are $7,000 per year, up for $6,500 in 2023.

IRAs come in two different types: traditional and Roth IRAs. If you don’t have a 401(k), you can make contributions to traditional IRAs with pre-tax dollars. Like a 401(k), money in these accounts grows tax-deferred, and you’ll pay the taxes on it when you make withdrawals in retirement.

If you meet certain income restrictions, you may be able to contribute to a Roth IRA instead. In that case, you’ll make the contributions with after-tax dollars, but your money will grow tax-free inside the account and you do not have to pay taxes when you make withdrawals.

Recommended: Traditional vs. Roth IRA: How to Choose the Right Plan

3. Plan Your Asset Allocation

Diversification is the act of spreading your money across different asset classes. To minimize risk from a decline from one type of asset, it typically makes sense to create a diversified portfolio, including a mix of asset classes, such as stocks, bonds and other assets.

Your asset allocation refers to the proportion of each asset class that you hold. Your asset allocations will reflect your goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon. Given the relatively long period until your retirement, you might consider a relatively aggressive portfolio consisting mostly of stocks in your retirement account.

Stocks typically provide the most potential for growth, but they also fluctuate more than some other asset classes. Since you have three decades or more before you retire, you have time to ride out the natural ups and downs of the market.

Bonds, which tend to be less volatile than stocks but also offer lower returns, may balance out the riskier equity allocation. As you approach retirement, you may consider rebalancing your asset allocation to include more conservative investments to help protect the income you will need to draw upon soon.

Target-date funds are a type of mutual fund that automatically readjusts your portfolio as you near your target date, often the year in which you wish to retire.

4. Diversify within Asset Classes

Just as a portfolio with different types of assets offers some downside protection, so too, does diversification within those asset classes. If you invest the entire stock portion of your portfolio shares in just one company and share prices in that company drop, the value of your entire portfolio drops as well.

Now imagine that you own shares in 500 different companies. When one stock fares poorly, it will have a relatively small effect on the rest of your portfolio. Diversification helps limit the negative effects that any asset class, sector, or company could have on your portfolio.

You can further diversify your portfolio by including companies from different sectors and of all sizes from different parts of the globe. This same idea is true for other asset classes. For example, you could hold a mix of government and corporate bonds, and the corporate bonds could represent companies from various sectors and locations.

One way to add diversification to your portfolio is by investing in mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and index funds that invest in a diversified basket of stocks. For example, if you buy shares in an ETF that tracks the S&P 500 index, you’ll be investing in the 500 stocks included in that index.

5. Don’t Cash Out your 401(k) if You Get a New Job

If you’re only in your 30s, it’s likely that you’ll change jobs a couple of times or more, over the course of your career. When you change jobs, you’ll have a number of options for what to do with the 401(k) you hold with your previous employer.

One of these options is to cash out your 401(k). But this is typically not a great idea from a personal finance perspective. If you take a lump sum payment and you’re younger than 59 ½, you may not only owe income taxes on the withdrawal, but also a 10% early withdrawal penalty. What’s more, your money will no longer be working for you in a tax-advantaged account, potentially setting you back in your retirement savings goals.

A better option is to roll over your 401(k) into another tax-advantaged retirement account, such as your new employer’s plan, if they offer one, without paying income taxes. Or you can roll your 401(k) into an IRA without paying taxes. IRA accounts offer the added benefit of additional investment options, and they may have lower fees than your 401(k).

Recommended: How to Transfer Your 401(k) When Changing to a New Job

6. Protect Your Earnings with Disability Insurance

An injury or an illness that keeps you from going to work can hamper your retirement savings plan. However, disability insurance can help cover a portion of your lost income — usually between 50% and 70% — for a period of time.

Most employers offer some sort of short-term disability insurance, with a benefit period of three to six months. Some employers may offer long-term policies that cover periods of five, 10, or 20 years, or even through retirement age.

Check with your employer to see if you are covered by a disability policy and whether it provides enough coverage for your needs. If your employer’s plan falls short, or you don’t have access to one, you might consider purchasing a policy on your own.

The Takeaway

The earlier you can start saving for retirement the better. A long time horizon gives you the opportunity to take advantage of compounding growth for a longer period of time, which can help you increase the amount you’re able to save. Pay attention to the fees you’re paying on investments, which can eat away at returns over time.

Ready to invest for your retirement? It’s easy to get started when you open a traditional or Roth IRA with SoFi. SoFi doesn’t charge commissions, but other fees apply (full fee disclosure here).

Easily manage your retirement savings with a SoFi IRA.


Photo credit: iStock/AJ_Watt

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.

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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4 Places To Put Your Retirement Money

There is no shortage of options when deciding where to put your retirement money. Strategies and tools are available to all investors, no matter where you may be in your retirement planning journey.

These options range from DIY to completely hands-off. Investors can break down their choices into three main decisions: the account, the investments, and finally the bank or platform.

Here are your options for your retirement investing strategy—and how to choose between them.

Where To Invest Retirement Money: First, Choose an Account

A typical first choice for an account to save and invest for the long-term is a designated retirement account. There are many different types of retirement plans, including Roth IRAs and employee-sponsored 401(k)s, most of which provide tax incentives to invest for the long haul.

It is important to remember, though, that retirement accounts are just that—accounts. For example, a 401(k) and a Roth IRA are not investments but instead, accounts that hold investments. Said another way, they provide a place where you can invest, but are not themselves an investment. This can be confusing, as many workplace retirement plans also automatically invest contributions made to the account.

Therefore, the decision on which retirement account to use will largely depend on what makes the most sense for your personal tax situation, and which you have access to. Here are some common options.

1. Workplace Retirement Plan

For individuals with access to one, a workplace retirement plan can be a convenient option that offers the benefit of automatic paycheck deduction. Many workplace plans, such as 401(k), 403(b), and SIMPLE (Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees) IRA accounts, provide an easy place where retirement saving and investing can happen automatically.

As a bonus, many workplace plans offer a company match: when you contribute to your account, they do too. Many investors think of a company match as additional salary or “free money” that will help them reach their goals.

2. Tax-deferred Retirement Account

Tax-deferred retirement accounts, which include traditional IRAs, 401(k)s, and solo 401(k)s and SEP IRAs, offer tax deferral—meaning that you contribute with pre-tax dollars. When you open an IRA (or other similar account), income taxes on all contributions are deferred until you withdraw money, usually in retirement.

One benefit of tax deferral is that an individual might be more likely to have a lower (effective) income tax rate as a retired person, so there may be an advantage to delay taxes.

3. Roth IRA

Neither a Roth IRA or a Roth 401(k) offer tax deferral, so money entering into the account will be subject to income taxes. But that means that the money can be withdrawn tax-free, upon retirement or at other qualified times.

A Roth IRA could be a compelling option for someone looking to supplement their existing workplace plan, or someone who may not have access to an account through work. That said, Roth IRA accounts have income limitations, meaning that a high salary may disqualify you from using one.

There is one universal benefit to using a retirement account—as opposed to a non-retirement investment account—whether it’s tax-deferred or not: Tax-free investment growth. In a non-retirement account, money earned through investing will be subject to an additional tax on investment earnings. Within a retirement account, there is no such tax on any money earned through investing.

4. Non-retirement investment account

Non-retirement investment accounts, such as brokerage accounts or general investing accounts, offer more flexibility in accessing your money than retirement accounts typically do. Typically, an individual can incur penalties if money is removed from their retirement account before age 59 ½. If an investor is planning to retire before this age or would like the flexibility to do so, a non-retirement investment account might be appealing.

Additionally, a non-retirement investment account isn’t subject to the contribution limits of a retirement plan like a 401(k) or a Roth IRA (the latter of which is $7,000 for 2024 and $6,500 for 2023). Some investors may choose to max out retirement accounts and open up a taxable investment account in order to fully fund their retirement goals.

Choose an Investment Strategy

Once an investor has decided where to put retirement money, it is time for the next step, which is how to invest that money. While many workplace retirement plans automatically invest money, it should be viewed as a separate step in the process.

Typically, investors choose (at minimum) a mix of stocks and bonds within their long-term investment portfolios. When contemplating bonds vs. stocks, it’s helpful to think of the differences in this way: Stocks tend to be higher growth, but that growth comes with more risk. On the other hand, bonds have historically lower rates of growth, but are considered to be less risky. An individual may want to determine their personal mix of stocks and bonds by assessing their goals, investing timeline, and risk tolerance.

Once an investor has determined their preferred mix of stocks, bonds, and any other major asset classes (called asset allocation), it is time to determine how to fulfill these allocations. There are several options, ranging from the completely DIY (buying individual stocks, for example) to the completely uninvolved (such as having a professional manage your portfolio).

Individual Stocks

Those who have an inherent interest in picking individual stocks could certainly do so, though it is not a requisite to building an investment portfolio. As you consider if and how to choose your first stock, it also makes sense to look into whether you’re more interested in a concentrated vs. diversified investment portfolio.

Index Funds and ETFs

A common way to invest for retirement is by using mutual funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs). These funds are, essentially, baskets that hold lots of investments. That basket could hold stocks, bonds, something else entirely, or some combination of different investment types.

Some investors may find buying big baskets of investments easier than attempting to choose individual investments, like stocks. Individuals whose retirement plan automatically invests may already have a combination of funds.

Both mutual funds and ETFs can be either actively managed or “index.” Index funds—whether mutual funds or ETFs—are a popular choice because they are low-cost and often represent a broad swath of the market. For example, it’s possible to buy a low-cost index fund that invests in the entire US stock market. With just a handful of index funds, it may be possible to build a fully diversified portfolio.

Recommended: Are Mutual Funds Good for Retirement?

Target-date Funds

Similarly, there are options that utilize a passive, index fund strategy but that build a portfolio on your behalf. First, retirement target-date funds (also called lifecycle funds) are funds that typically hold other funds (as opposed to individual stocks and bonds) in amounts that are appropriate for your investing timeline—that’s why you pick one that corresponds to your approximate retirement date.

Target-date funds are popular within workplace retirement plans, but it also may be possible to buy into one at the brokerage bank of your choosing. Be sure to check and see whether the fund consists of index funds, which are typically lower cost, or holds managed funds, which generally have higher fees.

Robo-advisor Service

Another hands-off option is to use a digital “robo-advisor” service that manages a portfolio of index funds on your behalf. This option might appeal to those who want a bit more assistance in maintaining a retirement investing strategy. Most of these services encourage a passive, long-term investment strategy.

Generally, you’ll answer questions about your goals, investing timeline, and risk tolerance, which indicates to the service your most suitable investment mix. Then, this strategy is built and maintained for you. Typically, this service comes with an additional cost on top of the cost of the funds used.

The Takeaway

For investors deciding where to put retirement money, choosing a preferred account type and an investment strategy are two ways to get started. With tax-deferred options like 401(k)s and other choices like traditional and Roth IRAs, an investor is likely to find at least one retirement plan account that suits their lifestyle and goals.

In considering possible investment strategies, it’s useful to think about how hands-on one wants to be. Putting together a stock portfolio requires more direct involvement, whereas utilizing robo-advisor services might require less.

Deciding where to invest and with what strategy will help guide an investor’s third and final decision regarding the bank or investing platform.

No matter where and how an individual decides to invest their retirement money, they’re not likely to welcome unnecessary fees. Service fees and other costs embedded in accounts can seriously erode any potential profit earned on an investment.

For investors interested in a DIY approach for retirement investments, a low-cost brokerage bank or trading platform, like SoFi Invest®, may be appealing. With SoFi Invest, members can build out a diversified investment strategy—including stocks and ETFs—without high costs.

For individuals who favor a hands-off approach, a robo-advisor could be the right fit. SoFi Automated Investing builds and maintains a diversified portfolio for investors guided by their personal money goals and smart digital algorithms. Portfolios are built using low-cost ETFs.

Find out how SoFi Invest can help you meet your retirement goals.


SoFi Invest®
The information provided is not meant to provide investment or financial advice. Investment decisions should be based on an individual’s specific financial needs, goals and risk profile. SoFi can’t guarantee future financial performance. Advisory services offered through SoFi Wealth, LLC. SoFi Securities, LLC, member FINRA / SIPC . The umbrella term “SoFi Invest” refers to the three investment and trading platforms operated by Social Finance, Inc. and its affiliates (described below). Individual customer accounts may be subject to the terms applicable to one or more of the platforms below.

Investment Risk: Diversification can help reduce some investment risk. It cannot guarantee profit, or fully protect in a down market.

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.

Automated Investing—The Automated Investing platform is owned by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor (“Sofi Wealth“). Brokerage services are provided to SoFi Wealth LLC by SoFi Securities LLC, an affiliated SEC registered broker dealer and member FINRA/SIPC, (“SoFi Securities”).
Active Investing—The Active Investing platform is owned by SoFi Securities LLC. Clearing and custody of all securities are provided by APEX Clearing Corporation.
For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest platforms described above, please visit https://www.sofi.com/legal/.
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If you invest in Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) through SoFi Invest (either by buying them yourself or via investing in SoFi Invest’s automated investments, formerly SoFi Wealth), these funds will have their own management fees. These fees are not paid directly by you, but rather by the fund itself. these fees do reduce the fund’s returns. Check out each fund’s prospectus for details. SoFi Invest does not receive sales commissions, 12b-1 fees, or other fees from ETFs for investing such funds on behalf of advisory clients, though if SoFi Invest creates its own funds, it could earn management fees there.
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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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Why You Should Start Retirement Planning in Your 20s

Why You Should Start Retirement Planning in Your 20s

When you’re in your 20s, the last thing on your mind may be the end of your career and the retirement that comes after. But thinking about retirement now can ensure your financial security in the future.

The longer you have to save for retirement, the better. Here’s why you should start thinking about retirement planning and investing in your 20s.

Main Reason to Start Saving for Retirement Early

When you start investing in your 20s, even if you begin with just a small amount, you have more time to build your nest egg. Typically, having a long time horizon means you have time to weather the ups and downs of the markets.

What’s more — and this is critical — the earlier you start saving, by opening a savings vehicle such as a high-yield savings account or a money market account, for instance, the more time you’ll have to take advantage of compound interest, which can help boost your ability to save. Compound interest is the reason small amounts of money saved now can go further than much larger amounts of money saved later. The more time you have, the more returns compound interest can deliver.

Compound Interest Example

Imagine you are 25 with plans to retire at 65. That gives you 40 years to save. If you save $100 a month in a money market account with an average annual return of 6% compounded monthly, at age 60, you would have saved about $200,244.

Now, let’s imagine that you waited for 30 years, until age 55 to start saving. You put $1,000 a month into a money market account. With an average annual return of 6% compounding monthly, you’d only have about $165,698 by the time you’re ready to retire, far less than if you’d started saving smaller amounts earlier.

The lesson? The longer you wait to start saving for retirement, the more money you’ll have to save later to make up the difference. Depending on your financial situation, it could be difficult to find these extra funds when you’re older.

Though it may not sound fun in your 20s to start putting money toward retirement, it may actually be easier in the long run.

💡 Quick Tip: Before opening an investment account, know your investment objectives, time horizon, and risk tolerance. These fundamentals will help keep your strategy on track and with the aim of meeting your goals.

How to Start Saving for Retirement in Your 20s

If you’re new to saving, starting a retirement fund requires a little bit of planning.

Step 1: Calculate how much you need to save

Set a goal. Consider your target retirement date and how long you’ll expect to be retired based on current life expectancy. What kind of lifestyle do you want to lead? And what do you expect your retirement expenses to be?

Step 2: Choose a savings vehicle

When it comes to where to put your savings, you have a number of options. For example, as of early August 2023, you could get around 4.5% APY on a high-yield savings account.

Many retirement savers also opt to use an investing account, such as a taxable brokerage account or tax-advantaged retirement savings account instead.

Keep in mind that investments in equities or other securities are riskier than savings accounts, but that allows for the possibility of better returns. Young investors may be better positioned than older investors to take on additional risk, since they have time to recover after a market decline. However, the amount of risk you’re willing to take on is an important consideration and a personal choice.

Step 3: Start investing

Once you’ve opened an account, your investment strategy depends on age, goals, time horizon and risk tolerance. For example, the longer you have before you retire, the more money you might consider investing in riskier assets such as stock, since you’ll have longer to ride out any rocky period in the market. As retirement approaches, you may want to re-allocate more of your portfolio to less risky assets, such as bonds.

Types of Retirement Plans

If you’re interested in opening a tax-advantaged retirement plan, there are three main account types to consider: 401(k)s and traditional IRAs, and Roth IRAs.

401(k)

A 401(k) is an employer sponsored retirement account that you invest in through your workplace, if your employer offers it. You make contributions to 401(k)s with pre-tax funds (meaning contributions lower your taxable income), usually deducted from your paycheck. Your 401(k) will typically offer a relatively small menu of investments from which you can choose.

Employers may also contribute to your 401(k) and often offer matching contributions. Consider saving enough money to at least meet your employer’s match, which is essentially free money and an important part of your total compensation.

Some companies also offer a Roth 401(k), which uses after-tax paycheck deferrals.

Individuals can contribute up to $23,000 in their 401(k) in 2024. Individuals can contribute up to $22,500 in their 401(k) in 2023. And those aged 50 and up can make an additional catch-up contribution of $7,500.

Money invested inside a 401(k) grows tax-deferred, and you’ll pay regular income tax on withdrawals that you make after age 59 ½. If you take out money before then, you could owe both income taxes and a 10% early withdrawal penalty.

You must begin making required minimum distributions (RMDs) from your account by age 73.

Learn more: What Is a 401(k)?

Traditional IRA

Traditional IRAs are not offered through employers. Anyone can open one as long as they have earned income. Depending on your income and access to other retirement savings accounts, you may be able to deduct contributions to a traditional IRA on your taxes.

As with 401(k) contributions, you’d owe taxes on traditional IRA withdrawals after age 59 ½ and may have to pay taxes and a penalty on early withdrawals.

In 2024, traditional IRA contribution limits are $7,000 a year or $8,000 for those aged 50 and up. In 2023, traditional IRA contribution limits are $6,500 a year or $7,500 for those aged 50 and up. Compared to 401(k)s, IRAs offer individuals the ability to invest in a much broader range of investments. These investments can then grow tax-deferred inside the account. Traditional IRAs are also subject to RMDs at age 73.

Roth IRA

Unlike 401(k)s and traditional IRAs, savings go into Roth IRAs with after-tax dollars and provide no immediate tax benefit. However, money inside the account grows tax-free and it isn’t subject to income tax when withdrawals are made after age 59 ½.

You can also withdraw your principal (but not the earnings) from a Roth at any time without a tax penalty as long as the Roth has been open for five tax years. The first tax year begins on January 1 of the year the first contribution was made and ends on the tax filing deadline of the next year, such as April 15. Any contribution made during that time counts as being made in the prior year. So, for instance if you made your first contribution on April 10, 2023, it counts as though it were made at the beginning of 2022. Therefore, your Roth would be considered open for five tax years in January 2027.

Roths are not subject to RMD rules. Contribution limits are the same as traditional IRAs.

Investing in Multiple Accounts

Individuals can have both a traditional and Roth IRA. But note the contribution limits apply to total contributions across both. So if you’re 25 and put $3,250 in a traditional IRA, you could only put up to $3,250 in your Roth as well in 2023.

You can also contribute to both a 401(k) and an IRA, however if you have access to a 401(k) at work you may not be able to deduct your IRA contributions.

Retirement Plan Strategies

The investment strategy you choose will depend largely on three things: your goals, time horizon and risk tolerance. These factors will help you determine your asset allocation, what types of assets you hold and in what proportion. Your retirement portfolio as a 20-something investor will likely look very different from a retirement portfolio of a 50-something investor.

For example, those with a high risk tolerance and long time horizon might hold a greater portion of stocks. This asset class is typically more volatile than bonds, but it also provides greater potential for growth.

The shorter a person’s time horizon and the less risk tolerance they have, the greater proportion of bonds they may want to include in their portfolio. Here’s a look at some portfolio strategies and the asset allocation that might accompany them:

Sample Portfolio Style

Asset allocation

Aggressive 100% stocks
Moderately Aggressive 80% stocks, 20% bonds
Moderate 60% stocks, 40% bonds
Moderately Conservative 30% stocks, 70% bonds
Conservative 100% bonds

The Takeaway

Even if you don’t have a lot of room in your budget to start investing, putting away what you can as early as you can, can go a long way toward saving for retirement. As you start to earn more money, you can increase the amount of money that you’re saving over time.

Ready to invest for your retirement? It’s easy to get started when you open a traditional or Roth IRA with SoFi. SoFi doesn’t charge commissions, but other fees apply (full fee disclosure here).

Help grow your nest egg with a SoFi IRA.

Photo credit: iStock/izusek


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.

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.

SoFi Invest®
INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE
SoFi Invest encompasses two distinct companies, with various products and services offered to investors as described below: Individual customer accounts may be subject to the terms applicable to one or more of these platforms.
1) Automated Investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser (“SoFi Wealth“). Brokerage services are provided to SoFi Wealth LLC by SoFi Securities LLC.
2) Active Investing and brokerage services are provided by SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA (www.finra.org)/SIPC(www.sipc.org). Clearing and custody of all securities are provided by APEX Clearing Corporation.
For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest platforms described above please visit SoFi.com/legal.
Neither the Investment Advisor Representatives of SoFi Wealth, nor the Registered Representatives of SoFi Securities are compensated for the sale of any product or service sold through any SoFi Invest platform.

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