Everyone likes to win big. So what if saving money could make it possible to win more money? That actually is possible, thanks to prize-linked savings accounts that combine a normal savings account with a lottery-esque opportunity to win prize money.
Keep reading to learn:
• How prize-linked savings accounts work.
• The pros and cons of prize-linked savings accounts.
• How to open a prize-linked savings account.
• Alternatives to prize-linked savings accounts.
What Is a Prize-Linked Savings Account?
A prized-linked savings account is essentially a standard account, but it gives account holders the opportunity to win prizes. In addition to their presence in the U.S., they’re more common in other countries, including Germany, Argentina, and Japan.
The way that prize-linked savings accounts work is they allow account holders to enter raffles to earn cash prizes. If you have one of these prize accounts, how would you enter? By making deposits into a savings account, CD, or savings bond. Currently, these types of accounts are offered by financial institutions such as credit unions in 34 different states.
These savings accounts earn a nominal amount of interest and aren’t a solid replacement for a traditional savings account in the long run. However, they can be good for short-term savings. They’re designed to encourage people with low- or moderate-income levels to save more, which is a great thing.
Recommended: Checking Accounts vs. Savings Accounts: Key Differences to Know
Types of Prize-Linked Savings Accounts
To make it easier to understand how prize-linked savings accounts work, let’s look at a few real-life examples of these savings accounts that are available domestically.
Save to Win
The Save to Win pilot project allows credit unions to hold savings promotion raffles. (Banks or other financial institutions weren’t allowed to operate lotteries under this program.) Since 2009, Save to Win has awarded more than $1.4 million in prizes to more than 14,000 members in four states.
Lucky Savers
Since 2015, Lucky Savers has motivated New Yorkers to save by rewarding smart savings habits. This program was exclusive to credit unions and was formatted as a 12-month share certificate with unlimited deposit capabilities. Opening this account only required a $25 initial deposit. Then, for every $25 in month-over-month balance increase, account holders earned one entry into monthly and quarterly prize drawings.
WINcentive
WINcentive® Savings is another credit union-exclusive program. This program in Minnesota offers prize drawing entries for every $25 an account holder saves for up to four entries each month. Prize drawings occur monthly, quarterly, and annually. In 2012 alone, $100,000 in cash prizes were awarded to account holders.
Are Prize-Linked Savings Accounts (PLSAs) Legal?
Prize-linked savings accounts are legal in some states that have enacted legislation to allow these types of accounts. In response to concerns surrounding prize-linked savings programs, Congress passed the American Savings Promotion Act which authorizes banks and thrifts (a financial institution specializing in savings accounts and mortgages) to conduct savings promotion raffles. It also excludes these raffles from the prohibition against financial institutions dealing in lotteries.
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Pros of Opening a Prize-Linked Savings Account
Depending on your circumstances and financial goals, a prize account can offer a number of advantages. The pros of these savings accounts are:
• Prize-linked savings accounts can incentivize individuals to save more money. Programs have found the amount of savers and savings amounts increase when there is a prize incentive.
• It’s possible to win money that can help offset monthly expenses or can be large enough to be the equivalent of a small lottery prize.
• It’s possible to win prize money without any of the normal risks that come with gambling or buying lottery tickets. The account holder gets to keep their savings whether they win a prize or not.
Cons of Opening a Prize-Linked Savings Account
Along with the benefits, there are disadvantages to prize-linked savings accounts. These include:
• Prize-linked savings accounts earn little to no interest. The chance of winning money may not be worth forgoing a better interest rate with traditional or high-interest savings accounts.
• Winning any prize money at all is not guaranteed and not predictable, like a steady stream of interest earnings is.
• These prize-linked savings accounts are often cheaper for financial institutions to offer than traditional savings accounts with higher interest rates. For this reason, they might not promote what better savings options an account holder might have.
Opening a Prize-Linked Savings Account
If you want to open a prize-linked savings account, these are the steps you’ll generally take.
1. Find a bank or credit union that offers prize-linked savings accounts. These accounts aren’t available in all states and are more commonly found at credit unions.
2. Apply to open a prize-linked savings account. The applicant will usually need to provide two forms of identification during the application process.
3. Make a deposit. Most prize-linked savings accounts have small initial minimum-deposit requirements.
Are There Taxes on PLSAs?
There are tax requirements surrounding prize-linked savings account winnings. Sure, you can go and spend money from your savings account that’s been plumped up thanks to a cash prize. However, anyone who wins money from one of these accounts should be prepared to pay taxes on their winnings according to state and federal laws.
Alternatives to a Prize-Linked Savings Account
Because there’s no guarantee that you will win any money with a prize-linked savings account, you may want to consider these other savings options that can offer a more guaranteed return.
• High-yield savings accounts. High-yield savings accounts are simply normal savings accounts with high interest rates. Usually, high-yield savings accounts are found at online banks. Because online banks don’t have to spend a ton of money on brick-and-mortar banking locations, they are able to offer higher interest rates, lower fees, or other bank account bonuses. High-yield savings accounts allow consumers to take advantage of compound interest.
• Money market account. Money market accounts tend to have a higher APY that normal savings accounts do, but they may have similar withdrawal limits to savings accounts. Check with your financial institution to see if there is a cap on the number of withdrawals you can make per month.
• Certificate of deposit. A certificate of deposit (CD) has a minimum deposit requirement. It also has a set timeframe during which you can’t withdraw your money from the CD without having to pay a penalty fee. Usually, CDs have higher interest rates than both savings accounts and money market accounts.
The Takeaway
The potential to win prize money through a prize-linked savings account can make saving more appealing for some consumers. That being said, these accounts tend to have much lower interest rates than normal savings accounts, and there is no guarantee the account holder will ever win any money. Before opening one, carefully consider if a prize-linked savings account can meet your needs or if you would be better off with a different financial vehicle.
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FAQ
Are prize-linked savings accounts legal?
Yes, prize-linked savings accounts are legal in 34 states. Congress passed the American Savings Promotion Act in 2014, which authorizes banks and thrift banks to conduct savings promotion raffles.
Is a lottery account safe?
Lottery accounts are a safe way to save money. There is no actual gambling involved with a prize-linked savings account. Account holders get to keep all of their savings whether or not they win prize money.
How do I open a lottery account?
The process of opening a prize-linked savings account is the same as opening a normal savings account. Once someone finds a bank or credit union that offers this type of savings account, they will apply and provide all of the information and identifying documentation required during the application process. Then they will make an initial deposit.
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