CD Ladder Calculator
Build a certificate of deposit ladder for safe, predictable retirement income. Compare maturity schedules, APY rates, and interest projections with FDIC coverage analysis.
Investment Details
APY Rates by Term
CD Ladder Score
Excellent CD ladder setup for safe, predictable retirement income.
After-Tax Interest
$8,522/yr
Weighted APY
4.37%
Avg Maturity
25.80 mo
Annual Interest
$10,925
before taxes
After-Tax Interest
$8,522
at 22% bracket
Total Interest Earned
$22,588
at first maturity cycle
Weighted APY
4.37%
avg maturity: 25.80 mo
CD Ladder vs Alternatives
Annual interest comparison: ladder, single CD, and savings account
Maturity Allocation
Investment split by CD term length
Total
$250,000
Short-Term (3-6 mo)
40%$100,000/yr
Medium-Term (1-2 yr)
20%$50,000/yr
Long-Term (3-5 yr)
40%$100,000/yr
APY by Rung
Annual percentage yield across ladder rungs
vs Single CD
$-950
single CD advantage
vs Savings Account
+$2,175
ladder advantage
Early Withdrawal Cost
$5,463
6 months penalty
CD Ladder Structure
Individual CD rungs with terms, APYs, and maturity dates
| Rung | Term | Matures | Principal | APY | Interest Earned | Maturity Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | 3 Month | Oct 2026 | $50,000 | 4.50% | $563 | $50,563 |
| #2 | 6 Month | Jan 2027 | $50,000 | 4.60% | $1,150 | $51,150 |
| #3 | 2 Year | Jul 2028 | $50,000 | 4.50% | $4,500 | $54,500 |
| #4 | 3 Year | Jul 2029 | $50,000 | 4.25% | $6,375 | $56,375 |
| #5 | 5 Year | Jul 2031 | $50,000 | 4.00% | $10,000 | $60,000 |
5-Year Projection
Interest earned and portfolio growth with reinvestment
Personalized Insights
Actionable recommendations based on your numbers
Improved Liquidity
Your 5-rung CD ladder provides access to maturing funds every 5 months on average, compared to locking up all funds in a single long-term CD.
Higher Returns Than Savings
Your CD ladder earns $2,175 more per year than a high-yield savings account, while maintaining predictable returns and FDIC protection.
Inverted Yield Curve Impact
Short-term CDs currently offer higher APYs than longer terms. Your ladder blended rate of 4.37% is slightly lower, but you gain flexibility and protection against rate changes.
Fully FDIC Insured
Each rung of $50,000 is well within the $250,000 FDIC insurance limit per depositor, per bank. Your principal is fully protected.
Early Withdrawal Penalty
Breaking a CD early would cost approximately $5,463 (6 months of interest). The ladder structure minimizes this risk by staggering maturities.
Positive Real Return
Your CD ladder earns 1.87% above inflation, preserving and growing your purchasing power. This is a solid position for conservative retirement income.
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