Safe money rates, this week
Updated every week.
Fed rate: 3.75–4.00%, unchanged from a year ago. G Fund: +4.98% over 12 months.
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1. Every safe rate in one table
| Where | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fed funds target range | 3.75–4.00% | Set by the Federal Reserve |
| 3-month Treasury bill | 4.19% | Yield, Nov 6, 2026 |
| 1-year Treasury | 4.33% | Yield, Nov 6, 2026 |
| 12-month CD | 1.76% | FDIC national average, October 2026 |
| Savings account | 0.38% | FDIC national average, October 2026 |
| TSP G Fund | +4.98% | 12-month return; +0.46% in October 2026 |
| I bond (issued November 2026–April 2027) | 5.51% | Fixed part 1.40%; resets every 6 months |
The 1-year Treasury pays 4.33%. The national average CD trails the 1-year Treasury by 2.57 points, because the average includes banks that pay almost nothing. Online banks and brokered CDs often pay close to Treasury rates, so shop before you lock in.
2. Treasuries vs. a year ago
| Maturity | Nov 6, 2026 | A year earlier |
|---|---|---|
| 3-month Treasury bill | 4.19% | 3.93% |
| 1-year Treasury | 4.33% | 3.65% |
| 2-year Treasury | 4.51% | 3.57% |
| 5-year Treasury | 4.64% | 3.69% |
| 10-year Treasury | 4.86% | 4.11% |
The Fed’s range is unchanged from a year ago. The 12-month CD average was 1.68% a year ago, against 1.76% now.
3. The past year
Short-term rates follow the Fed closely. Long-term rates move on inflation and growth expectations, which is why the 10-year can rise even when the Fed cuts.
4. What it means for your cash
- Emergency fund: keep it where you can reach it in a day, such as a high-yield savings account or money market fund. Where to keep your cash compares the options.
- Money you’ll spend in 1 to 5 years: a ladder of Treasuries or CDs locks in today’s rates for each year’s spending. See bond, CD and Treasury ladders.
- In the TSP: the G Fund can’t lose principal and often pays close to intermediate Treasury yields. G Fund vs. C Fund covers when it makes sense.
- Inflation protection: I bonds and TIPS keep pace with prices; the $10,000-a-year I bond limit caps how much they can do. Protecting savings from inflation has the details.
5. Frequently asked questions
What is the Fed funds rate right now?
The Federal Reserve’s target range is 3.75% to 4.00%, unchanged from a year ago. It sets what banks pay each other overnight and pulls T-bill, CD and savings rates along with it.
Are Treasuries or CDs paying more?
This week the 1-year Treasury yields 4.33% while the FDIC’s national average 12-month CD pays 1.76%. Many online banks pay well above the national average, so compare the best CD you can actually get against the Treasury yield. Treasury interest is also exempt from state income tax.
What is the G Fund paying?
The G Fund returned +0.46% in October 2026, about 5.66% a year at that pace, and +4.98% over the past 12 months. Its rate resets monthly and it cannot lose principal.
What is the I bond rate now?
5.51% for I bonds issued from November 2026 to April 2027: a 1.40% fixed rate that lasts the life of the bond plus an inflation rate that resets every six months.
Rates are published averages and yields, not offers. Treasury yields are constant-maturity yields; CD and savings figures are FDIC national averages. This page is informational, not investment advice.