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Best Banks for Savings Accounts for November 2026

October 28, 2026 MMN Editor Filed Under: Money.com, SUCCESS

Key Takeaways

The best banks for savings accounts offer higher rates than their competitors, with numerous financial institutions offering annual percentage yields (APYs) near or above 4.4%. They also have low minimum balance requirements and charge few to no fees.
Many banks and credit unions have been increasing the interest rates they offer in recent weeks following the Federal Reserve’s September rate hike — its first since July 2023.
Money’s methodology for selecting the best savings account is based on several key points, including account fees, access to funds, APY, customer service, financial standing, fraud protection, minimum deposit requirements, privacy, security, transparency and more.

The best savings accounts offer high annual percentage yields (APYs), have low minimum balance requirements and charge low (or no) fees while also providing customers with reliable and widely accessible customer service.
The products on our list offer some of the highest APYs available. Organized alphabetically, here are Money’s top picks for the best savings accounts for November 2026:

Ally: Best Digital Savings Tools
Barclays: Best Savings Account to Pair With a Certificate of Deposit (CD)
Bread: Best No-Frills Savings Account
Capital One: Best Savings Account for Kids and Teens
CIT Bank: Best Savings Account for $5,000 and Up
Marcus by Goldman Sachs: Best Online Savings Account Option
Raisin: Best Savings Account Marketplace
SoFi: Best Savings and Checking Account Combination
Synchrony Bank: Best Savings Account with an ATM Card

*Rates and APYs are subject to change. All information provided here is accurate as of Oct. 20, 2026.

Pros

Savings “buckets” make it easy to visualize and keep track of savings goals
“Surprise Savings” tool to help you identify potential savings opportunities
24/7 customer support, no minimum deposit required, and mobile check deposit available
No fees for maintenance, overdrafts, incoming wires or cashier’s checks
No. 2 in customer satisfaction among HYSA providers

Cons

No ATM access for online savings account (you can still use ATMs without a fee)
No brick and mortar locations
Withdrawals are limited to 10 per statement cycle
Very low Trustpilot ratings
CFPB complaints are trending upward

HIGHLIGHTS

APY
3.1%

Minimum opening deposit
None

Other fees
Expedited delivery $15 / Outgoing domestic wires $20

Ally Bank offers innovative savings tools, such as “buckets” and “boosters,” which are integrated into its mobile app.
Ally Bank’s online savings account not only offers a competitive APY, but also stands out with its smart saving tools. Saving buckets allow savers to divide their savings into up to 10 different categories. Additionally, Ally Bank offers automated savings tools called boosters that feature:

Recurring transfers: Schedule recurring transfers from your checking account.

Round ups: Ally automatically rounds up eligible transactions to the nearest dollar, then automatically transfers these amounts to your savings in increments of $5 or more.

Surprise savings: Ally analyzes your checking account monthly for funds it considers “safe to save” and automatically transfers them to your savings account.

You can opt in or out of these automated boosters at any time. There are also visualization features on the Ally app that help you better track progress and meet savings goals.

Pros

No monthly fees on savings or CD accounts
Competitive APYs on CDs with a variety of term lengths
No minimum deposit requirement for savings or CDs
Above-average customer satisfaction among HYSA providers
Up to $200 cash bonus

Cons

No ATM access

Low BBB reviews
Must have a balance of $250k to get highest rates

HIGHLIGHTS

APY
3.5% to 3.65%

Minimum opening deposit
None

Other fees
No monthly maintenance fees / No limit to the number of withdrawals and transfers

Barclays offers competitive rates for its savings account and certificates of deposit (CDs).
Barclays Online Savings offers a strong APY, allows for check deposits (which not all accounts do) and boasts an even higher APY (up to 4.75%) on its CDs. Its CDs come with terms of either 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48 or 60 months. If you’re looking to incorporate a CD alongside your savings account, Barclays is a solid choice.

Pros

No monthly maintenance fee
Mobile check deposit
Wide variety of CD terms available
Unlimited transfers to external accounts
Highly rated mobile apps

Cons

Required $100 opening deposit may be too high for some customers
No ATM card available
$1,500 minimum required for CDs

HIGHLIGHTS

APY
4.05%

Minimum opening deposit
$100

Other fees
$25 per outgoing wire transfer / $15 per official check request / $5 per paper statement request

Bread Savings has one of the highest APYs on our list. The online bank charges no fees, has a mobile check deposit option and allows unlimited transfers.
Bread Financial offers a high-yield savings account with a strong APY, which requires a minimum opening deposit of $100. You can fund your account through electronic transfers or mobile check deposits in the Bread Financial app.
After funding, Bread Savings has no ongoing minimum balance requirement or monthly fees. The bank also doesn’t charge overdraft fees, and there are no restrictions on the number of transfers to external bank accounts. The bank also has a wide variety of CD terms (with up to 4.85% APYs) you can pair with your account, though you’ll need at least $1,500 to open one.

Pros

No minimum required deposit, no account maintenance fees, no excess withdrawal fees

Available for ages 6 and up and offers automatic savings rules to help your child save more
Offers automatic savings rules to help your child save more
Can create separate multiple accounts for separate savings goals
Above-average customer satisfaction among HYSA providers

Cons

No ATM card
APY is lower than other companies we evaluated

HIGHLIGHTS

APY
2.5%

Minimum opening deposit
None

Other fees
No monthly or maintenance fees

Capital One offers a custodial savings account with no monthly fees, no minimum deposit and a competitive APY. Parents and guardians can link this account to their own to help manage finances.
While best known for its credit cards, Capital One offers multiple savings products, including its Kids Savings Account (available to children ages 6 and up). Parents and guardians with children of any age can open this free account, which also has no minimum balance requirement, to help them learn personal finance basics without the risk of extra charges.
The savings account can be paired with a fee-free Teen Checking Account, which comes with a debit card that guardians can lock or unlock at any time. Parents and guardians can set up automated deposits from this account as well as transfers from their own accounts, and oversee all of their Capital One accounts via the mobile app.
While the APY on the Kids Savings Account is lower than what’s offered by other financial institutions on our list, it remains a helpful tool for youth to learn how to manage money while under adult supervision. And if you need your own savings account, the bank’s 360 Performance Savings is a popular choice and currently offers a 3.1% APY.

Pros

High APY for accounts funded with $5,000 or more
No balance cap on highest available APY, and no limit on transfers to external bank accounts
No opening, maintenance or overdraft fees
Mobile check deposit via CIT Bank app
Highly rated mobile apps

Cons

No ATM card for withdrawals
Must maintain balance of $5,000 or more to earn highest APY
Highest APY only available for six months
Low Trustpilot ratings

HIGHLIGHTS

APY
4.25% (Platinum Savings)

Minimum opening deposit
$5,000 for highest APY, $100 otherwise

Other fees
$10 outgoing wire transfer fee for accounts with less than $25,000

CIT Bank offers 4.25% APY on balances of $5,000 or more.
The bank charges no monthly or overdraft fees and has no limits on how many transfers you can make out of your Platinum Savings account. A $100 deposit is required to open the account. Note that while there is no ongoing minimum balance requirement, only balances of $5,000 and up earn the highest available APY. Below that threshold, the APY is just 0.75% (including the six-month boost).
CIT Bank also offers the Savings Connect account, which has a slightly lower APY (currently 3.65%). That also requires only $100 to open and there is no minimum to get the highest APY. Like Platinum Savings, this account also features no monthly fees and no overdraft charges.
For a complete list of account details and fees, see CIT’s Personal Account disclosures.
*Platinum Savings is a tiered interest rate account. Interest is paid on the entire account balance based on the interest rate and APY in effect that day for the balance tier associated with the end-of-day account balance.

*APYs — annual percentage yields are accurate as of Oct. 20, 2026: 3.65% APY on balances of $0.01 to $4,999.99; 4.25% APY on balances of $5,000.00 or more. Interest rates for the Platinum Savings account are variable and may change at any time without notice. The minimum to open a Platinum Savings account is $100.
 
*Based on comparison to the national average Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on savings accounts as published in the FDIC National Rates and Rate Caps, accurate as of Oct. 20, 2026.

Pros

Same-day transfers of up to $100,000 (inbound and outbound)
No monthly fees, no wire transfer fees and no minimum deposit requirement
24/7 customer service
No. 1 in customer satisfaction for HYSA providers
Highly rated mobile apps

Cons

No ATM access for savings account
No mobile check deposits

HIGHLIGHTS

APY
3.5%

Minimum opening deposit
None

Other fees
None

Marcus by Goldman Sachs is our choice for the best online savings account due to its solid APY, fast transfers and low fees
Marcus by Goldman Sachs offers a solid savings account: no fees, competitive APY and no minimum opening deposit requirement. You can also transfer funds both in and out of the account — up to $100,000 — on the same day. There’s even a “transfer tracker” to help you monitor the status and timing of any transfers.

Pros

Compare savings accounts from over 10 different credit unions and banks
No monthly fees on any accounts offered so long as you satisfy account requirements
You can add additional savings products to your Raisin account to get the most out of your funds
Very high Trustpilot ratings
Up to $1,000 cash bonus

Cons

Must register with Raisin for access to all savings products
Account requirements (e.g., minimum opening deposit) and features vary widely across financial institutions

HIGHLIGHTS

APY
Up to 4.3%

Minimum opening deposit
$1

Other fees
Varies by bank

Raisin partners with over 100 financial institutions to offer a variety of savings products with competitive APYs — including the highest on Money’s list.
Raisin is an online marketplace where you can comparison-shop for high-yield savings accounts and CDs from 100+ member FDIC or NCUA national banks, online-only banks and credit unions, including Liberty Savings Bank, EverBank, Quontic Bank, Sallie Mae and Western Alliance Bank.
You can search for accounts based on specific characteristics (e.g., credit union, minority-led, charitable companies, digital first) as well as APY and the amount you plan to deposit. Furthermore, once you’ve signed up, you can add additional accounts from other partner banks and manage them all at once through your Raisin account. It’s also worth mentioning that Raisin comes highly rated by customers. The site has 4.4 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot, based on more than 13,000 reviews.

Pros

Sign-up bonus of up to $400
Multiple savings tools, including Vaults for individual savings goals
Get paid up to two days early with direct deposit to checking account
Interest-bearing checking account
Above-average customer satisfaction among HYSA providers

Cons

Must set up direct deposit to SoFi checking account to qualify for highest APY and signup bonus
Highest APY only available for six months

HIGHLIGHTS

APY
Up to 4.4% (with qualifying boost of 1.1% for the first six months)

Minimum opening deposit
None

Other fees
None

SoFi offers a strong savings APY and cash back on debit card purchases, plus a sign-up bonus of up to $400. If you meet certain direct deposit requirements, you can earn up to 4.4% APY for the first six months.
SoFi is an ideal choice for people looking to host their savings and checking accounts within the same bank. Its savings account offers a competitive APY and several savings tools, including automated round-ups. (SoFi automatically rounds up your debit card purchases to the nearest dollar and deposits the change into your savings account.)
Furthermore, new SoFi customers can receive up to $400 as a sign-up bonus. To get the full amount, you must receive direct deposits totaling at least $5,000 during the qualifying period, which starts the day you receive your first direct deposit and ends 25 days later. Direct deposits of at least $1,000 but less than $5,000 qualify for a $50 bonus.

Pros

Includes debit card for ATM withdrawals and purchases
No monthly limit on number of ATM transactions
No minimum deposit, minimum balance or monthly fees
Virtual savings goal calculator
Numerous CD options available

Cons

Only $5 in ATM fee reimbursements per statement cycle
$1,000 daily ATM withdrawal limit
$500 daily point-of-sale transaction limit
Limit of six transfers to external accounts per month
Below-average customer satisfaction among HYSA providers
$25 wire transfer fee

HIGHLIGHTS

APY
3.75%

Minimum opening deposit
None

Other fees
Surcharges from out-of-network ATMs (refunded up to $5 per month), $25 outgoing wire transfer fee

Synchrony Bank is one of the few banks that includes an ATM card with its online savings account.
You can use your Synchrony ATM withdrawals for free at in-network ATMs (Plus or Accel) or for a fee at out-of-network ATMs. You may also be able to use your ATM card fee-free at businesses that accept PIN-based ATM cards.
Note that Synchrony only reimburses up to $5 in ATM fees per statement cycle. Additionally, there is a limit of $1,000 in ATM withdrawals per day.

How to choose a savings account
The most important factor when choosing a savings account should be a high APY. This ensures that your savings get a small monthly boost.
However, the best savings accounts also include features such as:

No monthly fees

No minimum balance requirements

No overdraft fees

Easy account management, including online transfers in and out of your account

Mobile banking app with mobile check deposit

No limit on how many withdrawals you can make per cycle

Access to funds via ATM withdrawal with no ATM fees (or unlimited reimbursements)

24/7 customer service
Strong customer ratings

How does APY work?
Annual percentage yield (APY) works by compounding interest. The APY shows the total amount of interest you will earn, including both the principal (the funds you deposit) and the interest earned on those funds.
For example: You deposit $1,000 into a savings account with a 5.02% interest rate and 5.15% APY. The interest rate is the amount you earn on the principal ($1,000). However, the APY reflects compound interest, which includes the principal amount plus the interest earned.
We’ll use daily compounding interest in this scenario, because that’s what most savings accounts offer (rather than monthly compounding interest). With an APY of 5.15%, in 12 months — assuming you don’t withdraw or add any funds — you earn a total of $51.48 in interest. At this point, your savings account balance will be $1,051.48.
It’s important to note that APYs are variable and can rise or fall depending on market conditions. Keep an eye out for changes to ensure you’re getting the best possible return on your funds. For example, with the Federal Reserve recently voting to raise interest rates, many banks have opted to increase their savings account rates. These increases are reflected in the rates listed for each institution above.
Latest news in savings accounts
The Federal Reserve voted to increase the federal funds rate at its September meeting by a quarter-point. When the Fed raises rates, it often results in higher savings and CD rates, too. Be sure to check that your financial institutions are still paying the highest rates available.
Rates on CDs, a popular type of savings vehicle, were already trending upward before the Fed’s most recent meeting. According to CD Valet, 93% of rate changes on the site since September were increases. The number of institutions offering APYs of 4% or higher jumped almost 74%.

Savings Accounts FAQs
Which bank has the best savings account?
The best savings account depends on your financial needs. If you’re looking for an account with digital savings tools, Ally is your best bet. For a kids savings account, look to Capital One. And for an account that pairs well with a certificate of deposit, consider Barclays. All three ranked in Money’s list of the best savings accounts for 2026.
What account fees should you avoid with savings accounts?
Accounts fees you should avoid with savings accounts include monthly maintenance fees and minimum balance fees. Most financial institutions do not charge these fees. If yours does, consider looking for a new account.
How does a savings account work?
A savings account works as follows: You deposit funds and those funds earn interest at a rate determined by the financial institution in question. Interest may be calculated daily, weekly or monthly, although daily is most common. Banks typically credit this interest once per month.
How much interest does a savings account earn?
The interest you earn with a savings account varies by financial institution. Some savings accounts are offering low annual percentage yields, while others are on par with the rates of high-yield savings accounts.
Can I open a savings account for my child?
Yes, opening a savings account for a child is as simple as opening one for an adult. In addition to requirements listed above, the other information you’ll need to provide is your child’s. A savings account not only provides funds for your child, but can also help them learn the basics of personal finance.
Which bank offers 7% interest on savings accounts?
No banks are offering 7% interest rates on savings accounts these days. The current national average rate on a savings account is 0.38%, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Some banks offer high-yield savings accounts with rates that go up to 4.25%

How we chose the best banks for savings accounts
Our methodology for selecting the best savings account is based on several key points, including:

Access to funds: We considered access to funds in analyzing savings accounts to provide detailed information about how (and how often) customers can make withdrawals.

Account fees: We searched for savings accounts with zero monthly fees.

Annual percentage yield (APY): We reviewed accounts for consistently strong APYs.

Customer service: Financial institutions must have a strong reputation for excellent customer service. We analyzed customer feedback across multiple third-party review sites, as well as J.D. Power’s Direct Banking Satisfaction Survey.

Financial standing: Your financial institution should have a good financial rating from a reputable credit rating agency. We analyzed reports from S&P Global Ratings, Moody’s and Fitch Group.

Fraud protection: We looked for financial institutions that offer assistance with fraud identification, including tips for spotting identity theft and financial scams. We also analyzed fraud protection policies for guarantees that customers will not be held liable for unauthorized transactions.

Minimum deposit requirement: We considered accounts with minimum deposit requirements and included them only when they offered benefits to account holders.

Member FDIC or NCUA: We require that all financial institutions on our list are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), which guarantees deposits up to $250,000 per depositor, per ownership category, per FDIC-insured institution.

Mobile app: We assessed ease of use and ratings for each financial institution’s mobile app.

Privacy: Financial companies often share your personal information to help you use their products effectively. Details about information sharing should be clearly stated in a financial institution’s privacy policy. However, customers should be given the option to opt out of sharing their personal information with third parties, as required by federal law.

Security: We analyzed banking site and mobile app security measures, such as end-to-end data encryption, multi-factor authentication and biometric login options.

Transparency: Financial institutions should be upfront about fees, interest rates and other terms.

David Ellison’s Skydance Is Giving Employees a Choice: Come Into the Office 5 Days a Week or Take a Buyout

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Suze Orman says the biggest retirement asset hides a trap

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A retiree may appear financially ready to stop working, but much of their wealth could be tied up in assets that are harder to access than cash or investments in a brokerage account.

Suze Orman, host of the “Women & Money” podcast, warned in a 2023 episode that including all home equity in net worth can make a household’s financial position look stronger than it really is.

Although a primary residence counts as an asset, accessing its equity typically requires selling the property, borrowing against it, or taking out a reverse mortgage.

Retirees who base spending decisions on total net worth rather than accessible resources risk withdrawing too much or retiring before their finances can support it.

Also Read: Suze Orman’s retirement investing warning quietly returns

Suze Orman’s net worth warning targets a flaw most retirees overlook

Many retirement planning tools total assets without clearly distinguishing between funds retirees can readily withdraw and equity tied up in a primary residence.

Orman warned that this single-number approach can create a false sense of financial security, 24/7 Wall St noted, particularly as rising property values inflate net worth without generating spendable income.

Nadia Evangelou, director of real estate research at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), shared that homeowners in their 60s have typically accumulated roughly $200,000 or more in housing wealth from appreciation alone, five times the median retirement savings.

<strong>While retirement assets are more concentrated among higher-income households, for many middle-class homeowners, their home is their single largest asset as they transition into retirement</strong>.

For retirees whose wealth is concentrated in their homes, that distinction can be decisive: Their reported net worth may look substantial, even when their accessible financial cushion is limited.

Home equity and retirement accounts dominate the typical family balance sheet

The median family with a working head between ages 25 and 64 holds 78.2% of its total wealth in just two categories, individual retirement accounts and home equity, according to the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI).

That ratio rises sharply with age, climbing from 55% for families with heads of household aged 25 to 34 to 87.4% for those aged 55 to 64. 

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Geoffrey Sanzenbacher, research fellow at the Center for Retirement Research (CRR), calculated that Americans aged 65 and older hold approximately $12 trillion in home equity that remains unspent and locked inside primary residences.

Sanzenbacher’s research showed that housing wealth accounts for the majority of total wealth in the second and third quintiles of the wealth distribution among older households.

Only the top 20% hold enough financial assets that home equity represents a small fraction of their overall resources.

Home equity and retirement accounts make up 78.2% of typical family wealth, leaving older households heavily reliant on housing for financial security.whyframestudio / Getty Images

Turning home equity into spending money costs more than retirees expect

Accessing home equity can involve transaction costs, borrowing expenses, relocation, or restrictions on how much cash a homeowner can obtain. The trade-offs depend on whether the retiree sells, downsizes, or borrows against the property.

Selling captures equity but may involve agent commissions, closing costs, moving expenses, and the emotional difficulty of leaving a longtime home.

Sanzenbacher has also highlighted the sentimental attachment that can discourage older homeowners from downsizing, even when doing so could improve their financial flexibility.

Reverse mortgages offer another route, letting eligible homeowners borrow against their equity without required monthly payments. However, interest and fees can increase the outstanding balance over time, reducing the equity remaining for the borrower or their heirs.

A 2017 Journal of Finance study, “Reverse Mortgage Loans: A Quantitative Analysis,” found that only 1.9% of eligible homeowners held reverse mortgage loans in 2013.

The timeline for converting home equity imposes a cost no liquid asset has, because selling a home requires months of listing, negotiation, and closing.

Housing market conditions can shift during that window, potentially reducing the price a seller receives before the transaction completes. 

A retiree needing emergency cash cannot speed a closing or draw partial equity the way a brokerage withdrawal permits. Orman drew a harder line on her podcast, noting that stocks remain liquid even in a crisis, while a single event can destroy a home’s value.

How to pressure-test your retirement plan

Orman advised retirees to calculate two net worth figures, one with the house and one without, and build their withdrawal plan around the lower figure, treating any future proceeds from downsizing or a reverse mortgage as supplemental. 

A plan calibrated to the smaller number holds up whether property values climb, stall, or drop during the opening years of retirement.

Vanguard’s 2025 Retirement Outlook found that workers who save through a defined contribution plan are nearly twice as likely to be retirement-ready as those without one, making accessible accounts the first line of defense once paychecks stop.

Timing matters, too. A 2026 brief from the Center for Retirement Research found that sellers in their 80s receive roughly 5% less than sellers in their 40s for comparable properties.

If retirees plan to downsize, they should consider how delaying a sale could affect the proceeds available to fund later expenses.

Vanguard’s Principles for Retirement Income recommends maintaining a contingency fund and spending reserve to reduce the risk of having to sell investments during a market downturn.

Ultimately, a retirement plan should remain viable without relying on rising home values, a future home sale, or a reverse mortgage to cover essential expenses.

By stress-testing withdrawals against lower asset values, preparing for unexpected costs, and keeping accessible reserves, retirees can reduce their dependence on uncertain sources of equity and build a more resilient income strategy.

Related: Fidelity’s data makes Suze Orman’s 401(k) warning hard to ignore

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Elon Musk once backed Buffett’s 5-minute fix for national debt: ‘This is the way’

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Congress has a job security problem, at least according to Warren Buffett.

The legendary investor once suggested a rule that could make every lawmaker think twice before letting the federal deficit run wild. Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk liked the idea.

But after getting a taste of Washington himself, Musk now has a very different answer to America’s debt crisis.

Buffett’s threat to Congress over national debt

“I can end the deficit in five minutes,” Berkshire Hathaway’s Warren Buffett said on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” in July 2011.

His plan was to make every sitting member of Congress ineligible for reelection whenever the federal deficit exceeded 3% of gross domestic product.

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Forget another budget showdown or a stern warning about America’s credit rating. Buffett wanted lawmakers to have some skin in the game. If they couldn’t keep the deficit below the limit, they couldn’t run again.

The proposal was more pointed argument than serious legislative blueprint. Still, the idea had a way of resurfacing whenever Washington’s spending habits made headlines.

Musk backed Buffett’s federal deficit solution

In June 2025, Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) shared Buffett’s proposal on X and asked Musk whether he supported it. Musk replied, “100%. This is the way.”

Lee had been discussing a constitutional amendment that would disqualify lawmakers if inflation or the deficit crossed a specified threshold. Musk’s response put his public support behind a proposal that would make fiscal discipline a matter of political survival.

There’s just one problem. The deficit has already well exceeded Buffett’s proposed limit.

Elon Musk and Warren Buffett have very different approaches when it comes to making money, but they both agree on how to solve the national debt.Kevin Dietsch / Getty Images

Washington’s debt keeps growing

The federal deficit reached roughly $2 trillion in fiscal 2026, or about 6.2% of GDP. Gross federal debt climbed to around $40.5 trillion in October, according to the U.S. Treasury.

By Buffett’s proposed rule, Congress would be in trouble. But turning the idea into law would face major legal and political hurdles, and removing lawmakers wouldn’t automatically resolve the budget choices behind the deficit.

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Musk now says robots may be the answer

Musk’s view has shifted after his stint leading the Department of Government Efficiency, the federal cost-cutting initiative known as DOGE.

In an October 2026 podcast interview with biographer Walter Isaacson, Musk said he concluded that the government couldn’t solve the deficit through spending cuts alone.

“The only way we’re going to solve the national debt is with AI and robots,” Musk told Isaacson.

Musk argued that artificial intelligence and robotics could drive enough economic growth to change the country’s financial outlook. It’s a striking shift from the idea that politicians simply need stronger incentives to control spending.

Buffett’s proposal would put lawmakers’ jobs on the line. Musk’s latest argument puts his faith in technology.

Neither guarantees a solution. For now, the deficit keeps growing, and Washington still has to decide how to pay its bills.

Related: JPMorgan’s CEO just sent a memo to anyone watching the U.S. economy

Considering a Reverse Mortgage? Here’s What You Can Expect to Pay

October 28, 2026 MMN Editor Filed Under: Money.com, SUCCESS

Reverse mortgages can be a versatile tool in many retirees’ arsenal, helping to bridge the gap when Social Security and savings aren’t quite enough on their own. A chief benefit of reverse mortgages is that you can avoid the monthly mortgage payments required with other home equity financing options.
That doesn’t mean reverse mortgages are without costs, however. You’ll need to pay some upfront fees, as well as ongoing expenses throughout the life of your loan. But so long as you meet the loan obligations (more on those below), you don’t have to pay back the reverse mortgage balance until you (or your co-borrower) permanently leave the home.
Although full repayment may be a way off, it’s critical to have a clear understanding of all the costs associated with a reverse mortgage so you can accurately weigh how it will affect your overall financial plan. Here’s what you can expect to pay from the application process through the life of the loan.

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Fees to pay before you open your reverse mortgage
Taking out a reverse mortgage requires some due diligence on your and your lender’s part, similar to taking out a traditional mortgage to buy a home. But because a reverse mortgage works differently, there are a few extra costs to consider, too.
Reverse mortgage counseling
Cost: Typically between $125 and $200, depending on the counseling agency
Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs), the most common type of reverse mortgage, follow strict guidelines set by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to protect lenders and borrowers.
You’ll notice this aspect from the very start, because you’ll need to complete a reverse mortgage counseling session as part of the HECM application process. (The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has a list of approved counseling agencies.) In the session, you (and any co-borrowers and/or family members who’d like to join) meet privately with a trained counselor who’ll explain exactly how a reverse mortgage works. They can answer questions you have, and even provide some unbiased input on your specific situation.
Although you’ll need to pay this fee on your own at the beginning of the process, don’t stress about it too much. Only nonprofit agencies are approved by HUD to provide counseling, and many receive grant funding to offer free counseling to those with limited financial means..
Reverse mortgage closing costs
Cost: Varies depending on home value but often between 2% and 5% of the loan amount.
A reverse mortgage comes with many closing costs, similar to those tied to other home lending products, like mortgages and home equity loans. With a reverse mortgage, you can choose to pay these charges upfront or have them added into your loan balance. But keep in mind that if you finance the closing costs into your loan, it’ll eat into your approved loan limit and you’ll have less access to money you can borrow later. It can also cause your loan balance to increase faster.
The exact closing costs for a reverse mortgage can vary depending on where you live, the requirements for your loan and the value of your home. Some fees are required as part of the HECM program, like the mortgage insurance, whereas others can be waived by the lender. In general, here’s what you can expect to pay, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau:

Origination fee: Up to $6,000 for HECM loans.
Upfront Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP): 2% of your principal limit (i.e., the max you can borrow)
Home appraisal: Varies by location but often between $450 and $600 (note that this usually is not rolled into the loan)
Credit report: $50
Flood certification: $20
Document fee: $150
Recording fee: $500
Courier fee: $50
Title insurance: $1,000
Pest inspection: $100
Survey fee: $250

Fees to pay after you take out your reverse mortgage
After you’ve secured a reverse mortgage, you’ll need to prepare for some ongoing expenses, as well.
As with closing costs, you can generally roll these expenses into the loan itself, although this will cause your balance to grow faster, leaving less money available later on. Some expenses aren’t related to your mortgage directly, but they are out-of-pocket costs you’ll need to consider in order to uphold the conditions of your reverse mortgage.
Annual Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP) (only for HECM loans)
Cost: 0.5% of your outstanding loan balance per year
The longer you stay in your home (a good thing, let’s be clear), the more your loan balance will grow. At some point, it’s even possible that your reverse mortgage balance could grow larger than your home is actually worth if interest accrues faster than your home appreciates. If that happens, you (or your heirs) won’t ever need to worry about paying back more than your home’s actual value because reverse mortgages are non-recourse loans.
That’s because your lender is covered by FHA insurance for the difference between your loan balance and your home’s actual value. That’s why you paid a mortgage insurance premium upfront, and continue to pay it, added to your loan balance. The longer you stay in your home, the greater the odds of your lender needing to use that insurance to cover any gaps between your loan balance and your home’s value.
Interest
Cost: 3.5% to 8.0%
Reverse mortgages also charge interest, which is added to your loan balance. This is a lender-imposed charge, and it’s one of the main reasons why it’s a good idea to shop around for reverse mortgage options before applying. If you choose a lender that charges a lower interest rate, your loan balance will grow at a slower rate over time, leaving more left over later on.
The range above is an example based on averages over the past few years. Your personal rate, though, will depend on the rate environment when you take out the loan, as well as factors like your age, loan type, home value and loan disbursement choice.
Servicing fees
Cost: $30 to $35 per month
While you’re comparing interest rates, you should also check whether a lender charges service fees. Some lenders add these to your loan balance each month. These fees help pay for the lender’s cost of doing business, such as mailing out loan statements and processing cash payments to you.
Payment plan changes
Cost: $20 to change payment plans
You can currently choose between three options for receiving your funds when you establish your reverse mortgage: a lump-sum payment, a line of credit or monthly installment payments. (You can also choose a combination of those methods.) Over time, your situation might change, and you might decide that a different payment method works better for you. If that’s the case, lenders may charge you a small fee of up to $20 to institute this change.
For example, let’s say you’ve been receiving a monthly installment payment, but you recently inherited some money and now no longer need it. You could opt at this point to switch to a line of credit instead, so that you retain the ability to borrow again in the future if needed.
Property taxes, insurance and home maintenance
Cost: Variable
Aside from not having to make monthly mortgage payments, one of the biggest benefits of a reverse mortgage is the option to roll most of your fees into the loan, too. For cash-strapped retirees, that’s a major perk.
But there are some expenses you’ll need to pay as a condition of the loan in order to remain in good standing. It’s wise to have a plan for how to pay these in advance, because if you fall behind, your lender can call the loan due or foreclose on your home. Here are the expenses you’ll need to keep up with:

Property taxes
Homeowners insurance
Flood insurance (if required)
Homeowners association fees
Home maintenance (enough to keep your home in “good repair”)

The cost of these vary greatly based on where you live, but the total can add up. As of 2025, these “hidden” costs of homeownership top $15,000 a year, on average, according to Zillow. The biggest share of that is a bevy of maintenance tasks. Even if you can cut back on some more elective maintenance items, like full-time lawncare, insurance premiums and property taxes typically increase over time, and so you’ll want to be sure you’ve considered how you’ll afford these.
Luckily, if you’ve already had a mortgage before, these are mostly expenses that you’re already used to paying. Plus, these costs ensure that your home remains comfortable and safe for you and whoever else comes next.
If you’re concerned about being able to afford the ongoing property costs, you can choose to use a Life Expectancy Set-Aside, or LESA. With a LESA, there’s a pool of funds from your reverse mortgage proceeds set aside to pay for property and insurance changes through the life of the loan. (Note that borrowers who have limited financial resources may be required to use a LESA to qualify for a reverse mortgage.)
Summary of reverse mortgage fees
Reverse mortgage fees do add to the total cost of the loan. But some fees can be negotiated or waived altogether, and most can be paid directly through the loan proceeds, which minimizes the upfront, out-of-pocket costs tied to a reverse mortgage. As with most financial products, your individual price tag will vary based on your lender and your financial situation.

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