Chapter 02 · Beat inflation
US savings rate vs inflation
The real return on US savings (savings rate minus inflation) was -3.33% in September 2026. All figures, updated daily from official sources.
Avg. savings rate0.38%October 2026
Inflation3.7%September 2026
Real savings return-3.33%September 2026
Federal funds effective rate3.88%2026-11-05
US 10-year Treasury yield4.84%2026-11-05
- US national average savings rate
- US CPI inflation (CPI-U, year over year)
- Federal funds effective rate
Last 24 months
| Month | US national average savings rate | US national average 12-month CD rate | US CPI inflation (CPI-U, year over year) | Federal funds effective rate | US 10-year Treasury yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 2026 | – | – | – | 3.88% | 4.84% |
| October 2026 | 0.38% | 1.76% | – | 3.88% | 4.94% |
| September 2026 | 0.37% | 1.73% | 3.70% | 3.88% | 5.29% |
| August 2026 | 0.38% | 1.71% | 3.40% | 3.63% | 4.75% |
| July 2026 | 0.38% | 1.68% | 3.40% | 3.63% | 4.75% |
| June 2026 | 0.38% | 1.65% | 3.50% | 3.63% | 4.44% |
| May 2026 | 0.38% | 1.55% | 4.20% | 3.62% | 4.45% |
| April 2026 | 0.38% | 1.53% | 3.80% | 3.64% | 4.40% |
| March 2026 | 0.39% | 1.52% | 3.30% | 3.64% | 4.30% |
| February 2026 | 0.39% | 1.55% | 2.40% | 3.64% | 3.97% |
| January 2026 | 0.39% | 1.61% | 2.40% | 3.64% | 4.26% |
| December 2025 | 0.39% | 1.63% | 2.70% | 3.64% | 4.18% |
| November 2025 | 0.40% | 1.64% | 2.70% | 3.89% | 4.02% |
| October 2025 | 0.40% | 1.68% | – | 3.86% | 4.11% |
| September 2025 | 0.40% | 1.70% | 3.00% | 4.09% | 4.16% |
| August 2025 | 0.39% | 1.76% | 2.90% | 4.33% | 4.23% |
| July 2025 | 0.38% | 1.63% | 2.70% | 4.33% | 4.37% |
| June 2025 | 0.38% | 1.62% | 2.70% | 4.33% | 4.24% |
| May 2025 | 0.42% | 1.75% | 2.40% | 4.33% | 4.41% |
| April 2025 | 0.41% | 1.77% | 2.30% | 4.33% | 4.17% |
| March 2025 | 0.41% | 1.78% | 2.40% | 4.33% | 4.23% |
| February 2025 | 0.41% | 1.80% | 2.80% | 4.33% | 4.24% |
| January 2025 | 0.41% | 1.82% | 3.00% | 4.33% | 4.58% |
| December 2024 | 0.42% | 1.83% | 2.90% | 4.33% | 4.58% |
Sources and definitions
- US national average savings rate: FDIC National Rates (via FRED series SNDR)
- US national average 12-month CD rate: FDIC National Rates (via FRED series NDR12MCD)
- US CPI inflation (CPI-U, year over year): BLS CPI-U, not seasonally adjusted (via FRED series CPIAUCNS), 12-month change
- Federal funds effective rate: Federal Reserve (via FRED series DFF)
- US 10-year Treasury yield: Federal Reserve H.15 (via FRED series DGS10)
Frequently asked questions
Is the US savings rate higher than inflation?
In September 2026 the average savings rate was 0.37% and inflation 3.7%, a real return of -3.33%.
What does a 12-month CD pay on average?
1.76% in October 2026 (FDIC National Rates (via FRED series NDR12MCD)).
Next · chapter 03
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