If you're aiming to avoid risk while earning a return, certificates of deposit (CDs) are a good option for savers. Traditional CDs offer a guaranteed rate of return, but they come with one requirement: Money can't be withdrawn from the CD until its maturity date.

One type of alternative CD, however, is a callable CD, which can be closed by the issuer - not you, the depositor - before its maturity date and often features above-average interest rates. Callable CDs have disadvantages, too, so it's important to understand how they work.

Key takeaways

Callable CDs have the potential to earn higher interest rates than traditional CDs, but they come with the risk that the issuer can take back the CD before the maturity date.

If the bank takes back your callable CD early, you'll still receive its full principal and the interest earned up to that point.

The call option doesn't work both ways. As with traditional CDs, banks typically charge early withdrawal penalties for callable CDs when you need to access the funds early.

What is a callable CD?

A callable CD gives the bank or brokerage firm that offers it the ability to "call" (or "redeem") the CD earlier than its maturity date. The bank is more likely to take the CD back early if interest rates suddenly drop; in turn, the CD is less likely to be called if interest rates go up.

If the bank redeems your CD before it reaches maturity, you'll still receive your full principal and the interest it has earned up to that point. However, you won't earn all the interest you initially planned for and will have to reinvest somewhere else -- potentially at a lower rate.

The callable feature can only be enacted by the issuer. In other words, if you invest money in a callable CD, you are unable to access the funds early without incurring an early withdrawal penalty.

Callable CDs are less common than traditional CDs and may be harder to come by.

How do callable CDs work?

Callable CDs can be opened at a financial institution or brokerage firm, and you deposit money into them for a specified period of time. As a customer, you wait until the CD reaches maturity to withdraw or renew it. While you're solely focused on the maturity date, the issuer is also watching the call date - which represents the earliest time it can force the closure of the CD if necessary. If this happens, you won't actually lose money, as you'll receive your principal back along with any interest that's been earned to date. Why would an issuer call a CD? Likely because the interest rate environment has changed, and it no longer wants to pay you the rate you're currently receiving.

If you're shopping for a callable CD, be sure to think about these three considerations:

Make sure there aren't standard CDs (or high-yield savings accounts) that offer better rates.

Ensure the issuer is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC).

Check to see what the early withdrawal penalty is for the CD, since there's always the possibility you'll need to withdraw cash before the CD matures.

Know the tradeoff between the rate of a traditional CD versus the rate with a callable CD; if you're only earning slightly more with the callable option, you may be better off locking in the guaranteed return.

Example of a callable CD

Let's say you decide to deposit $15,000 in a five-year callable CD that earns interest at 4.5 percent annual percentage yield (APY). With your earning power, you should have $3,693 of earnings at the end of the term. After two years, however, the issuer decides to use its call option. You'll get back your principal, plus $1,380 worth of interest earnings, and you'll need to find another investing option.

How a callable CD differs from a traditional CD

A traditional CD is guaranteed to pay the set APY until the term expires. You promise to keep the money in the account until maturity, and the bank or credit union promises to pay you the same rate throughout the entire term. If you need to access your funds before the maturity date, you'll be subject to an early withdrawal penalty.

With a callable CD, the issuer gets more flexibility with the option to terminate the CD early, in which case you won't receive the full yield you would've received if the CD were allowed to reach maturity. A bank that offers callable CDs typically pays higher yields on them than on its traditional CDs. The higher APYs are offered because of the risk that the bank may terminate the CD early. Like traditional CDs, callable CDs usually carry early withdrawal penalties.

Maturity date vs. callable date

The maturity date is when the certificate of deposit reaches the end of its term. For example, a five-year certificate of deposit opened on September 1, 2024 will mature on September 1, 2029.

The callable date refers to the date when the issuer has the right to close out a CD earlier than its maturity date. There is typically a non-call period, which prevents the issuer from calling a CD too early (typically six months to five years).

If you're thinking about opening a callable CD, ask about the callable date to know when the issuer can decide that time's up.

Pros and cons of callable CDs

FAQs about callable CDs

Are callable CDs FDIC-insured?Like traditional CDs, callable CDs are FDIC-insured, as long as they're with an FDIC-insured bank. The FDIC insures up to $250,000 per depositor, per FDIC-insured bank, per ownership category. This guarantees that depositors' money is safe, as long as it's within the limits and guidelines.

Who are callable CDs best suited for?Callable CDs are suitable for investors who prefer a guaranteed rate, but know that the CD could be recalled early by the bank. It's best for anyone opening a callable CD to have an alternative plan for investing the money should the bank take the CD back early.

Can you lose money on a callable CD?No. Your principal deposit is not at risk in an FDIC-insured CD - as long as you're within FDIC limits and you don't withdraw the funds prior to maturity. The only real risk is that you might be forced to take the money back - along with your to-date interest earnings - earlier than expected and have to find somewhere to invest it.

Bottom line

Callable CDs may be a good option for low-risk investors who are looking to earn higher returns on a CD. However, there's a chance the CD will be redeemed before it reaches maturity, which means you're going to need to feel comfortable finding a new place to find a similar yield. You won't risk losing your original investment and any interest earned to date, though.

There are other alternative CD types to explore, as well, such as no-penalty CDs, which allow you to withdraw the money early without paying a fee.