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Q: What is a Cash Account?

A cash account is an account with a brokerage firm that requires investors to purchase securities using the money they have available in their account at the time of settlement.

Q: Should You Choose a Margin Account or a Cash Account?

Cash accounts may be a better choice for beginner investors and long-term investors. For investors interested in day trading, margin accounts may be a great choice. Margin account holders can borrow money to withdraw to pay for any life expenses that need to be paid off in a rush.

Oct

2023

What is a Cash Account? Margin vs Cash Account

Cash Account vs Margin Account: Key Differences

By Laurel Tincher | Growing Wealth, invest, Investing | Comments Off

When opening a brokerage account to invest in securities, investors can choose between a margin account or a cash account. The main difference between the two accounts is that with a margin account an investor can borrow from their broker, whereas with a cash account, they can’t.

There are reasons for choosing either account, and it’s important for investors to understand them both in order to make the best decision for their own financial goals.

What Is a Cash Account?

A cash account is an investment account with a brokerage firm that requires investors to purchase securities using the cash balance in that account at the time of settlement. With a cash account, investors can’t borrow money from the broker, and they can’t take short positions on margin.

If they don’t have cash available they can also sell securities in their account to purchase different ones. Investors have two business days to pay for securities they buy with their cash account, according to the Federal Reserve’s Regulation T.

How Does a Cash Account Work?

Cash accounts allow both institutional and retail investors to buy securities using whatever amount of money they put into their account. For instance, if they deposit $3,000 into their account, they can purchase $3,000 worth of securities.

Pros and Cons of a Cash Account

The main advantage of a cash account is that investors can’t go into debt to their broker using one, as they might with a margin account. They have no borrowing ability, and thus, can only lose what they have deposited in cash. Using a cash account can provide a much simpler experience for beginner investors as well.

As for the downsides, a cash account does not allow investors to utilize leverage (as they would with a margin account) to potentially generate outsized gains. Investors are more or less tied to their cash balance, and may be limited in what they can do without using margin.

Cash Account Regulations to Be Aware Of

There are several regulations that investors should keep in mind when it comes to cash accounts, pertaining to having enough cash in their account to pay for securities.

Cash Liquidation Violations

Transactions can take a few days to settle, so investors should always sell securities before purchasing new ones if they are using that money for the purchase. If there is not enough cash in the account to pay for a purchase, this is called a “cash liquidation violation.”

Good Faith Violation

A Good Faith Violation occurs when an investor buys a security, buys another security, then sells it to cover the first purchase when they don’t have enough cash in their account to cover the purchase.

Free Riding Violation

In this type of violation, an investor doesn’t have cash in their account, and they attempt to purchase a security by selling the same security.

Benefit of a Cash Account: Lending

One benefit of cash accounts is that investors can choose to lend out money from their account to hedge funds, short sellers, and other types of investors. The account holder can earn interest or income from lending, known as securities lending or shares lending.

If a cash account holder wants to lend out cash or shares, they can let their broker know, and the broker will provide them with a quote on what borrowers will pay them. Securities that earn the highest interest rates are those in low supply and high demand for borrowers.

These tend to be securities with a lower trading volume or market capitalization. If an investor lends out shares of securities, they can earn interest while continuing to hold the security and earn on it as it increases in value. Account holders may need to meet minimum lending requirements.

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What Is a Margin Account and How Does It Work?

Using a margin account, an investor can deposit money but they can also borrow money from their broker. This allows investors to use leverage to buy larger amounts of securities than a cash account allows, but if the value of securities goes down, the investor will owe the broker additional money and lose the initial amount of funds they deposited into the account.

Margin accounts also charge interest, so any securities purchased need to increase above the interest amount for the investor to start seeing profits. Different brokers charge different interest rates, so it’s a good idea for investors to compare before choosing an account.

Usually there is no deadline to repay a margin loan, but the debt accrues interest each month, so the longer an investor waits the more they owe. The securities held in the account act as collateral for the margin loan, so if needed they can be used to pay it off.

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Other requirements generally associated with margin accounts include:

Minimum Margin

Investors must deposit a minimum amount of cash into their account before they can start investing and borrowing. Each broker may have a different minimum, but the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) requires investors to have either $2,000 or 100% of the purchase amount of any securities the investor wants to buy on margin, whichever amount is lower.

Initial Margin

Usually investors can only borrow up to 50% of the purchase amount of securities they want to buy. For example, if an investor with $3,000 in their account, can borrow $3,000, allowing them to purchase $6,000 worth of securities.

Maintenance Margin

Both before and after purchasing securities, investors must hold a certain amount in their account as collateral. The investor must own at least 25% of the assets (cash or securities) in their account when they have taken out a margin loan. If the amount in the account dips below this level, the investor may receive a margin call, requiring them to either deposit more cash into their account or sell some of their securities. This could occur if the investor withdraws too much from their account or if the value of their investments decreases. This is one of the main risks of margin accounts.

Margin Account vs Cash Account

There are some similarities between margin accounts and cash accounts, but there are some key differences in terms of the monetary requirements for investors to consider when choosing which type of brokerage account works best for them. The type of account you choose will have an impact on the amount of money you’re able to invest, and the risk level that accompanies it.

The accounts can be equated to a debit card vs. a credit card. A debit card requires the user to have funds available in their account to pay for anything they buy, while a credit card allows a user to spend and pay back the expense later.

Similarities Between Margin and Cash Accounts

Both are brokerage accounts that allow investors to purchase securities, bonds, funds, stocks, and other assets in addition to holding cash. (You typically can’t have a margin account in a retirement account such as an IRA or Roth IRA.)

Differences Between Margin and Cash Accounts

Margin accounts allow investors to borrow from their broker and typically require a minimum deposit to get started investing, while cash accounts don’t. However, margin accounts usually don’t come with additional fees.

On the other hand, cash account holders may only purchase securities with cash or settled funds, and cash accounts don’t allow short selling, or ‘shorting’ stocks.

Should You Choose a Margin Account or a Cash Account?

Although being able to borrow money with a margin account has benefits in terms of potential gains, it is also risky. For this reason, cash accounts may be a better choice for beginner investors.

Cash accounts may also be better for long-term investors, since investments in a margin account may go down and force the investor to have to sell some of them or deposit cash to maintain a high enough balance in their account. This could result in an investor being forced to sell a security at a loss and missing its potential price recovery.

With a cash account, the value of securities can rise and fall, and the investor doesn’t have to deposit any additional funds into their account or sell securities at a loss. Investors may also choose a cash account if they want to “set it and forget it,” meaning they invest in securities that they don’t want to keep an eye on all the time since they will never owe the broker more money than they invested – as discussed.

The risk level on a cash account will always be lower than with a margin account, and there are less risky ways to increase returns than by using margin.

On the other hand, for investors interested in day trading, margin accounts may be a great choice, since they allow the investor to double their purchasing power. They also allow investors to short trade. Margin account holders can borrow money to withdraw to pay for any life expenses that need to be paid off in a rush.

Since there is no deadline to pay off the loan, the investor can pay it back when they can, unless the value of the stocks fall. Traders can also borrow money to buy stocks when the market is down or to prevent paying capital gains taxes, but this requires more experience and market knowledge.

Margin accounts provide flexibility for investors, who can choose to use them in exactly the same way as a cash account.

💡 Quick Tip: How to manage potential risk factors in a self-directed investment account? Doing your research and employing strategies like dollar-cost averaging and diversification may help mitigate financial risk when trading stocks.

The Takeaway

The main difference between cash accounts and margin accounts is that margin accounts allow investors to borrow money from their brokers, extending their trading abilities and the use of leverage as a part of their strategy. This can have advantages and disadvantages, and depending on their specific strategy and goals, investors should consider everything before deciding to use one or the other.

Both cash and margin accounts are commonplace in the investing space, and investors are likely to run across both – and figure out which is a best fit for their strategy. It may be beneficial to speak with a financial professional for guidance.

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For a limited time, opening and funding an Active Invest account gives you the opportunity to get up to $1,000 in the stock of your choice.

FAQ

Can you trade options on cash and margin accounts?

It will depend on the specific broker, but there are some types of options that require a margin account to trade. An example would be futures contracts – but again, it’ll depend on the specific brokerage or platform.

Should a beginner use a cash or margin account?

It may be better for a beginner to start out using a cash account to invest, as they’re simpler and involve less risk than a margin account. If a beginner uses a margin account without a proper understanding of margin, they could find themselves owing their broker money.

Can you have a cash account and a margin account at the same time?

Yes, you can have cash and margin accounts at the same time, often at the same brokerage. It’s possible to also have different types of accounts at different brokerages or on different investment platforms.

Photo credit: iStock/PeopleImages

SoFi Invest®

INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE

SoFi Invest encompasses two distinct companies, with various products and services offered to investors as described below: Individual customer accounts may be subject to the terms applicable to one or more of these platforms.
1) Automated Investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser (“SoFi Wealth“). Brokerage services are provided to SoFi Wealth LLC by SoFi Securities LLC.
2) Active Investing and brokerage services are provided by SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA (www.finra.org)/SIPC(www.sipc.org). Clearing and custody of all securities are provided by APEX Clearing Corporation.
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Neither the Investment Advisor Representatives of SoFi Wealth, nor the Registered Representatives of SoFi Securities are compensated for the sale of any product or service sold through any SoFi Invest platform.

*Borrow at 11%. Utilizing a margin loan is generally considered more appropriate for experienced investors as there are additional costs and risks associated. It is possible to lose more than your initial investment when using margin. Please see SoFi.com/wealth/assets/documents/brokerage-margin-disclosure-statement.pdf for detailed disclosure information.
Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Claw Promotion: Customer must fund their Active Invest account with at least $25 within 30 days of opening the account. Probability of customer receiving $1,000 is 0.028%. See full terms and conditions.

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Oct

2023

When Can You Withdraw From Your 401(k)?

By LeeMarie Kennedy | Growing Wealth, invest, Investing, Preparing for Retirement | Comments Off

If you have a 401(k), odds are, you can withdraw money from it–but there are rules, penalties, and taxes to take into account, depending on several factors. Even so, if you’ve diligently contributed to a 401(k) fund, and watched your balance grow,, you may have found yourself wondering “When can I withdraw from my 401(k) account?”

It’s a common question, and some key things to consider include whether you’re still working or already retired, if you qualify for a hardship withdrawal, whether it makes sense to take out a 401(k) loan, or rollover your 401(k) into another account.

What Are The Rules For Withdrawing From a 401(k)?

Because 401(k) accounts are retirement savings vehicles, there are restrictions on exactly when investors can withdraw 401(k) funds. Typically, account holders can withdraw money from their 401(k) without penalties when they reach the age of 59½. If they decide to take out funds before that age, they may face penalty fees for early withdrawal.

That said, there are some circumstances in which people can take an early withdrawal from their 401(k) account before 59 ½. Each plan should have a description that clearly states if and when it allows for disbursements, hardship distributions, 401(k) loans, or the option to cash out the 401(k).

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What Age Can You Withdraw From 401(k) Without Penalty?

The rules about the penalties for 401(k) withdrawals depend on age, with younger workers generally facing higher penalties for withdrawals, especially if they’re not yet retired.

The IRS provision known as the “Rule of 55” allows account holders to withdraw from their 401(k) or 403(b) without any penalties if they’re 55 or older and leaving their job in the same calendar year.

In the case of public safety employees like firefighters and police officers, the age to withdraw penalty-free under the same provision is 50.

Under the Age of 55

When 401(k) account holders are under the age of 55 and still employed at the company that sponsors their plan, they have two options for withdrawing from their 401(k) without penalties:

1. Taking out a 401(k) loan.

2. Taking out a 401(k) hardship withdrawal.

If they’re no longer employed at the company, account holders can roll their funds into a new employer’s 401(k) plan or possibly an IRA.

Between Ages 55–59 1/2

The Rule of 55, as previously mentioned, means that most 401(k) plans allow for penalty-free retirements starting at age 55, with the exception of public service officials who are eligible as early as 50. Still, there are a few guidelines to consider around this particular IRS provision:

1. Account holders who retire the year before they turn 55 are subject to a 10% early withdrawal penalty tax.

2. If account holders roll their 401(k) plans over into an IRA account, the provision no longer applies. A traditional IRA account holder cannot withdraw funds penalty-free until they are 59 ½.

3. Once a 401(k) account holder reaches 59 ½, access to their funds depends on whether they are retired or still employed.

After Age 73

In addition to penalties for withdrawing funds too soon, you can also face penalties if you take money out of a retirement plan too late. When you turn 73, you must withdraw a certain amount, known as a “required minimum distribution (RMD),” every year, or face a penalty of up to 50% of that distribution.

Withdrawing 401(k) Funds When Already Retired

If a 401(k) plan holder is retired and still has funds in their 401(k) account, they can withdraw them penalty-free at age 59 ½. The same age rules apply to retirees who rolled their 401(k) funds into an IRA.

Withdrawing 401(k) Funds While Still Employed

If a 401(k) plan holder is still employed, they can access the funds from a 401(k) account with a previous employer once they turn 59 ½. However, they may not have access to their 401(k) funds at the company where they currently work.

401(k) Hardship Withdrawals

Under certain circumstances, 401(k) plans allow for hardship withdrawals or early distributions. If a plan allows for this, the criteria for eligibility should appear in plan documents.

Hardship distributions are typically only offered penalty-free in the case of an “immediate and heavy financial need,” and the amount disbursed is not more than what’s necessary to meet that need. The IRS has designated certain situations that can qualify for hardship distributions, including:

• Certain medical expenses

• Purchasing a principal residence

• Tuition and educational expenses

• Preventing eviction or foreclosure on a primary residence

• Funeral costs

• Repair expenses for damage to a principal place of residence

The terms of the plan govern the specific amounts eligible for hardship distributions. In some cases, account holders who take hardship distributions may not be able to contribute to their 401(k) account for six months.

As far as penalties go, hardship distributions may be included in the account holder’s gross income at tax time, which could affect their tax bill. And if they’re not yet 59 ½, their distribution may be subject to an additional 10% tax penalty for early withdrawal.

Taking Out a 401(k) Loan

Some retirement plans allow participants to take loans directly from their 401(k) account. If the borrower fulfills the terms of the loan and pays the money back in the agreed upon timeframe (usually within five years), they do not have to pay additional taxes on it.

That said, the IRS caps the amount someone can borrow from an eligible plan at either $50,000, or half of the amount they have saved in their 401(k)—whichever is less. Also, borrowers will likely pay an interest rate that’s one or two points higher than the prime.

IRA Rollover Bridge Loan

The IRS allows for short-term tax and penalty-free rollover loans, assuming you follow a 60-day rule. In short, the 60-day rollover rule requires that all funds withdrawn from a retirement account be deposited into a new retirement account within 60 days of their distribution, so, within that 60-day window, you can use the money as a bridge loan.

401(k) Withdrawals vs Loans

While most financial professionals would likely tell you that it’s wise to keep your retirement funds where they are for as long as possible, withdrawals and loans are possible. If you do find yourself looking at either withdrawing or borrowing money from your retirement accounts, it may be best to use the loan option as you won’t get dinged on taxes–and assuming that you can pay the money back within the given time frame.

But again, this is likely a decision that should be made with the help of a financial professional.

Cashing Out a 401(k)

Cashing out an old 401(k) occurs when a participant liquidates their account. While it might sound appealing, particularly if a plan holder needs money right now, cashing out a 401(k) can have some drawbacks. If the plan holder is younger than 59 ½, the withdrawn funds will be subject to ordinary income taxes and an additional 10% penalty tax. That means that a significant portion of their 401(k) would go directly to the IRS.

Rolling Over a 401(k)

Instead of cashing out an old 401(k), account holders may choose to roll over their 401(k) into an IRA. In many cases, this strategy allows participants to continue saving for retirement, avoid unnecessary penalty fees, and reduce their total number of retirement accounts.

The Takeaway

While it may be possible to withdraw money from a 401(k) at almost any time, there are things to consider, such as taxes and penalties. Certain factors like age, employment status and hardship eligibility determine whether you can make a withdrawal from your 401(k).

In cases where plan participants do not meet age requirements for withdrawing 401(k) funds penalty-free, they can still take out a 401(k) loan, cash out a pre-existing 401(k) plan, or rollover their 401(k) into a different retirement account. As always, though, it may be best to discuss your options with a financial professional.

For a limited time, opening and funding an Active Invest account gives you the opportunity to get up to $1,000 in the stock of your choice.

FAQ

Can you take out 401(k) funds if you only need the money short term?

It’s possible, and one way that some people “borrow” from their 401(k)s for short periods of time is by utilizing the 60-day rollover window. While you’d need to open a new retirement account, this rollover period can allow you to borrow retirement funds tax and penalty-free for a short period of time.

How long does it take to cash out a 401(k) after leaving a job?

The period of time between when you leave a job and when you can withdraw money from your 401(k) will depend on your employer and the company that administers your account, but probably won’t take longer than two weeks.

What are other alternatives to taking an early 401(k) withdrawal?

Perhaps the most obvious alternative to taking an early 401(k) withdrawal is to take out a loan from your retirement account instead, which allows savers to repay the money over time without penalty.

SoFi Invest®

INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE

SoFi Invest encompasses two distinct companies, with various products and services offered to investors as described below: Individual customer accounts may be subject to the terms applicable to one or more of these platforms.
1) Automated Investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser (“SoFi Wealth“). Brokerage services are provided to SoFi Wealth LLC by SoFi Securities LLC.
2) Active Investing and brokerage services are provided by SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA (www.finra.org)/SIPC(www.sipc.org). Clearing and custody of all securities are provided by APEX Clearing Corporation.
For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest platforms described above please visit SoFi.com/legal.
Neither the Investment Advisor Representatives of SoFi Wealth, nor the Registered Representatives of SoFi Securities are compensated for the sale of any product or service sold through any SoFi Invest platform.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Claw Promotion: Customer must fund their Active Invest account with at least $25 within 30 days of opening the account. Probability of customer receiving $1,000 is 0.028%. See full terms and conditions.

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Oct

2023

A Guide to Corporate Bonds and How They Work

What Are Corporate Bonds?

By Austin Kilham | Growing Wealth, invest, Investing | Comments Off

Bonds can make up an important part of a diversified portfolio, but there can be diversity within bonds as well. For instance, corporate bonds are one type of debt security that may offer higher returns than government bonds, but they might also come with higher.

What Is a Corporate Bond?

A bond is a debt security that functions much like an IOU. Governments and companies issue bonds as a way to raise capital. For example, a state might issue bonds to build a new bridge, and the U.S. Treasury issues Treasury Bills (T-Bills) to cover its expenses.

Corporations also sell bonds to raise capital. They might use the money raised through these financial securities to reinvest in their business, pay down debts, or even buy other companies.

When investors buy corporate bonds, they are loaning a company money for a set period of time. In exchange, the company agrees to pay interest throughout the agreed upon period. When this time is up and the bond reaches “maturity,” the issuer will return the principal. If a company can’t make interest payments or return the principal at the end of the period, they default on the bond.

How Do Corporate Bonds Work?

Bonds are a huge part of the broader securities markets. U.S. fixed income markets comprise 41.3% of global securities. To understand the bond market and how bonds work, you need to know a few important terms:

• Issuer: The entity using bonds to raise money.

• Par Value: Also known as the nominal or face value of the bond, or the principal, the par value is the amount the bond issuers promise to repay when the bond reaches maturity. This amount does not fluctuate over the life of the bond.

• Price: A bond’s price is the amount an investor pays for a bond in the market. This amount can change based on market factors.

• Coupon rate: Also known as coupon yield, the coupon rate is the annual interest rate paid by the bond issuers based on the bond’s par value.

• Maturity: The date at which a bond’s issuer must repay the original bond value to the bondholder.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Corporate Bonds

While corporate bonds can add a lot of benefits to a portfolio, before investing, it’s important to consider the drawbacks, as well.

Benefits	Drawbacks
Bonds, including corporate bonds, can be an important part of a diversified portfolio.	Bonds may offer lower returns than other securities, such as stocks.
MMany investors consider corporate bonds to be a riskier investment than government bonds, such as U.S. Treasuries. As a result, they tend to offer higher interest rates.	If the issuer cannot make interest payments or repay the par value when the bond reaches maturity, the bond will go into default. If an issuer goes bankrupt, bondholders may have some claim on the company’s assets and possibly be able to recoup some of their losses.
Bonds are relatively liquid, meaning it is easy to buy and sell them on the market.	Some bonds are “callable”, which means issuers can choose to pay them back early. When that happens, bond holders won’t earn as much interest and will have to find a new place to reinvest.

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Types of Corporate Bonds

There are three main ways to categorize corporate bonds:

Duration

This category reflects the bond’s maturity, which may range from one to 30 years. There are three maturity lengths:

• Short-term: Maturity of within three years.

• Medium-term: Maturity of four to 10 years.

• Long-term: Maturity of more than 10 years. Longer-term bonds typically offer the highest interest rates.

Risk

Every once in a while, a corporation defaults its bonds. The likeliness of default impacts a company’s creditworthiness and investors should consider it before purchasing a bond. Bond ratings, assigned by credit rating agencies, can help investors understand this risk.

Bonds can be rated as:

• Investment grade: Companies and bonds rated investment grade are unlikely to default. High-rated corporate bonds typically pay a slightly higher rate than government securities.

• Non-investment grade: Non-investment grade bonds are more likely to default. Because they are riskier, non-investment grade bonds tend to offer a higher interest rate and are often known as high-yield bonds.

Interest Payment

Investors may also categorize bonds based on the type of interest rate they offer.

• Fixed rate: With a fixed rate bond, the coupon rate stays the same over the life of the bond.

• Floating rate: Bonds that offer floating rates readjust interest rates periodically, such as every six months. The floating rate depends on market interest rates.

• Zero-coupon bonds: These bonds have no interest rate. Instead, when a bond reaches maturity, the issuer makes a single payment that’s higher than purchase price.

• Convertible bonds: Convertible bonds act like regular bonds with a coupon payment and a promise to repay the principal. However, they also give bondholders the option to convert their bonds into company stock according to a given ratio.

Difference Between Corporate Bonds and Stocks

Bonds differ from other types of investments in a number of important ways. When investors buy stocks, they are buying ownership shares in the company. Share prices may fluctuate depending on the markets and the health of the company. If the company does well, the stock price may rise, and the investor can sell their shares at a profit. Additionally, some companies share profits with their shareholders in the form of dividends.

When an investor purchases a corporate bond, on the other hand, they do not own a piece of the company. The bondholder is only entitled to interest and the principal. Those amounts don’t change based on company profits or the stock price. When a company goes bankrupt, bondholders have priority over stockholders when it comes to claims on the issuer’s assets.

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How to Buy Corporate Bonds

Investors can buy individual bonds through brokerage firms or banks. Corporations typically issue them in increments of $1,000. Much like investing in an initial public offering, it can be tricky for retail investors to get in on newly issued bonds. Investors may need a relationship with the organization that’s managing the offering. However, investors can also purchase individual bonds on the secondary market.

Another way to gain access to the bond market is by purchasing bond funds, including mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that invest in bonds. These funds can be a good way to diversify a bond portfolio as they typically hold a diverse basket of bonds that tracks a bond index or a certain sector.

Investors can purchase bonds through a traditional brokerage account or an Individual Retirement Account. They may be able to purchase bond funds through their 401(k), and possibly individual bonds through a brokerage window within the 401(k).

The Takeaway

Before buying bonds, it’s important that individuals consider how they’ll fit in with their financial goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon. For example, if you’re working toward retirement and have decades to save, you may want a portfolio that’s mostly stocks since stocks generally tend to outperform bonds in the long run. If you’re close to your goal — or have a low appetite for risk — you may want to stick with bonds.

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Photo credit: iStock/Prostock-Studio

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

SoFi Invest®

INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE

Oct

2023

What Are RSUs & How to Handle Them

By Ashley Kilroy | Budgeting & Goals, Investing, Terminology | No Comments

Restricted stock units, or RSUs, are a form of equity compensation offered to employees of a company. They’re similar to, but distinct from, employee stock options (ESOs).

You are probably pretty familiar with many of the standard offers in a job compensation package. When receiving an offer letter from a potential new employer, employees could typically receive a salary figure, paid vacation and sick day allowances, some type of health insurance, and, possibly, a retirement plan. RSUs and ESOs can be yet another part of that package.

What Is a Restricted Stock Unit?

Restricted stock units are a type of compensation offered to employees in the form of company stock. RSUs are not technically stock, though; they are a specific amount of promised stock shares that the employee will receive at a future date, or across many future dates.

Restricted stock units are a type of financial incentive for employees, similar to a bonus, since employees typically receive promised stock shares only when they complete specific tasks or achieve significant work milestones or anniversaries. Again, RSUs are different from employee stock options, too.

RSU Advantages and Disadvantages

Among the key advantages of RSUs are, as mentioned, that they provide an incentive for employees to remain with a company. For employers, other advantages include relatively small administrative costs, and a delay in share dilution.

As for disadvantages, RSUs can be included in income calculations for an employee’s income taxes (more on this below), and they don’t provide dividends to employees, either. They also don’t come with voting rights, which some employees may not like.

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Know the Dates: Grant and Vesting

In the case of RSU stock, there are two important dates to keep in mind: the grant date and the vesting date.

Grant Date

A grant date refers to the exact day a company pledges to grant an employee company stock.

Employees don’t own granted company stock starting on the grant date; rather, they must wait for the stock shares to vest before claiming full ownership and deciding to sell, hold, or diversify stock earnings.

Vesting Date

The vesting date refers to the exact day that the promised company stock shares vest Employees receive their RSUs according to a vesting schedule that is determined by the employer. Factors such as employment length and specific job performance goals can affect a vesting schedule.

The employer that wants to incentivize a long-term commitment to the company, for example, might tailor the RSU vesting schedule to reflect the employee’s tenure at the company. In other words, RSUs would only vest after an employee has pledged their time and hard work to the company for a certain number of years, or the vested percentage of total RSUs could increase over time.

If there are tangible milestones that the employee must achieve, the employer could organize the vesting schedule around those specific accomplishments, too.

RSU Vesting Examples

Typically, the vesting schedule of RSU stock occurs on either a cliff schedule or a graded schedule. If you leave your position at the company before your RSU shares vest, you generally forfeit the right to collect on the remaining restricted stock units.

On a graded vesting schedule, an employee would keep the amount of RSUs already vested, but would forfeit leftover shares. If that same employee is on a cliff vesting schedule and their shares have not yet vested, then they no longer have the right to their restricted stock units.

Cliff Schedule

A cliff schedule means that 100% of the RSUs vest at once. For example, if you receive 4,000 RSUs at the beginning of your job, on a cliff vesting schedule you would receive all 4,000 on one date.

Graded Vesting Schedule

With a graded schedule, you would only receive a portion of those 4,000 RSUs at a time. For example, you could receive 25% of your RSUs once you’ve hit your two-year company anniversary, 25% more after five years at the company, 25% more after seven years, and the final 25% after 10 years.

Alternatively, a graded vesting schedule might include varying intervals between vesting dates. For example, you could receive 25% of your 4,000 total RSUs after three years at the company, and then the remainder of your shares (3,000) could vest every month over the next three years at 100 per month.

Are Restricted Stock Units Risky?

As with any investment, there is always a level of uncertainty associated with RSUs. Even companies that are rapidly growing and have appreciating stock values can collapse at any time. While you do not have to spend money to purchase RSUs, the stock will eventually become part of your portfolio (as long as you stay with the company until they vest), and their value could change significantly over time.

If you end up owning a lot of stock in your company through your RSUs, you may also face concentration risk. Changes to your company can not only impact your salary but the RSU stock performance. Therefore, if the company is struggling, you could lose value in your portfolio at the same time that your income becomes less secure.

Diversifying your portfolio can help you minimize the risk of overexposure to your company. A good rule of thumb is to consider diversifying your holdings if more than 10% of your net worth is tied up with your company. Holding over 10% of your assets with your firm exposes you to more risk of loss. When calculating how much exposure you have, include assets such as:

• RSUs

• Stock

• Other equity-based compensation

Are Restricted Stock Units Reported on My W-2?

Yes, restricted stock units are reported on your W-2.

The biggest difference between restricted stock units and employee stock options lies in the way that the Internal Revenue Service taxes them. While you owe tax on ESOs the moment you decide to exercise your options, RSU stock taxation happens at the time of vesting. Essentially, the IRS considers restricted stock units supplemental income.

RSU Tax Implications

When your RSUs vest, your employer will withhold taxes on them, just as they withhold taxes on your income during every pay period. The market value of the shares at the time of vesting appears on your W-2, meaning that you must pay normal payroll taxes, such as Social Security and Medicare, on them.

In some cases, your employer will withhold a smaller percentage on your RSU stock than what they withhold on your wages. What’s more, this taxation is only at the federal level and doesn’t account for any state taxes.

Since vested RSUs are considered supplemental income, they could bump you up to a higher income tax bracket and make you subject to higher taxes. If your company does not withhold enough money at the time of vesting, you may have to make up the difference at tax time, to either the IRS or your state.

So, it might be beneficial to plan ahead and come up with a strategy to manage the consequences of your RSUs on your taxes. Talking to a tax or financial professional before or right after your RSU shares vest could help you anticipate future complications and set yourself up for success come tax season.

How to Handle RSUs

If you work for a public company, that means that you can decide whether to sell or hold them. There are advantages to both options, depending on your individual financial profile.

Sell

Selling your vested RSU stock shares might help you minimize the investment risk of stock concentration. A concentrated stock position occurs when you invest a substantial portion of your assets in one investment or sector, rather than spreading out your investments and diversifying your portfolio.

Even if you are confident your company will continue to grow, stock market volatility means there’s always a risk that you could lose a portion of your portfolio in the event of a sudden downturn.

There is added risk when concentration occurs with RSU stock, since both your regular income and your stock depend on the success of the same company. If you lose your job and your company’s stock starts to depreciate at the same time, you could find yourself in a tight spot.

Selling some or all of your vested RSU shares and investing the cash elsewhere in different types of investments could minimize your overall risk.

Another option is to sell your vested RSU shares and keep the cash proceeds.. This might be a good choice if you have a financial goal that requires a large sum of money right away, like a car or house down payment, or maybe you’d like to pay off a big chunk of debt. You can also sell some of your RSUs to cover the tax bill that they create.

Hold

Holding onto your vested RSU shares might be a good strategy if you believe your company’s stock value will increase, especially in the short term. By holding out for a better price in the future, you could receive higher proceeds when you sell later, and grow the value of your portfolio in the meantime.

RSUs and Private Companies

How to handle RSUs at private companies can be more complicated, since there’s not always a liquid market where you can buy or sell your shares. Some private companies also use a “double-trigger” vesting schedule, in which shares don’t vest until the company has a liquidity event, such as an initial public offering or a buyout.

The Takeaway

RSUs are similar to stock options for employees. Your specific financial goals, the amount of debt you may hold, the other types of investments you might be making, are all factors to consider when weighing the pros and cons of selling or holding your RSU shares.

Perhaps the most pertinent thing to keep in mind, though, is that everyone’s financial situation is different – as so is their respective investing strategy. If you have RSU shares, it may be worthwhile to speak with a financial professional for advice and guidance.

For a limited time, opening and funding an Active Invest account gives you the opportunity to get up to $1,000 in the stock of your choice.

FAQ

What is the difference between restricted stock units and stock options?

Restricted shares or restricted stock is stock that is under some sort of sales restriction, whereas stock options grant the holder the choice as to whether or not to buy a stock.

Do restricted stock units carry voting rights?

Restricted stock units do not carry voting rights, but the shares or stock itself may carry voting rights once the units vest.

How do RSUs work at private vs public companies?

One example of how RSUs may differ from private rather than public companies is in the vesting requirements. While public companies may have a single vesting requirement for RSUs, private companies may have two or more.

SoFi Invest®

INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE

SoFi Invest encompasses two distinct companies, with various products and services offered to investors as described below: Individual customer accounts may be subject to the terms applicable to one or more of these platforms.
1) Automated Investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser (“SoFi Wealth“). Brokerage services are provided to SoFi Wealth LLC by SoFi Securities LLC.
2) Active Investing and brokerage services are provided by SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA (www.finra.org)/SIPC(www.sipc.org). Clearing and custody of all securities are provided by APEX Clearing Corporation.
For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest platforms described above please visit SoFi.com/legal.
Neither the Investment Advisor Representatives of SoFi Wealth, nor the Registered Representatives of SoFi Securities are compensated for the sale of any product or service sold through any SoFi Invest platform.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Claw Promotion: Customer must fund their Active Invest account with at least $25 within 30 days of opening the account. Probability of customer receiving $1,000 is 0.028%. See full terms and conditions.

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Oct

2023

Dual Income No Kids (DINKs): Definition and Explanation

By Ashley Kilroy | Budgeting & Goals, Growing Wealth, invest, Investing | Comments Off

The acronym “DINK” stands for “dual income, no kids,” and references a household in which two adults are working for an income (dual incomes) but do not have children (no kids), and as a result, fewer expenses. DINKs have become more common over the years as many young adults have opted not to have children, often due to the financial resources required to raise them.

What Does DINK Mean?

As noted, DINK is short for “dual income, no kids,” or “double income, no kids.” It refers to households where there are two active incomes and no children. The two incomes can either come from both partners or one partner having two incomes.

Some couples opt to wait longer before having kids, so they fall into the “DINKY” category, which stands for “dual income, no kids yet,” allowing them to save money.

💡 Quick Tip: Investment fees are assessed in different ways, including trading costs, account management fees, and possibly broker commissions. When you set up an investment account, be sure to get the exact breakdown of your “all-in costs” so you know what you’re paying.

The Significance of Dual Income, No Kids

Without the added expense of children, DINK couples might have more disposable income available for spending and investing. Marketing campaigns for luxury vacations, homes, and other high-end items often target DINK couples.

However, just because a household has two incomes doesn’t automatically mean they have more money – there’s always room for improving your financial life, after all.

There are some reasons why they may still struggle financially, including:

• Their two incomes are not very high

• They live in an expensive area

• They have spending habits that eat up a large portion of their income

Why Are More Couples Choosing the DINK Life?

One of the main reasons couples choose to wait or forgo having children is the financial cost, which can range well into the hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years.

Further, when the Great Recession hit in 2008, many Millennials were just graduating from college or starting their careers. That recession made it challenging to get jobs and begin investing for the future. On top of recovering from the recession, nearly half of Millenials and a third of Gen Xers have a significant amount of student loan debt.

These factors have made it difficult for young people to achieve financial milestones and start families earlier in life. However, there are some couples who choose to wait a few years before having kids after they get married for non-financial reasons. They prefer to use their time as a young couple to travel, make life plans, and enjoy an untethered lifestyle.

Types of DINKs

DINKs come in a variety of types, including new couples and empty-nesters.

New Couples

New couples can be newlyweds, or simply those living together in a single household who are not married. They may be young or older, too, and are still feeling out their relationship and planning out their next steps. Children may or may not be a part of those next steps, but for the time being, new couples are standing pat with double-incomes.

Empty Nesters

While empty nesters may be parents, they may be at the point in their lives where their children have grown up and moved out, no longer presenting a financial burden. With that, they have some significant space in their budgets unshackled, with which they can make different spending, saving, and investing decisions.

Same-sex Couples

While many same-sex couples do have children, many do not, and they might also fight into the DINK category.

Structuring a DINK Household

There are many costs associated with having children, including clothing, food, healthcare, and education. Partners who don’t have children might instead choose to splurge or save up for early retirement.

DINK couples with disposable income have many options for how to spend or invest their money. Some couples may choose to buy nice cars, while others may enjoy going out to eat. They also potentially have more free time to travel and spend money. In general, clothing, food, or travel that may have been too expensive for couples with children can be accessible for DINK couples.

A couple with no children likely won’t need as many bedrooms or as much space in terms of housing. They can either choose to save money by renting or buying a smaller place to live. They can also choose to use the extra space for other purposes, such as a home gym, art studio, or rent out a room for extra income.

Kids also take up a lot of time and have fairly rigid schedules. Some DINK couples may choose to take more time off for travel and leisure, while others might choose to work longer hours or find ways to earn supplemental income.

In addition to purchasing and leisure options, dual income couples may have the opportunity to invest their extra money. They might purchase stocks, bonds, real estate, or explore other opportunities.

They could also try and get by on a lower income, too – for some DINKs, one earning a salary of $40,000 is enough to make ends meet in certain circumstances, especially if the other partner earns more.

7 Financial Tips for DINKs

Learning about each other’s financial habits and goals is important so that couples can get on the same page, whether they’re planning to have children or not. It also helps to have productive conversations about finances.

Establishing open and honest communications before having kids may make things easier in the long run. There are some crucial areas for couples to work on if they want to live a successful DINK lifestyle or get their finances set up before having children:

1. Paying Off Debts

Before setting off on a lavish vacation, it’s wise for DINK couples to have a plan to pay off high-interest debts such as credit cards and student loans.

Without kids, home loans, and other monthly bills, couples may have more available funds to tackle their debt and. Once they’ve paid down the debt, they can use the extra money they’ve saved from monthly interest payments to invest or spend elsewhere.

2. Creating Sustainable Spending Habits

Whether a DINK couple is waiting to have kids or doesn’t ever plan on having them, practicing responsible spending habits is crucial for financial success. If a couple is always in debt, having kids probably won’t change that.

Similarly, not having kids could make it tempting to go out to eat or travel a lot. Having conversations about the type of lifestyle each person wants both now and over the long-term helps make day-to-day spending choices easier. Earning $100,000 is a good salary, but if you have bad spending habits, it may still not be enough.

3. Traveling Smart

Travel is a huge draw for many DINK couples, but it can quickly get expensive. If couples want to travel a lot, they might consider staying in less expensive places and skipping the luxury trips.

If luxury is important to a couple, they might think about only going on one big trip per year and taking advantage of points, credit cards, and other offers to maximize their ability to see the world.

4. Planning Ahead and Investing Early

The more couples can figure out what they want in life and get their finances organized, the easier it is to plan their finances. If they plan to have kids in the future, they might consider saving now for college and other child-related expenses that may come later.

Factoring in future raises, inheritances, and other additional income or expenses is also helpful. Even if couples don’t start with high incomes, the earlier they can start saving, the more their portfolio has time to grow.

5. Consolidating Stuff

Just as couples without kids may not need to live in a large home, they may not need as many things. DINK couples might choose only to have one car or bicycle. There might be other items that each person has been buying for themselves that could be shared.

6. Acquiring New Skills

Couples without kids may choose to invest some of their time and money into additional training and education. If they plan to have kids in the future, this might help them move up the career ladder or earn a larger salary when the kids do come.

7. Getting Wise About Taxes

DINK couples can make smart financial choices to minimize their taxes. Contributing to an HSA or putting pre-tax income into a 401K can help reduce the tax burden. Owning a home may also provide tax breaks to some homeowners.

The Pros and Cons of a DINK Lifestyle

There is nothing dinky about the DINK lifestyle. Not having kids, or waiting to have kids presents a huge financial opportunity for many couples. However, if they aren’t smart about their savings and spending, couples may risk running into financial trouble.

Pros of Becoming a DINK Couple

• More free time and money to travel for work or pleasure.

• Ease of mobility — moving or traveling to a new house, city, or country is more manageable without kids.

• Disposable income to spend on cars, clothing, food, or other items.

• Ability to save money by living in a smaller house and not paying for children.

• Opportunity to save and invest extra income.

Cons to Remaining a DINK Couple

• Potential for overspending and splurging on travel and luxuries rather than saving and investing.

• DINK couples may be in a higher income bracket and have to pay more taxes.

• There may be less family support for caregiving as they age.

Planning for a Life Without Children

Life without kids might be an excellent decision for many couples. The extra free time and money can be used in many meaningful ways.

However, couples need to be on the same page about whether they want kids, and there are some things to keep in mind about a childless future.

Couples will need to figure out:

• How they’ll spend their retirement years

• Who will visit or take care of them when they’re older

• And who they will leave their money and assets to after they die

Saving up extra money for caregivers, retirement, and unforeseen circumstances can be an intelligent strategy for DINK couples. DINK couples must also make sure that they create an estate plan, so that their assets get distributed according to their wishes after they pass away.

Key Financial Baselines To Keep in Mind

When doing financial planning for the future, a few things are certain. Couples will have to pay taxes, and they’ll need food, shelter, and basic necessities. Beyond that, there are some baselines couples can look to as they plan for retirement, investing, home buying, and any kids they might plan to have.

The 4% Rule

Using the 4% rule, most couples will likely need to sock away more than $1 million for retirement, in order not to outlive their savings.

Home Costs

As of the fall of 2023, the average house costs nearly $500,000 in the U.S. — something to keep in mind.

Although these numbers may sound like a lot of money, couples with two incomes and no children can start saving some of their extra cash early and take advantage of compound interest over time. If they are savvy about their savings and spending, couples can potentially retire early and enjoy more free time for travel and personal pursuits.

Planning for the Ultimate DINK Lifestyle

To recap, “DINK” stands for dual income, no kids, and refers to households with two earners and no children. These households do not have the financial responsibilities associated with children, and thus, tend to have greater purchasing power than other families or households that do have kids.

Going kid-free has many upsides, but it’s important to be money smart, plan, and work together to create a prosperous and secure future. Couples who are planning to never have children or to wait to have them, often have more disposable income to put toward their financial goals, including investing.

For a limited time, opening and funding an Active Invest account gives you the opportunity to get up to $1,000 in the stock of your choice.

FAQ

What does the term DINKs refer to?

“DINKs” refers to households with two earners and no children. It’s an acronym that stands for “double income, no kids,” or “dual income, no kids.”

What are the benefits of dual income without kids?

The primary benefit of DINK households is that they do not have the financial responsibilities associated with raising children, and as a result, have more purchasing power or discretionary income. They may be able to save and invest more, accordingly.

What percentage of married couples don’t want kids?

While it’s hard to say exactly, a rough estimate would be that around 20%, or one out of five adults say they do not plan to, or want to have children.

SoFi Invest®

INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE

SoFi Invest encompasses two distinct companies, with various products and services offered to investors as described below: Individual customer accounts may be subject to the terms applicable to one or more of these platforms.
1) Automated Investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser (“SoFi Wealth“). Brokerage services are provided to SoFi Wealth LLC by SoFi Securities LLC.
2) Active Investing and brokerage services are provided by SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA (www.finra.org)/SIPC(www.sipc.org). Clearing and custody of all securities are provided by APEX Clearing Corporation.
For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest platforms described above please visit SoFi.com/legal.
Neither the Investment Advisor Representatives of SoFi Wealth, nor the Registered Representatives of SoFi Securities are compensated for the sale of any product or service sold through any SoFi Invest platform.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Advisory services are offered through SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Information about SoFi Wealth’s advisory operations, services, and fees is set forth in SoFi Wealth’s current Form ADV Part 2 (Brochure), a copy of which is available upon request and at adviserinfo.sec.gov .

Claw Promotion: Customer must fund their Active Invest account with at least $25 within 30 days of opening the account. Probability of customer receiving $1,000 is 0.028%. See full terms and conditions.

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