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College students are uniquely positioned to take advantage of seasonal jobs since they tend to have summers off from school and long holiday breaks. This gives them the opportunity to earn extra money for college and get some hands-on work experience to put on their resume.

Whether you’re looking for a job that lets you earn as much money as possible to help pay your college expenses, or a position that’s in the same field as your studies, there are a variety of seasonal jobs for college students that may be right for you.

Read on to learn more about the best seasonal jobs for college students.

Why Is It Important for College Students to Find a Seasonal Job?

Landing a seasonal job as a college student is crucial for a number of reasons. First, it can give you income to pay your bills, including college expenses. You might even want to start paying the interest that accrues on some of your student loans while you’re in school, including your private student loans.

Along with paying for a college degree, other reasons for college students to get a seasonal job include gaining work experience, developing skills to put on your resume, and getting the chance to network and meet working professionals who may be helpful to you when you’re looking for a full-time job after graduation. A seasonal job can also teach you things like time management, effective communication, and how to collaborate with others.

Along with paying for a college degree, other reasons for college students to get a seasonal job include gaining work experience, developing skills to put on your resume, and getting the chance to network and meet working professionals who may be helpful to you when you’re looking for a full-time job after graduation. A seasonal job can also teach you things like time management, effective communication, and how to collaborate with others.

What Are the Best Seasonal Jobs for College Students?

Here are some of the best seasonal jobs for college students based on such factors as wages, job availability, and the skills required.

Virtual Assistant

Virtual assistants are remote administrative contractors who assist businesses with a wide range of duties, including administrative support, customer service, social media management, email marketing, bookkeeping, data entry, research, transcription, and content or website management. Because these jobs are virtual, college students can do them no matter where they live.

Average pay: $7.21 to $62.74 an hour

Social Media Marketer

In this position, college students are employed by a company to use social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to promote the company. They might work on projects to reach new customers, engage with current customers, and announce new services and products. Their day-to-day tasks could range from writing posts, optimizing performance, and responding to comments and messages, to helping to plan the company’s social media marketing strategy.

Average pay: Approximately $26.18 per hour

Tutor

Working as a tutor can be a natural fit for those in college. You can connect with other students and help them learn by explaining information in a way that’s relatable to them.

You can find work as a tutor by advertising your services at your college, getting a job at a local learning center, or signing up with campus tutoring services. You could also join an online tutoring platform like Tutor.com.

Average pay: $7.25 to $43.40 per hour

Recommended: Student Debt by Major

Winter Seasonal Jobs for College Students

Wintertime offers some special seasonal jobs for college students to do part-time and help pay for college. These are some options to consider.

Professional Driver

Becoming a professional driver, such as a delivery truck driver, can be a lucrative job for a college student. To become a professional driver who drives a delivery truck, however, you will first likely need to obtain a commercial driver’s license. In the training you’ll learn technical driving skills, safety procedures, and federal and state regulations, and get track-driving practice.

You can also be considered a professional driver if you drive to earn money for a ride share company or do food delivery. These jobs usually don’t require a commercial license.

Average pay: $26.12 per hour for a professional driver with a commercial license; $14.42 to $20.19 for rideshare drivers

Warehouse Worker

Warehouse workers pack and ship orders, and manage, organize, and retrieve warehouse materials. They might also transport merchandise from distribution centers, and identify missing, damaged, or lost merchandise. Some warehouse workers may need a forklift license and the ability to lift heavy objects.

Average pay: $17.81 per hour

Snow Remover

If you’re willing to shovel snow or you have a vehicle such as a pickup truck or an SUV that you can use for snow plowing, you may want to consider a snow removal job. You can put up posters advertising your services in town, or you can approach local companies to see if they need snow plowing help. You might also be able to get a job working for a local snow plowing business.

Average pay: $50 to $204 per snowfall

Resort Jobs

In the winter, there are often jobs available at ski resorts, spas, and lodges. You might find employment as a room attendant, front desk clerk, food server, bellhop, and more. Check with resorts in your area to see what’s available

Average pay: Earnings vary depending on the job; room attendants earn $18.25 per hour.

Food Service Worker

Colleges frequently need food service workers for cafeterias, cafes, and coffee shops on campus. Some of these positions may be work-study jobs, which are a type of federal financial aid. To qualify, you must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and receive work-study money as part of your financial aid award.

Aside from work-study food service jobs, you can look for positions in the food industry at local restaurants and brew pubs. These jobs may be fairly plentiful in college towns, which often have a number of different dining establishments.

Average pay: $17.52 per hour

Seasonal Summer Jobs for College Students

Whether you stay at college in the summer or go back home you will likely have about three months to devote to a summer job.

Pet Sitter

If you love animals, this could be the perfect summer gig for you. Since summertime is the prime vacation season, you may be able to find many pet-sitting opportunities.

As a pet sitter, you’ll typically go to people’s homes to care for their pets for a set amount of time each day, or even overnight. Tasks include feeding pets, walking dogs, cleaning litter boxes, administering medications, and playing with the pet.

You can alert prospective clients to your services via social media, including Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram. You can also ask around in your neighborhood to see who might need a pet sitter.

Average pay: About $25 for a 30-minute visit, $20 to $30 a day, $45 to $75 per overnight, or $250 to $375 per week

Babysitter

Many parents need help in the summer when their kids are home from school. As a babysitter, you may spend time playing with children, doing crafts with them, feeding them, and taking them to activities like sports practice, doctors’ appointments, and summer camp sessions.

Average pay: Approximately $23.61 per hour for one child

Summer School Teacher

If you are an aspiring teacher who has completed their bachelor’s degree, you could become a summer school teacher in a school district. For such a position, you’ll need your degree plus certification or licensure in your state.

For a somewhat similar but less formal summer school job, you could consider tutoring, working at a summer camp, or getting a position as an assistant in a kids’ arts or music program.

Average pay: $15 to $49 an hour for summer school teachers

Lifeguard

Lifeguarding is a popular job for college students since you get to spend your days at a pool or beach. You must pass a swimming test and undergo a lifeguard training and certification program that usually includes First Aid and CPR/AED training.

Average pay: $13 to $15 per hour

Landscaper

As a landscaper, you’ll do such tasks as plant flowers, mow lawns, prune trees, aerate soil, and fertilize plants and lawns. If you like to be outdoors, you’re able to do heavy lifting and digging, and don’t mind getting dirty, this could be a rewarding summer job for you.

Average pay: $15.94 per hour

Seasonal Holiday Jobs for College Students

On your year-end break from school, you can earn some extra money by getting a seasonal job for college students. Many businesses need additional help during the holidays, and some big companies hire tens of thousands of seasonal employees.

Retail Employee

Retailers often offer some of the best seasonal holiday jobs for college students. Retailers like Dick’s Sporting Goods, Target, Walmart, Macy’s, Bath & Body Works, Kohl’s, and J.C. Penney employ many seasonal workers for the season. Companies like Amazon also offer seasonal jobs, so consider looking there as well.

Average pay: $15 to $24 per hour, though it varies depending on the retailer

Gift Wrapper

If you enjoy wrapping presents for family and friends, why not do it professionally? Many retail stores offer gift wrapping services to their clients, and they’re typically looking for seasonal employees to fill this role. The job typically involves paying attention to detail while working quickly to meet customer demand during the holiday rush.

Average pay: $9 to $17 per hour

Recommended: Student Loan Forgiveness Guide

Other Ways to Pay for College Tuition

In addition to getting a seasonal job, there are a number of other options you can use to help pay for college. The more money you can put toward your college expenses now, the easier getting out of student loan debt later on may be.

First, be sure to fill out the FAFSA for any federal financial aid you might qualify for, including scholarships, grants, and federal student loans. These loans come with specific federal student loan interest rates that can vary from year to year.

You can also look for private scholarships and grants. This type of gift aid may be offered by your state, various organizations, and some businesses. SoFi’s scholarship search tool can help you find different gift aid opportunities.

Another alternative is to take out private student loans. These loans are offered by banks, credit unions, and private lenders. Private student loans have fixed or variable rates, and the rate you may qualify for depends on your credit history, among other factors. You can opt to refinance student loans in the future to get a lower rate or better terms if you’re eligible.

A student loan payment calculator can help you determine what your loan payments might be.

Student Loan Options From SoFi

Getting a seasonal job for college students is one way to help pay for college. Federal financial aid, such as federal student loans, scholarships and grants can also help you cover your school costs. And private student loans can supplement your federal financial aid and help fill in the gaps.

SoFi has private student loan options you can explore, as well as student loan refinancing. With refinancing, you replace your existing loans with a new private student loan, ideally one with a lower rate and more favorable terms. Just be aware that if you refinance federal student loans, you won’t be able to access federal benefits such as income-driven repayment plans.

Looking to lower your monthly student loan payment? Refinancing may be one way to do it — by extending your loan term, getting a lower interest rate than what you currently have, or both. (Please note that refinancing federal loans makes them ineligible for federal forgiveness and protections. Also, lengthening your loan term may mean paying more in interest over the life of the loan.) SoFi student loan refinancing offers flexible terms that fit your budget.

photo credit: iStock/jacoblund

SoFi Student Loan Refinance
SoFi Student Loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLS #696891. (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). SoFi Student Loan Refinance Loans are private loans and do not have the same repayment options that the federal loan program offers, or may become available, such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Income-Based Repayment, Income-Contingent Repayment, PAYE or SAVE. Additional terms and conditions apply. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal.

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Mortgages come with different loan terms, and a short 10-year mortgage could be beneficial for some borrowers vs. the common 30-year variety. It’s important to consider your personal finances and goals, since the mortgage length affects the interest rate and monthly payment.

This guide will compare the pros and cons of different mortgage lengths and explore how to get a 10-year mortgage term. Read on to learn if paying off a home loan in a decade is the right fit for you.

How Does a 10-Year Mortgage Work?

A homebuyer or refinancer chooses a mortgage term based largely on the monthly payment they can handle and how long they plan to keep the property. In general, the shorter the term, the higher the monthly payment.

The term length isn’t the only differentiating factor among mortgages. There’s also the choice of fixed-rate vs. adjustable-rate mortgages.

With a 10-year fixed-rate mortgage, the interest rate is set for the life of the loan. Through mortgage amortization, the monthly payment on a fixed-rate mortgage stays the same (excluding changes in property taxes or insurance charges if included in escrow payments). This makes it easy to budget years worth of housing costs.

The amortization schedule determines how the monthly payment is allocated between the principal and interest. Initially, payments primarily go toward interest. Near the end of the loan term, most of the payment will be on the loan principal, with minimal interest remaining.

Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) work differently. A 10-year ARM has a fixed interest rate for 10 years, followed by a fluctuating interest rate until the loan is paid off. You might see a 10/1 ARM or 10/6 ARM. With a 10/1 ARM, the interest rate is fixed for 10 years and then readjusted every year for the remaining term (usually 20 more years). A 10/6 ARM operates similarly but readjusts every six months rather than annually.

Reasons to Choose a 10-Year Mortgage

No two homebuyers or refinancers have the same financial goals and situation, but there are some common reasons for choosing a 10-year mortgage.

Borrowers may prefer a 10-year mortgage to save on total interest paid. This could be a good option for buyers with higher incomes who can afford larger monthly payments with money still left over for savings and other expenses.

When interest rates are low, homeowners with an existing 20- or 30-year mortgage might choose to refinance to a 10-year mortgage to get out of debt sooner and pay less interest. This scenario could be more beneficial if you plan to remain in your home longer, allowing time to recoup the closing costs of refinancing.

A shorter mortgage term can be helpful for people who are approaching retirement, too. Paying off a mortgage while you’re still earning a salary (and in less time) allows soon-to-be retirees to save money on interest payments. After 10 years, retirees can enjoy their paid-off house or sell the property to further pad their savings and downsize.

Pros of a 10-Year Mortgage Term

Considering a 10-year mortgage term? Here are some of the potential upsides of going with a decadelong mortgage term.

•   Faster Payoff: You’ll own your home outright in just 10 years.

•   Competitive Rates: 10-year mortgage rates are often lower than rates for mortgages with longer terms.

•   Less Interest Paid: A shorter mortgage term means less interest is accrued, and thus paid, over the life of the loan.

•   Building of Equity: Putting more money toward your mortgage right away can grow home equity faster, which can be borrowed against later for home improvements or other expenses.

Cons of a 10-Year Mortgage Term

Taking out a 10-year mortgage isn’t without its drawbacks. Here are some downsides to be aware of when considering this type of home loan.

•   Higher Monthly Payments: A condensed mortgage term comes with higher monthly payments, putting borrowers at risk if they lose a job or incur emergency expenses.

•   Risk of Becoming “House Poor”: Putting more money toward your mortgage could prevent you from achieving other financial goals, such as saving for retirement or college tuition.

•   Less of a Tax Deduction: Borrowers who use the mortgage interest deduction on taxes will only be able to do so for 10 years.

•   Less Property Choice: Buyers may qualify for a smaller loan amount with a 10-year mortgage than a longer-term loan, reducing the number of homes they can afford.

Recommended: How a 5/1 ARM Works

10-Year Mortgage vs 30-Year Mortgage: How They Compare

It’s helpful to compare mortgage options during the homebuying process. This means looking at different lenders and mortgage term lengths.

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is the most popular way to finance a home purchase, with 90% of mortgages lasting 30 years. It’s also the route most borrowers using first-time homebuyer programs take.

Let’s take a closer look at how 10-year mortgages and 30-year mortgages compare.

Interest Rates

Fixed-rate mortgages keep the same interest rate over the life of the loan, helping to make payments predictable.

Lenders use a variety of factors to calculate interest rates, such as credit score, down payment, and economic conditions. Generally speaking, paying the loan back in less time is viewed as less risky for the lender. Thus, 10-year mortgages typically come with lower interest rates than 30-year mortgages.

Monthly Payment

With fixed-rate mortgages, equal installment payments are collected each month by a mortgage servicer.

While 10-year mortgages often have lower interest rates, the monthly payment is significantly higher thanks to the condensed payment schedule. Put another way, the monthly payment for a 10-year mortgage is usually double that of a 30-year mortgage.

For example, a $300,000 mortgage at a fixed rate of 5% with a 10-year term would have a monthly payment of $3,182. Meanwhile, borrowing $300,000 at a fixed rate of 5% with a 30-year term would amount to a $1,610 payment each month. This calculation excludes property taxes, homeowners insurance, and any private mortgage insurance.

You can use this online mortgage calculator tool to estimate your monthly payment.

Getting Qualified

Your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, which is calculated by dividing your monthly debts by your gross monthly income, is an important indicator of your ability to repay the loan.

A DTI of 36% or less is recommended for homebuyers, though borrowers with a DTI of 43% may still qualify for a mortgage.

When applying for a 10-year mortgage, the larger monthly payment will increase your DTI, which could affect your ability to qualify, or at least how much you qualify for. Borrowers may qualify for a larger loan amount with a 30-year mortgage because the monthly payment is lower.

Should Inflation Affect Whether You Choose a 10-Year or Longer Mortgage?

Inflation has an impact on the cost of everything. Homebuyers and refinancers need to know that inflation affects mortgage rates.

Choosing a longer mortgage term with lower monthly payments can help safeguard a budget from the effects of inflation.

Most borrowers have the option of making extra principal payments, as their finances allow, to repay the loan faster and save on interest. The same ideas behind how to pay off a 30-year mortgage in 15 years apply to paying it off in 10.

Borrowers can also refinance to a 10-year mortgage later if rates are lower and they have the income to manage the higher monthly payment.

Recommended: Home Loan Help Center

The Takeaway

Opting for a 10-year mortgage can help you pay off your home quicker and save money on interest. On the flipside, you’ll have to dedicate more of your budget to payments, potentially at the cost of retirement savings and investments.

Looking for an affordable option for a home mortgage loan? SoFi can help: We offer low down payments (as little as 3% - 5%*) with our competitive and flexible home mortgage loans. Plus, applying is extra convenient: It's online, with access to one-on-one help.

FAQ

Is 10 years the shortest mortgage you can get?

Borrowers may access mortgages with terms of less than 10 years by working with their a bank or credit union with which they have a strong relationship to customize a loan.

Are there 50-year mortgages?

Though uncommon, 50-year fixed-rate mortgages exist. With such an extended term, borrowers will pay significantly more in interest over the life of the loan than shorter-term home loans.

Photo credit: iStock/fizkes

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

SoFi Mortgages
Terms, conditions, and state restrictions apply. Not all products are available in all states. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information.

*SoFi requires Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) for conforming home loans with a loan-to-value (LTV) ratio greater than 80%. As little as 3% down payments are for qualifying first-time homebuyers only. 5% minimum applies to other borrowers. Other loan types may require different fees or insurance (e.g., VA funding fee, FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums, etc.). Loan requirements may vary depending on your down payment amount, and minimum down payment varies by loan type.

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.

This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice.

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.

Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

SOHL-Q424-149

A bank draft (which SoFi doesn’t offer at this time) is a document that looks like a check, but the payer’s bank guarantees the funds, making them extremely reliable. Since bank drafts have no limit, their increased security makes them ideal for hefty transactions, such as purchasing a car. They are often used in business transactions as well.

Bank drafts can foster trust in a deal involving large sums of money since there’s no worry about a bounced check or handing over piles of physical cash. Here’s how a bank draft works and what to expect when you use one.

Bank Draft Definition

A bank draft is a financial instrument used to make payments — frequently large ones — that have your bank’s financial backing. Bank drafts look like typical checks but can’t bounce because the bank ensures the payment will go through, usually within 24 hours. In addition, bank drafts can be for any amount you like, unlike the situation with wrangling, say, ATM withdrawal limits.

You typically obtain a bank draft either by visiting a bank branch in person or making a request in writing. You’ll usually pay a fee of $0 or $10 to get a bank draft drawn on your checking account. While bank drafts technically don’t expire, financial institutions may refuse to process a bank draft that is more than a few months old.

Money Orders vs Bank Drafts

You can use both money orders and bank drafts to make payments, but these tools differ in several ways.

•   Money orders sent domestically must be less than $1,000, while bank drafts don’t have limits.

•   You must have a bank account to draw upon in order to get a bank draft, but you can get a money order from a bank, U.S. post office, and select grocery stores and retail locations. Money orders are often bought with cash, a debit card, or a traveler’s check.

•   You can cancel a money order and get a refund if your payee hasn’t cashed it yet, but banks usually won’t cancel a bank draft.

Knowing these differences can help you determine which financial tool is best suited for your situation.

How Do Bank Drafts Work?

To get a bank draft, you will typically follow these steps.

•   Ask your bank or credit union to issue a bank draft for the desired amount. You can do so in person at a branch or in writing.

•   Next, your financial institution confirms your account has sufficient funds for the bank draft and moves the money from your account into its reserve account. This way, they can guarantee the bank draft, meaning your payee can be sure of receiving payment.

•   Lastly, your financial institution creates the physical document with the payee’s name on it. Typically, you get a bank draft in person at a branch, though they can also be obtained via mail.

Like ATM fees, your financial institution may charge a nominal fee for bank drafts (as noted above, typically close to $10). However, you might receive the first several bank drafts for free at your bank. In addition, using a specific amount of bank drafts per month might eliminate the fee.

Pros and Cons of Bank Drafts

Bank drafts have pros and cons, just as checks, e-checks, money orders, and cash do. Keep the following in mind when using bank drafts:

Pros

First, the advantages of bank drafts:

•   Your financial institution acts as the intermediary for the transaction, making the payment secure and convenient. It adds a level of trust.

•   A bank draft is safer than carrying thousands of dollars in cash.

•   Bank drafts can’t bounce since your financial institution guarantees the payment.

•   Bank drafts have no limit in terms of the amount.

•   Therefore, they’re helpful for sizable transactions, such as a down payment for a home.

•   The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or FDIC, insures most financial institutions, meaning the government will fulfill the bank draft’s value in the rare instance of a financial institution failing. This insurance covers up to $250,000 per depositor, per account category, per institution.

•   Bank drafts generally clear within 24 hours.

•   Financial institutions can usually convert bank drafts into the payee’s preferred currency, from U.S. dollars to euros and beyond.

As you can see, bank drafts can be a very useful tool to make a large payment.

Cons

Next, the downsides of bank drafts:

•   Your financial institution might charge you to issue a bank draft.

•   The bank draft isn’t an electronic transfer; it’s a physical document you must deliver to your payee.

•   Since it’s a physical document, your bank draft might become lost, stolen, or damaged.

•   It’s typically impossible to cancel a bank draft and receive a refund.

•   It may be challenging (but not impossible) to recover your money if it is lost.

•   Fees could be higher than other methods.

In these ways, there are some negative aspects to bank drafts that may mean they are not appropriate for every situation.

Canceling a Bank Draft

Generally, you can only cancel a bank draft in dire situations. Theft or fraud are usually the only reasons a financial institution will cancel a bank draft. However, your financial institution may have a policy stating they won’t cancel bank drafts under any circumstances.

That said, if you want to cancel a bank draft for a reason other than theft or bank fraud, you could have the payee cash the bank draft and give you the money. This option requires trusting the payee to agree to and provide the refund.

Bank Draft Alternatives

While bank drafts may suit some payment scenarios, they are just one among many ways to send money.

•   One alternative to bank drafts is automatic clearing house (ACH) payments. The ACH network allows banks, credit unions, and financial institutions to transfer funds to each other electronically. ACH payments are usually free but may have transfer limits. Also worth noting: They are solely for domestic transactions.

•   You could use a wire transfer, another electronic payment type that usually completes the payment within 24 hours. As with ACH payments, wire transfers have limits, such as $10,000 or $100,000. However, wire transfers are viable for foreign transactions.

•   Checks are another option. Receiving a large sum via a standard check involves the risk of it bouncing, so payees may hesitate to accept this form of payment. You could pay for a cashier’s check from your financial institution. This means the bank uses its funds to guarantee the payment. A certified check, in which the bank verifies that you to have the necessary funds in your account, is another possibility.

•   Money transfer apps, including such P2P platforms as PayPal and Venmo, are a financial tool that can offer speed and security as you move funds. (Instant accessibility may be available if the recipient pays a fee.) These apps may charge transaction fees and usually have daily transaction limits.

Money transfer apps link to your bank account, making their use seamless and convenient. However, depending on the app, your transaction might not have FDIC insurance, meaning a botched transaction could result in the permanent loss of money. In addition, the payer and payee need to have the same app to conduct a transaction.

As you see, there are many ways to transfer funds if a payment by bank draft doesn’t suit your needs.

The Takeaway

A bank draft is a financial tool typically used for large transactions, such as the payment for a home, a vehicle, or the purchase of office equipment. The bank guarantees payment to the payee by using its own reserves after verifying and transferring the issuer’s funds into a reserve account, which adds a layer of security and trustworthiness. However, because bank drafts are physical documents that you can’t easily cancel and that are subject to damage or theft, it’s best to handle them carefully and perhaps consider alternatives, such as electronic payments.

FAQ

How long does it take for bank draft to clear?

Bank drafts usually take 24 hours or less to clear because the payer’s financial institution guarantees the funds. However, the receiving bank may have its own policies about when it makes funds available to the account holder, so check with your financial institution about timing if you are receiving a bank draft.

Is a bank draft available immediately?

Bank draft funds generally become available within 24 hours of the payee depositing them. However, the payee’s financial institution might take up to a few business days to make the funds available, depending on its policies.

What do you need for bank draft?

You need a bank account to issue a bank draft. In addition, you need your account to have funds equal to or greater than the payment amount. You may also need to pay a small fee for the bank draft; typically, the cost is $10 or less.

Does a bank draft require a signature?

Neither the issuer nor the payee need to provide a signature for a bank draft. The sole party that signs a bank draft is an employee of the issuer’s bank or financial institution.

Photo credit: iStock/deepblue4you

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.

This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice.

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When opening an Individual Retirement Account (IRA), it’s important to consider any fees that might be involved. Typical IRA fees may include annual maintenance fees and account closure fees. You may also pay a fee to roll funds over to an IRA or close your account and transfer funds elsewhere.

Factoring in fees matters when deciding where to open an IRA. The more you pay in fees, the less of your investment dollars you get to keep. Understanding the various IRA fees you might encounter can make it easier to choose the right option for your retirement savings.

Fees IRAs Can Charge

Brokerages and banks that offer retirement accounts can charge a variety of IRA fees and some are more fee-friendly than others. Some of the most common fees you might encounter with an IRA can include:

•   Account maintenance fees. Some brokerages charge IRA maintenance (or custodial) fees simply for having an account. You may pay a flat fee or a percentage of the assets in your account on a monthly or yearly basis. It doesn’t matter what type of account you have, as there’s typically no real difference between traditional IRA and Roth IRA maintenance fees.

•   Account closure fees. If you open an IRA at one brokerage, then decide to close it, you may pay a fee to terminate your account.

It’s difficult to determine how much an investor might pay in IRA fees on average, as every brokerage follows a different fee schedule. For example, you might pay a small account maintenance fee at one brokerage, while another charges no maintenance fee at all.

As for fees for opening a Roth IRA or traditional IRA, many financial institutions don’t charge this fee. If they do, account setup fees may be in the neighborhood of $25 to $50. Additionally, it could cost $100 or more to close your account and move it elsewhere.

How Are IRA Fees Charged?

Traditional IRA fees and Roth IRA fees are set by the financial institution that’s offering the account. Typically, there are fours ways fees can be assessed:

•   One-time

•   Monthly

•   Yearly

If you’re worried about losing money in an IRA, it’s important to know when fees can apply and how much you’ll pay. You may be focused on making sure your investments do well to avoid losses, but fees can easily leech away your earnings little by little if you’re not paying attention.

Reviewing a brokerage’s fee schedule before opening an IRA can give you a better idea of what you might pay in terms of upfront fees and ongoing costs. You can also review the prospectus for each mutual fund or ETF you plan to invest in to see how much you might pay for the expense ratio. The expense ratio is set by the mutual fund company, not the brokerage.

The Takeaway

Opening an IRA can get you closer to your retirement savings goals, while allowing you to enjoy some tax benefits along the way. When deciding where to open an IRA, it’s important to zero in on the fees as that can affect your overall account growth long-term.

If you’re ready to get started with retirement planning, it’s easy to open an IRA with SoFi. You can get your account up and running in minutes online, and choose between automated or DIY investing to help you reach your goals.

Ready to invest for your retirement? It’s easy to get started when you open a traditional or Roth IRA with SoFi. SoFi doesn’t charge commissions, but other fees apply (full fee disclosure here).

FAQ

What is a good IRA maintenance fee?

A good IRA maintenance fee is no fee at all, as some brokerages waive annual and monthly account maintenance fees.

How are fees paid in an IRA?

Some IRA providers charge account maintenance fees that you may pay one time, monthly, or annually. Check with the financial institution offering the account.

Are IRA fees higher than 401(k) fees?

A 401(k) can charge its own fees and whether they’re higher or lower than IRA fees largely depends on who manages the plan. Fees for a 401(k) may outpace IRA fees in some instances.

Photo credit: iStock/supersizer

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