Betterment
Betterment Cash Reserve
By Alex Compton · Last verified
Cash savings goals with a variable base rate and conditional promotional boosts
Insurance: Eligible cash across the Cash Sweep Program up to $4 million individually or $8 million jointly at program banks, subject to conditions and aggregate deposits; separate Checking is excluded
Account Terms History
A dated record of APY, fees and opening requirements. New changes append to this table; prior terms remain visible.
| Observed | APY / yield | Monthly fee | Minimum | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-11-02 | 3.50% variable base APY as of September 21, 2026; eligible new clients receive an additional 0.75 percentage point on up to $1 million through February 15, 2027 under the checked offer | $0 | $10 | Betterment Cash Reserve help page, checked November 2, 2026 →Freshness-rotation reconfirmation: Betterment's help center still lists the Cash Reserve APY as 3.50%, dated 9/21/2026. No change. |
| 2026-10-23 | 3.50% variable base APY as of September 21, 2026; eligible new clients receive an additional 0.75 percentage point on up to $1 million through February 15, 2027 under the checked offer | $0 | $10 | Betterment offer terms and linked cash disclosures →Scoped review corrected the new-client boost end date and eligibility, removed unsupported recurring-offer and automatic two-way-sweep claims, and qualified withdrawal timing and sweep coverage. October 5 full-record date preserved. |
Primary-source verification log
Append-only evidence ledger- changed
Scoped review corrected the new-client boost end date and eligibility, removed unsupported recurring-offer and automatic two-way-sweep claims, and qualified withdrawal timing and sweep coverage. October 5 full-record date preserved.
Fields: apy, fdic, features, pros, cons, ourTake, bestFor, tagline
Betterment offer terms and linked cash disclosures →
Features
- ▸Checked new-client offer adds 0.75 percentage point through February 15, 2027, subject to the $1 million cap and offer requirements
- ▸Offer requires a Cash Reserve account opened within 14 days of creating a new Betterment account and a settled deposit of at least $10 during the promotion
- ▸Multiple savings goals and automated saving tools
- ▸Unlimited withdrawal frequency, with no ongoing minimum balance after the $10 deposit minimum
- ▸External withdrawals generally take one to two business days; recent-deposit holds and other delays can apply
- ▸Cash Reserve can be used without investing through Betterment; Checking is a separate product
Pros
- +No monthly Cash Reserve fee
- +Organize cash into separate savings goals
- +Eligible new clients can receive a temporary APY boost
- +Multi-bank sweep can extend deposit coverage subject to program conditions
Cons
- −No debit-card or ATM spending directly from Cash Reserve
- −External withdrawals are generally not instant and can be delayed by deposit holds
- −The checked new-client boost ends on a fixed date rather than lasting three months for every depositor
- −Sweep coverage must account for other eligible cash and deposits at the same program banks
Our Take
Betterment Cash Reserve is an option for savings goals that do not require immediate debit-card access. Compare the variable base rate and any offer you qualify for over your actual holding period. The checked new-client boost ends February 15, 2027, so joining later means less promotional time. Cash Reserve can stand alone without an investment portfolio; separate Checking has different terms and coverage.
Best for: Savers who want separate cash goals and can allow time for withdrawals
Open at Betterment →Last verified 2026-11-02
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