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The longer you invest, the greater your potential for higher returns. This is a key principle with investing and also holds true for GICs. Usually, GICs with longer terms to maturity pay a higher interest rate. But when considering your options, keep in mind that choosing a longer term locks your money in at a fixed rate. And should rates rise, you may miss an opportunity to earn higher interest.
Fortunately, a proven strategy known as laddering can reduce the influence of interest rate changes and maximize your GIC returns. Laddering involves staggering the maturity dates of your GICs so that only a portion of your money is locked in for the same length of time.
The diagram below illustrates how $50,000 would be invested using a laddered GIC strategy. To see how laddering can benefit you, try our GIC Laddering Tool.
Laddering at work
Initial Investment | Today | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
$10,000 | Purchase 1-year GIC | Purchase NEW 5-year GIC |
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$10,000 | Purchase 2-year GIC | — | Purchase NEW 5-year GIC |
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$10,000 | Purchase 3-year GIC | — | — | Purchase NEW 5-year GIC |
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$10,000 | Purchase 4-year GIC | — | — | — | Purchase NEW 5-year GIC |
|
$10,000 | Purchase 5-year GIC | — | — | — | — | Purchase NEW 5-year GIC |
$50,000 |
Chart is for illustrative purposes only.
The Five-in-One GIC® is a great way to apply a laddering strategy with your non-registered GIC investments. Usually, shorter-term GICs offer lower rates than longer-term GICs. With the Five-in-One GIC, you receive the same attractive rate for all five terms at the time of your initial investment. Also, you enjoy the flexibility to choose whether you want interest paid monthly, semi-annually, annually or at maturity (interest is compounded annually).