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Discover IRA Review

Discover® IRA Retirement Accounts
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Discover® IRA Retirement Accounts
Discover® IRA Retirement Accounts
Bestmoney Staff
Feb. 18, 2025
5 min read
BestMoney Staff
Discover® IRA Retirement Accounts Summary
Discover Bank offers a simple, low-risk way to save for retirement through IRA Certificates of Deposit (CDs) and IRA Savings Accounts. These accounts offer competitive rates, no monthly fees, and FDIC insurance for security. However, investment options are limited to savings and fixed-rate CDs, making it less flexible compared to IRAs that include stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds.

Pros

  • No minimum deposit required for IRA Savings and CD Accounts
  • Competitive interest rates on IRA CD
  • FDIC-insured for up to $250,000 per depositor

Cons

  • No stock, bond, or mutual fund investment options
  • Early withdrawal penalties apply to IRA CDs

Discover® IRA Retirement Accounts at a glance

9.6
Editorial score

Years in Business

Been in business since 1985
10.0

Minimum Investment

No minimum requirement
10.0

Diversification

Fewer than 3 investment vehicles; only offers IRA CDs and IRA savings accounts
8.0

Customer Service

24/7 support available
10.0

Online Experience

Highly informative website with a clear breakdown of offerings; also offers highly-rated mobile app
10.0

Overview

Founded in 1985, Discover Bank is widely recognized for its credit cards and banking services. It has since expanded into personal finance, offering high-yield savings accounts, money market accounts, and retirement investment options.

Discover IRA accounts cater to individuals looking for low-risk, interest-bearing retirement savings. While the bank’s IRA offerings don’t include stocks or mutual funds, they provide secure and predictable returns through CDs and savings accounts.

What is Discover IRA?

Discover IRA provides two main retirement savings accounts:

  1. IRA Savings Account – Offers flexibility with no minimum balance requirement and a competitive interest rate. It allows users to contribute funds without committing to a fixed term.
  2. IRA CD – Provides fixed interest rates for set terms ranging from 3 months to 10 years. These accounts are ideal for individuals who prefer steady, predictable returns.

Discover’s IRA options are designed for those looking to preserve their capital while earning modest interest, rather than aggressive investors seeking high-risk, high-reward opportunities.

Suitable For?

Discover IRA is designed for individuals looking for a low-risk retirement savings option. If you want a simple, predictable, and secure way to grow your retirement funds without market fluctuations, these IRAs can be a great fit. However, if you’re looking for investment flexibility with stocks or ETFs, this may not be the best option.

Features/Highlights

Discover IRA offers two main account options: the IRA Savings Account and IRA CDs, each catering to different retirement savings needs. The IRA Savings Account has no minimum deposit requirement and offers a variable interest rate, making it a flexible option for those who want easy access to funds.

IRA CDs also have no minimum deposit requirements, but provide fixed interest rates for terms ranging from 3 months to 10 years and may incur early withdrawal penalties. Neither account has monthly maintenance fees, and both are FDIC-insured up to $250,000, ensuring security for your retirement savings. While Discover IRAs lack investment options like stocks or mutual funds, they can appeal to conservative investors who prefer stable, predictable returns.

Feature
Details
IRA Savings APYCompetitive variable rate
IRA CD Terms3 months to 10 years
Minimum Deposit$0 for Savings and CDs
FeesNo monthly fees
Early Withdrawal PenaltyApplies to IRA CDs
FDIC InsuranceUp to $250,000 per depositor

Product Choices and Terms

Discover IRAs come in two types:

  • IRA Savings Account – Can be suitable for those who want flexibility and easy access to funds. There are no fixed terms, and interest accrues over time.
  • IRA CD – A fixed-term option with higher interest rates than standard savings accounts. Can be a good choice for those who can commit their funds for a set period.

Early withdrawals from an IRA CD can result in penalties, making it important to choose terms that align with your financial plans.

How to Get Started with Discover IRA

  1. Choose your IRA type: Decide between an IRA Savings Account or an IRA CD.
  2. Complete an application: Provide personal details, including Social Security number and employment details.
  3. Fund your account: No minimum deposit is required for IRA Savings and CD accounts.
  4. Monitor your funds: Use Discover’s online banking to track your balance and earnings.

Getting started with a Discover IRA is a straightforward process that can be completed entirely online. Whether you choose an IRA Savings Account or an IRA CD, the process involves minimal paperwork and allows you to manage your retirement savings conveniently.

Since the IRA Savings Account has no minimum deposit requirement, it can be a good option if you want to start small and contribute over time. However, if you opt for an IRA CD, be sure to choose a term length that aligns with your financial goals, as early withdrawals may result in penalties.

Is There a Discover IRA App?

Discover has a mobile banking app that allows you to:

  • Check account balances
  • Transfer funds
  • View interest earnings

The Discover mobile app provides a seamless way to manage your IRA accounts on the go, offering features like balance tracking, fund transfers, and account statements. It’s available on both iOS and Android, where it is highly rated for its ease of use and reliability.

While the app is great for basic account management, it doesn’t include advanced investment tracking or portfolio analysis tools that brokerage apps typically offer. However, for those using Discover IRAs for safe, stable retirement savings, the app provides all the essential banking functions needed to monitor and manage funds conveniently.

How Safe Is It?

Discover Bank is a well-established financial institution. Their IRAs are FDIC-insured up to $250,000, providing strong protection for deposits. Discover also uses industry-standard encryption and multi-factor authentication to secure user accounts.

While Discover doesn’t appear on Trustpilot, its banking services generally receive high ratings from customers on other platforms.

Help & Support

Discover Bank offers 24/7 customer support via phone at 1-800-347-7000. Other support options include:

  • Live chat through their website
  • Email support
  • Comprehensive FAQ section for common IRA-related questions

Support wait times are generally short, with most customers able to reach a representative within a few minutes.

Discover IRA in a Nutshell

Discover IRA is a reliable choice for conservative investors who want low-risk, FDIC-insured retirement savings options. While it lacks diverse investment opportunities like stocks and mutual funds, its high-yield CDs and savings accounts provide stable growth with no monthly fees. If security and predictability are your top priorities, Discover IRA can be a strong option.

Physical Address

Discover Bank

502 E. Market Street, Greenwood, DE 19950

FAQs

Can I have both a Traditional and Roth IRA with Discover?

Yes. You can open both a Traditional and a Roth IRA with Discover, but they will be managed as separate accounts.

Are there any fees for Discover IRA accounts?

There are no monthly maintenance fees for either IRA option. However, early withdrawal penalties apply for IRA CDs.

How do I withdraw money from my Discover IRA?

For an IRA Savings Account, you can withdraw funds without penalties. For an IRA CD, early withdrawals may result in fees, depending on the term length.

Mini-Reviews Section

Discover IRA Savings

✔️ Account Minimum: $0

✔️ Fees: No monthly fees

✔️ Investment Options: Fixed interest savings

Why we chose Discover IRA Savings

This account can be a suitable choice for people who want a flexible, low-risk way to save for retirement without committing to long-term investments.

Our experience

The no minimum deposit requirement makes it easy to open an account, and the competitive interest rates are a solid advantage over regular savings accounts.

✅ No minimum deposit

✅ Easy access to funds

✅ FDIC-insured

❌ Interest rates fluctuate

❌ No investment growth from stocks or funds

Discover IRA CD

✔️ Account Minimum: $0

✔️ Fees: Early withdrawal penalties apply

✔️ Investment Options: Fixed-rate CDs

Why we chose Discover IRA CD

We feel that it’s one of the best options for people who want fixed, predictable returns.

Our experience

Discover IRA CDs offer great interest rates for long-term savers. However, the early withdrawal penalties mean you should be comfortable locking in your funds for a set period.

✅ Competitive fixed rates

✅ Various term lengths

✅ Safe & predictable

❌ Less flexible compared to IRA Savings accounts

❌ Withdrawal penalties apply

Final Thoughts

If you want a safe and stable way to grow your retirement funds, Discover IRA can be a solid choice. However, if you’re looking for market investments like stocks or ETFs, you might need to explore other IRA providers.

Disclaimers:

AI was used in the creation of this content, along with human validation and proofreading.

BestMoney Staff
Written by
Bestmoney Staff
The BestMoney.com editorial team is composed of writers and experts covering a full range of financial services. Our mission is to simplify the process of selecting the right provider for every need, leveraging our extensive industry knowledge to deliver clear, reliable advice.
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