HYSA Real Returns

High-yield savings account — after-tax real performance, 2000–2026

30%

Roth / 0% tax (gold line)

Positive years

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Avg net / yr

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Best year

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Worst year

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Custom rate (purple)

Positive years

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Avg net / yr

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Best year

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Worst year

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Inflation (red bars)

Avg erosion / yr

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Worst year

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Best year (least)

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Period

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After-tax interest (custom rate) Inflation erosion Net real — Roth (0%) Net real — custom rate

Annual tab: After-tax HYSA interest × $10,000 vs. CPI erosion × $10,000; net real lines show the net gain or loss each year.
Cumulative tab: Compound real value of $10,000 from selected start year; “Uninvested” shows $10,000 eroded by inflation with zero interest.
HYSA rates: Top competitive rates estimated from FRED, FDIC data, and Fed funds rate history. Inflation: BLS CPI-U annual averages.