Navy Federal 5-Year Certificate Rate (September 2026): 3.85%-3.90% APY
Written & reviewed by Hans Goldstein, EA, independent licensed insurance producer · CA license 4273294 · NPN 20602398Admitted to practice before the IRS
Rates checked against navyfederal.org on September 24, 2026 · Updated
Navy Federal's 5-year standard certificate pays 3.85% APY with $1,000 or $20,000, and 3.90% with $100,000 or more, as of September 24, 2026. That is less than Navy Federal pays on its own 18-month and 3-year certificates (4.10%-4.15%), so the 5-year is not where NFCU pays best.
Navy Federal certificate rates, full ladder
| Term | $1K min APY | $20K min APY | $100K min APY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 months | 1.50% | 1.50% | 1.55% |
| 12 months | 4.05% | 4.05% | 4.10% |
| 18 months | 4.10% | 4.10% | 4.15% |
| 24 months | 3.66% | 3.66% | 3.70% |
| 3 years | 4.10% | 4.10% | 4.15% |
| 5 years | 3.85% | 3.85% | 3.90% |
| 7 years | 3.85% | 3.85% | 3.90% |
How the NFCU 5-year compares
| 5-year option | APY | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Navy Federal 5-year ($1K / $100K+) | 3.85% / 3.90% | Sept 24, 2026 |
| Capital One 360 60-month CD | 3.60% | Sept 24, 2026 |
| Best nationally available 5-year CDs | 4.35%-4.50% | Sept 24, 2026 |
| A-rated-or-better 5-year MYGAs | ~5.50%-6.05% | October 14, 2026 |
Pros and cons
- Pro: NCUA insurance to $250,000 per member, per ownership category.
- Pro: $1,000 minimum, no maximum; same rates inside an IRA.
- Con: the curve is flat to inverted. Five and seven years pay 3.85% to 3.90%, less than 18 months or 3 years.
- Con: membership is limited to the armed forces, Department of Defense, veterans and their families.
- Con: interest is taxed every year as ordinary income.
Navy Federal 5-year certificate vs. a 5-year MYGA
| $250,000 for 5 years | Navy Federal 5-yr ($100K+) | 5-yr MYGA at 5.50% |
|---|---|---|
| Rate | 3.90% APY | 5.50% (fixed for the term) |
| Tax on interest | Every year (1099-INT) | Deferred until withdrawn |
| Value after 5 years, after 24% federal tax | ~$289,300 | ~$308,300 (tax paid at the end) |
| Protection | NCUA, $250K per ownership category | Insurer claims-paying ability + state guaranty association (limits vary by state) |
| Getting out early | Interest penalty | Surrender charge above the free-withdrawal amount; IRS 10% penalty before 59½ |
About $19,000 more after tax on the MYGA (24% federal bracket, state tax ignored). For money you need inside three years, or that must stay NCUA-insured, the certificate is the right tool. Fixed annuity benchmark: carriers rated A or better topped out around 5.50% to 6.05% on 5-year compound-interest MYGAs, per public carrier rate sheets, October 14, 2026. Rates vary by state, premium and carrier.
Related: Navy Federal CD rates, all terms · Navy Federal IRA certificates · PenFed vs Navy Federal
Navy Federal 5-year certificate: FAQ
What is the Navy Federal 5-year certificate rate?
3.85% APY with $1,000 or $20,000, and 3.90% APY with $100,000 or more, as of September 24, 2026 (navyfederal.org). The same rates apply to Share, IRA and ESA certificates.
Is the Navy Federal 5-year certificate a good rate?
It is below the best in the market. Navy Federal's own 18-month and 3-year certificates pay more (4.10%-4.15%), and the best nationally available 5-year CDs paid about 4.35%-4.50% APY on September 24, 2026.
What is the minimum for a Navy Federal standard certificate?
$1,000, with no maximum balance. Rates step up slightly at $20,000 and $100,000; on the 5-year the $100,000 tier adds 0.05%.
Is there a penalty to cash out a Navy Federal certificate early?
Yes. Navy Federal states that penalties apply to early withdrawals from certificates; the amount depends on the term and is in the account disclosure. Confirm it before you open.
Are Navy Federal certificates insured?
Yes. Navy Federal is a federal credit union; certificates are insured by the NCUA up to $250,000 per member, per ownership category.
Navy Federal 5-year certificate or a 5-year MYGA?
For money you will not touch for five years, a MYGA usually pays more: 3.90% at Navy Federal ($100K+) versus roughly 5.50%-6.05% from A-rated-or-better insurers on October 14, 2026, and MYGA interest is tax-deferred. On $250,000 (24% federal bracket) that is about $19,000 more after tax. The certificate wins on NCUA insurance and liquidity.
My take
At 3.85% to 3.90%, Navy Federal's 5-year is a safe place for insured money but not a high rate. Members get more from NFCU's 18-month or 3-year terms, and five-year money that does not need NCUA coverage earns materially more in a MYGA.
Hans Goldstein is an independent licensed insurance producer (CA license 4273294, NPN 20602398) and is not affiliated with Navy Federal Credit Union. Rates are copied from the sources named, as of the date shown; confirm the current rate before opening. MYGA figures are illustrations, not quotes.
Disclosure
This review reflects publicly posted bank rates and approximate APYs as of 2026-06-27. CD rates change frequently. Confirm current rates directly with Navy Federal Credit Union before opening an account. This article is general information for educational purposes; it is not a personalized recommendation, solicitation, or offer of any specific banking or insurance product. Navy Federal Credit Union is FDIC- or NCUA-insured to the limits stated; coverage is per depositor, per ownership category. Hans Goldstein is an independent licensed insurance producer (NPN 20602398) appointed with multiple A-rated annuity carriers; he is NOT a bank employee, broker-dealer, or registered representative, and is not paid by Navy Federal Credit Union for this review. No compensation has been received from Navy Federal Credit Union in connection with this content. MYGA comparisons reference rates from A-rated carriers as of the date stated; carrier rates change monthly. Always read the actual CD disclosure or annuity contract before purchasing.