1-Yr APY
4.00%
Short answer
SECU's best Share Term Certificate (STC) rate is 4.30% APY on the 18 and 24-month terms, as of October 1, 2026 (ncsecu.org). The 6-month pays 3.85%, and the 12, 30, 36, 48 and 60-month terms all pay 4.00%, each with a $250 minimum. SECU STCs pay simple interest that transfers monthly to another SECU account, so the rate and APY are the same.
SECU calls its CDs Share Term Certificates (STCs). These are the rates on ncsecu.org, effective October 1, 2026:
| STC term | Interest rate and APY | Minimum |
|---|---|---|
| 6 months | 3.85% | $250 |
| 12 months | 4.00% | $250 |
| 18 months | 4.30% | $250 |
| 24 months | 4.30% | $250 |
| 30 months | 4.00% | $250 |
| 36 months | 4.00% | $250 |
| 48 months | 4.00% | $250 |
| 60 months | 4.00% | $250 |
Source: SECU Account Rates and Share Term Certificates pages (ncsecu.org), "Rates as of 10/1/26." Rates on new STCs are fixed for the term and can change daily. Other SECU savings rates the same day: Money Market Share 2.20% APY ($250), IRA/Coverdell/HSA share 3.56% APY, regular Share 0.25%.
Because SECU STCs pay simple daily interest and the interest moves out each month. For 18-month and longer STCs, SECU requires the interest to be paid to another SECU account, so nothing compounds inside the certificate. The 6 and 12-month STCs let you leave the interest in the certificate. If you want compounding, sweep the monthly interest into a Money Market Share or another STC.
SECU's own ladder: open five STCs maturing in 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 months. When each matures it renews into a 60-month STC, so after five years you own five 60-month certificates with one maturing every year. On October 1, 2026 that ladder would start at 4.00% / 4.30% / 4.00% / 4.00% / 4.00%. See the CD ladder builder to size the rungs.
From my desk: Hans Goldstein, licensed insurance producer (NPN 20602398)
When a retired North Carolina teacher or state employee shows me an SECU certificate, I look at two things on SECU's rate page. First, the 18 and 24-month STCs pay 4.30% while everything from 30 to 60 months pays 4.00% (October 1, 2026). Going longer earns less, so I only go past two years if the money really is long-term.
Second, SECU's interest on longer STCs has to leave the certificate every month. That is fine for income, but it means the 4.00% is not compounding unless you move it somewhere that earns.
Example ($250,000, 5 years, before taxes): the 60-month STC at 4.00% pays about $10,000 a year of interest out to you, about $50,000 over five years if spent. A 5-year MYGA at 5.50% (low end of the A-rated range, public carrier rate sheets, October 14, 2026) compounds tax-deferred to about $326,700. The MYGA rate is guaranteed by the issuing insurer and backed by its claims-paying ability, not the NCUA, and has surrender charges. Compare with Navy Federal certificate rates and CD vs MYGA.
Restricted: NC state government employees (current/retired), educators, and family. No national workaround.
The workaround: Must be NC state employee/retiree, educator, or family member.
Federally insured credit unions are legally required to limit membership to a defined "field of membership," but many CUs structure their bylaws to make joining easy via a small donation, a free non-profit membership, or a low-fee sponsor-organization sign-up. The donation/sponsor approach lets you become an Associate Member, which qualifies you for the same accounts and rates as direct-eligibility members. Once you've opened a small share savings account ($5-$50 typical), you can open share certificates online in minutes.
If you can't qualify for SECU NC membership, the most accessible national CUs are Alliant (Foster Care to Success $5 donation), Bethpage ($5 savings account, no donation needed), and Connexus ($5 Connexus Association donation).
At the 1-year share-certificate term, this is how SECU NC compares with other large credit unions and the best national CDs, each dated:
| Institution | 1-Year APY |
|---|---|
| SECU NC, 12-month STC (10/1/2026) | 4.00% |
| Navy Federal, standard 12-month certificate (10/3/2026, $1,000 tier) | 4.05% |
| PenFed, 1-year Money Market Certificate (10/1/2026) | 2.90% |
| Top nationally available 1-year CDs (DepositAccounts, 9/25/2026) | 4.35% to 4.50% |
Credit unions often beat banks on share-certificate rates by 10-30 basis points at the same term. That's the structural advantage of being non-profit and member-owned. They return profits to members in the form of better rates, lower fees, and lower loan APRs rather than to shareholders. But not every CU does this well. Restricted-membership CUs sometimes coast on rate; open-eligibility CUs (Alliant, Bethpage, Connexus) compete harder because they have to attract members nationally.
For an apples-to-apples comparison versus the highest online bank CDs (Marcus, Synchrony, Discover, Ally), see Best 5-Year CD Rates 2026 and Credit Union vs Bank CD: structural differences.
A Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuity (MYGA) is the insurance-industry equivalent of a CD: a fixed rate locked for a fixed term, with no market loss on principal, backed by the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurer and your state's guaranty association (limits vary). At the 5-year term, A-rated MYGAs topped out around 5.50% to 6.05% (public carrier rate sheets, October 14, 2026), versus SECU's 4.00% 60-month STC (October 1, 2026).
Math at $250,000 over 5 years (annual compounding, before taxes; SECU interest compounds only if you sweep it into another account):
MYGAs also defer tax on interest until withdrawal. CDs and share certificates are taxed annually as ordinary income whether you touch the interest or not. For taxable retirement money you don't plan to withdraw for 5+ years, the MYGA usually comes out ahead on math. The trade-off: MYGAs have a fixed surrender schedule (usually 5-10 years), while share certificates have shorter penalty periods. See CD vs MYGA Comparison for the full side-by-side.
Yes. The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) insures federally chartered and most state-chartered credit unions up to $250,000 per depositor, per ownership category, the same coverage limit as FDIC. The two agencies use different funds (the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund vs. the Deposit Insurance Fund), but both are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. In 50+ years of credit union history, no depositor has ever lost a penny of NCUA-insured funds.
What to verify before opening: confirm SECU NC's NCUA-insured status at ncua.gov/research using NCUA charter #66554. If you have more than $250K with one CU, restructure into joint, IRA, or trust ownership categories to expand coverage. Each category gets its own $250K limit.
State Employees Credit Union (NC) is a legitimate NCUA-insured CU with a rate sheet that's competitive within the CU peer group. The 1-year rate is solid; the 5-year rate is meaningfully behind A-rated MYGAs. If you're a member by direct eligibility (or you've used a $5 workaround), the short-term certificates are a fine place for money you might need in 12-24 months. For 5+ year money, run the MYGA math first.
And remember: most CUs auto-renew at the rate posted on the renewal date, which is often well below the promotional rate you got at opening. Set a calendar reminder 30 days before maturity to compare current rates and decide whether to renew, withdraw, or move the money to a MYGA.
4.00% APY on the 12-month Share Term Certificate, as of October 1, 2026 (ncsecu.org). The best SECU rate the same day was 4.30% on 18 and 24 months.
4.30% APY on the 18-month and 24-month Share Term Certificates, $250 minimum, as of October 1, 2026.
SECU NC is restricted to current or retired North Carolina state government employees, NC public school and community college employees, employees of certain qualifying NC organizations, and immediate family of existing members. There's no donation-based workaround for non-NC-state employees. Out-of-state buyers should look at Alliant or Bethpage.
Yes. Federally insured credit unions are insured by the NCUA (National Credit Union Administration) to $250,000 per depositor, per ownership category. That is the same coverage limit and federal backing as FDIC. The two agencies use different funds, but both are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.
SECU says it generally charges 90 days of interest on the principal, or all interest earned, whichever is less, if an STC is canceled before maturity. There is no penalty if you cancel during the grace period after maturity.
$250. NCUA insurance covers up to $250,000 per depositor per CU; if you have more than that, split between institutions or use joint-account titling to expand coverage.
Only if you choose it. SECU lets the principal transfer out at maturity or renew for the same term at the then-offered rate, and it sends a notice about 14 days before maturity. Set a calendar reminder; the auto-renewed rate is often below promotional or jumbo-tier rates available at maturity.
At the 5-year term, A-rated MYGAs topped out around 5.50% to 6.05% (public carrier rate sheets, October 14, 2026) versus SECU's 4.00% 60-month STC (October 1, 2026), a gap of about 1.80 points a year. MYGAs are tax-deferred (interest isn't taxed until withdrawal); CDs are taxed annually. The trade-offs: MYGAs have a surrender schedule (usually 5-10 years), while CDs let you exit with an interest-only penalty. For taxable retirement money you don't need to touch for 5+ years, the MYGA usually wins on math.
This review reflects publicly posted credit-union rates and APYs as of 2026-10-01 (ncsecu.org). Share-certificate rates change frequently. Confirm current rates directly with State Employees Credit Union (NC) 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. State Employees Credit Union (NC) is NCUA-insured to $250,000 per depositor, per ownership category, the same coverage limit and federal backing as FDIC. Hans Goldstein is an independent licensed insurance producer (NPN 20602398) appointed with multiple A-rated annuity carriers; he is NOT a credit union employee, broker-dealer, or registered representative, and is not paid by State Employees Credit Union (NC) for this review. No compensation has been received from State Employees Credit Union (NC) 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 share-certificate disclosure or annuity contract before purchasing.
Hans Goldstein is an Enrolled Agent, admitted to practice before the Internal Revenue Service. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the IRS. General education, not tax or legal advice for your situation.