CD rates today are as high as 5.02% depending on the certificate term lengths, offering better yields than high-yield savings accounts.Withdrawal penalties apply if funds are taken out before the CD matures, potentially resulting in loss of interest.For short-term goals, consider three-month CDs with rates up to 4.67% and six-month CDs with rates up to 4.94%.Popular one-year CD terms have rates up to 5.02%, while two-year CDs offer rates up to 4.52%.Awareness of early withdrawal penalties is crucial, especially for five-year CDs where penalties may equal a year's worth of interest.Jumbo CDs with rates up to 4.94% are available for 6-month terms, with varying minimum deposit requirements.Comparison shopping for CD rates is essential, as rates vary between banks and online institutions.CDs offer safer investment options compared to riskier ventures like stocks or real estate, with FDIC and NCUA insurance coverage up to $250,000.Investors can benefit from higher interest rates with CDs while ensuring the security of their funds with federal insurance protection.Certain types of CDs are excluded from rate calculations, emphasizing the importance of understanding the terms and conditions before investing.