Savings Simulator vs CDI - Investment Comparison
Simulate and compare the net income from the savings account with investments indexed to the CDI (such as CDB, LCI and LCA) tax-free.
What is the purpose?
This calculator compares the real net income of the savings account with fixed income investments linked to the CDI (CDB, LCI, LCA, Treasury Selic) for the same term and initial capital, showing the difference in reais and the higher percentage of each alternative.
Formula Used
The simulator calculates the income compounded month by month:
- Savings Income:
- If annual Selic
≤ 8.5\%: Savings Rate =70\%of the Selic rate + TR. - If annual Selic
> 8.5\%: Savings Rate =0.5\%per month + TR.
- CDI yield:
- CDI rate = CDI reference rate
×Contracted percentage. M_{CDI} = P × (1 + i_{CDI})n
- Regressive IR taxation on CDI profit:
- Up to 6 months: 22.5% | 7 to 12 months: 20% | 13 to 24 months: 17.5% | Over 24 months: 15%.
How to interpret the result?
The simulator displays the final values accumulated in each type of investment, demonstrating the gross gain, tax deduction and the final net difference in favor of the CDI.
Practical Examples
Initial investment of 10.000,00 e depósitos mensais de 500.00 for 12 months (CDI at 100% of the rate of 10.4% per year, Selic at 10.5%):
- Total capital invested: $ 16,000.00
- Accumulated net savings: $ 16,531.20
- Accumulated net CDB/CDI (with 20% IR discount on profits): $ 16,712.40
- Difference: $ 181.20 more profit on the CDI.
Usage Tips
- For short terms (emergency reserve), the CDI with daily liquidity is usually the best alternative.
- Pay attention to the fact that LCI and LCA bonds do not incur income tax, making them even more advantageous in direct comparison.
Important Observations
The simulated market values use fixed projections of the Selic and CDI rates, and may undergo real changes in accordance with national monetary policy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is CDB as safe as savings?
Yes. Both are protected and guaranteed by the FGC (Credit Guarantee Fund) for amounts of up to $250,000.00 per CPF and per financial institution.
What does '100% of CDI' mean?
It means that the investment yields exactly the same variation in the CDI rate accumulated over the period (market rate very close to the official Selic rate).
What currently yields more: savings or 100% of the CDI?
Historically, with the Selic rate above 8.5% per year, investments linked to 100% of the CDI (such as CDBs with daily liquidity) yield substantially more than savings accounts, even after the Income Tax discount.
Are there taxes on savings income?
No. The savings account is completely exempt from Income Tax (IR) and IOF (after 30 days of application) for individual investors in Brazil.
How does the savings calculation rule work?
Savings remuneration follows two rules: when the Selic rate is above 8.5% per year, savings yield 0.5% per month plus TR (Reference Rate). When Selic is equal to or below 8.5% per year, savings yield 70% of Selic plus TR. Savings only pay off on the anniversary date of the deposit (every 30 days), so withdrawals before the anniversary do not receive income for the current period.
Is savings guaranteed by the FGC?
Yes. Savings are guaranteed by the FGC (Credit Guarantee Fund) up to $ 250.000 por CPF por instituição financeira. Isso inclui o principal depositado mais os rendimentos acumulados. Para valores acima desse limite, o excedente não está garantido em caso de falência da instituição. O FGC cobre um total de até $ 1 million per CPF in all banks combined, with a 4-year renewal period.
Is it worth migrating from savings to the Selic Treasury?
In most scenarios yes. The Treasury Selic yields close to 100% of the CDI (with a custody fee of 0.20% per year) and has daily liquidity — the redemption goes into the account on the next business day. Savings, as they yield between 70% and 85% of the CDI depending on the Selic level, lose significantly in the long term. For those who use savings as an emergency reserve, the Treasury Selic is superior in terms of profitability with equivalent risk.
Is there any case in which savings are better than CDB?
In rare scenarios: if the CDB offered yields less than 70% of the CDI with IR charge, it may yield less than the IR-exempt savings. Furthermore, for redemptions within a period of less than 30 days (before the savings anniversary), CDBs with daily liquidity are better. For amounts above $250,000, savings are guaranteed by the FGC, fragmented by institution, while Tesouro Direto is guaranteed by the federal government (with no value limit).