Changes to our taxable money market fund lineup | Vanguard (2024)

Editor’s note: The original announcement introducing these changes previously ran in August 2020 and was revised on September 29, 2020.

To help give investors the best chance for investment success, we continuously assess our fund lineup. In certain instances and after careful deliberation, we find even our most well-known funds must evolve to better serve our clients.

We recently announced changes to our Prime Money Market Fund that aim to better support your needs for principal preservation and liquidity, while still seeking to provide a competitive yield over the long term.

Key changes

Effective September 29, Vanguard Prime Money Market Fund has a new name and investment strategy, and a change to its Investor share class. Here are the details of the changes:

  • We’ve changed the fund’s name to Vanguard Cash Reserves Federal Money Market Fund.
  • We’ve updated the fund’s prospectus to reflect its new investment strategy, which focuses almost exclusively on cash investments, U.S. government securities, and/or repurchase agreements collateralized solely by U.S. government securities or cash.
  • We’ve closed the fund’s Investor share class to new investors. Investor Shares remain available for additional purchases by current shareholders, but we’ll be phasing the Investor share class out in the months ahead. Clients can invest in the fund’s Admiral™ Shares, whose investment minimum was lowered to $3,000 in late August, making more than 1 million shareholders eligible for the lower-cost share class (0.10% for Admiral Shares compared with 0.16% for Investor Shares).

What you need to do

Current Investor Shares (VMMXX) owners:You have the option to convert Investor Shares immediately to Admiral Shares to begin taking advantage of the lower expense ratio. Here are simplestep-by-step instructions. If you don’t initiate a conversion, we expect to convert your shares automatically around late April through August 2021.Note:Our checkwriting service isn’t available for the fund’s Admiral share class and won’t carry over on conversion to the Admiral share class. Checkwriting is available for Vanguard Federal Money Market Fund and other Vanguard money market funds.

Current Admiral Shares (VMRXX) owners:You don’t need to take any action.

Vanguard Personal Advisor clients who own Investor Shares (VMMXX):We’ll convert your Investor Shares automatically to Admiral Shares during the next quarterly rebalance. Contact an advisor if you have questions about this transition.Note:Our checkwriting service isn’t available for the fund’s Admiral share class. Checkwriting is available for Vanguard Federal Money Market Fund and other Vanguard money market funds.

Background

Vanguard Cash Reserves Federal Money Market Fund is designated as a government money market fund, which is expected to reduce the fund’s credit risk and strengthen its liquidity.

A government money market fund must hold at least 99.5% of its assets in cash, U.S. government securities, and/or repurchase agreements collateralized solely by U.S. government securities or cash. By contrast, a retail prime money market fund may invest heavily in certain securities issued by companies—most commonly, commercial paper—as well as securities issued by the U.S. government and other money market securities.

With these changes, Vanguard seeks to continue to deliver a money market fund with yields highly competitive to prime money market fund yields, while providing the safety and security of a portfolio of government securities. Our formula is as simple as it has been successful: prudent management and low costs.

Changes to our taxable money market fund lineup | Vanguard (2024)

FAQs

What replaced the Vanguard Prime money market fund? ›

Vanguard Prime Money Market Fund will be reorganized into a government money market fund and renamed Vanguard Cash Reserves Federal Money Market Fund.

What is the rule 2a 7 for money market funds? ›

Rule 2a-7 is the principal rule governing money market funds. Currently, the rule requires that immediately after acquisition of an asset, a money market fund must hold at least 10% of its total assets in daily liquid assets and at least 30% of its total assets in weekly liquid assets.

What is the highest yielding MMF fund? ›

Here are the best money market account rates:

Sallie Mae Bank: APY: 4.15%, Minimum balance to open: $0. Ally Bank: APY: 4.00%, Minimum balance to open account: $0. TIAA Bank: APY: 1.90%-4.25%**, Minimum balance to open: $500. Discover Bank: APY: 3.80%-3.85%***, Minimum balance to open: $2,500.

What is the taxability of money market funds? ›

Income generated by a money market fund can be either taxable or tax-exempt, depending on the types of securities in which the fund invests. Regulations from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) define 3 categories of money market funds based on investments of the fund—government, prime, and municipal.

Why investors are pulling money from Vanguard? ›

Johnson says it could be clients pulling out money because they're retiring, or because they're negatively affected by the pandemic. Perhaps some are opting for active management as the markets become more volatile.

What are the risks of prime money market fund? ›

Because they invest in fixed income securities, money market funds and ultra-short duration funds are subject to three main risks: interest rate risk, liquidity risk and credit risk.

Should I put all my money in a money market fund? ›

Money market investing can be very advantageous, especially if you need a short-term, relatively safe place to park cash. Some disadvantages are low returns, a loss of purchasing power, and that some money market investments are not FDIC insured.

What is the 3 fund rule? ›

A three-fund portfolio isn't complex. It just means choosing one representative fund to include in your portfolio from the domestic stock, international stock and bond categories. These funds can all belong to the same family or come from different mutual fund companies.

What is the money market reform rule? ›

Money market reform is a set of SEC rule amendments meant to address any potential financial instability that could be caused by money market funds.

What is the safest type of money market fund? ›

Prime money market funds.

U.S. government money market funds are typically regarded as the safest of the three, and within that category, those with a high concentration of Treasuries—with full government backing—would be exposed to a lower likelihood of default risk.

Are money market funds safe in a recession? ›

Money market funds can protect your assets during a recession, but only as a temporary fix and not for long-term growth. In times of economic uncertainty, money market funds offer liquidity for cash reserves that can help you build your portfolio.

What is the most aggressive American fund? ›

AFIFX is often the most aggressive of the American funds, yet it's still slightly less volatile than the S&P 500. The fund has topped the index by an average of 76 basis points (a basis point is one one-hundredth of a percent) per year over the past 15 years.

What are two disadvantages of a money market fund? ›

Disadvantages of a Money Market Account
  • Returns May Be Lower Than Other Investments. Investing is all about netting potential returns. ...
  • Your Financial Institution May Limit Convenient Withdrawals. ...
  • There May Be Minimum Balance Requirements.
Mar 18, 2023

What is the best tax free money fund? ›

The the top three tax-exempt money market funds ranked by 1-year total return are the Fidelity SAI Municipal Money Market (FMQXX), Vanguard Municipal Money Market Inv (VMSXX), and Invesco Treasurer's Ser Tr Prem TxEx Ins (PEIXX).

Can money market funds have capital gains? ›

There are two ways in which investors can earn from money market funds: dividend income and capital gains. From financial year 2020-21 investors will pay tax on dividend as per their tax bracket. Capital gain is the difference between price at which units were purchased and price at which they were redeemed or sold.

What happens if Vanguard collapses? ›

Vanguard is paid by the funds to provide administration and other services. If Vanguard ever did go bankrupt, the funds would not be affected and would simply hire another firm to provide these services.

How can I double my money without risk? ›

5 Ways to Double Your Money
  1. Take Advantage of 401(k) Matching.
  2. Invest in Value and Growth Stocks.
  3. Increase Your Contributions.
  4. Consider Alternative Investments.
  5. Be Patient.
Nov 1, 2022

Is it safe to have all my money at Vanguard? ›

Money market funds and other securities held in the Vanguard Brokerage Account are eligible for SIPC coverage. Securities in your brokerage account are protected up to $500,000. To learn more, visit the SIPC's website. Up to $250,000 by FDIC insurance.

Why is my money market account losing money? ›

While money market accounts typically offer higher interest rates than traditional savings accounts, those may not be high enough to keep up with inflation. This means that the purchasing power of your money will decline over time, even if the account balance remains the same.

Which funds has the highest risk? ›

Ans. Equity Mutual Funds as a category are considered 'High Risk' investment products. An Equity Fund is considered to be a high-risk, high return fund. Equity funds invest in stocks/shares of companies.

How safe are money market funds today? ›

As investments go, money market funds are generally considered quite safe, although they are not entirely risk free. While money market accounts are FDIC insured up to $250,000 per account, per depositor, there's no FDIC coverage on a money market mutual fund.

How long should I keep money in a money market fund? ›

Six to 12 months of living expenses are typically recommended for the amount of money that should be kept in cash in these types of accounts for unforeseen emergencies and life events. Beyond that, the money is essentially sitting and losing its value.

Are CDs safer than money market funds? ›

Both money market funds and CDs are relatively safe, fixed income investments, delivering an income stream in the form of interest or dividends. Money market funds are generally more liquid than bank or brokered CDs.

How much cash should you keep in money market account? ›

First, though, make sure you have enough cash set aside to cover three to six months of your living expenses. It's best to keep an emergency fund in a safe, protected account — like an MMA — rather than invest it in riskier vehicles. Once you meet that threshold, you can consider other, higher-growth opportunities.

What is the 90% rule for mutual funds? ›

The 90/10 rule in investing is a comment made by Warren Buffett regarding asset allocation. The rule stipulates investing 90% of one's investment capital towards low-cost stock-based index funds and the remainder 10% to short-term government bonds.

What is Rule 72 in savings? ›

Do you know the Rule of 72? It's an easy way to calculate just how long it's going to take for your money to double. Just take the number 72 and divide it by the interest rate you hope to earn. That number gives you the approximate number of years it will take for your investment to double.

What is the fund 80% rule? ›

As adopted in 2001, the Names Rule requires a fund with a name that suggests investment in certain types of investments, industries, countries, or geographical regions to adopt an 80% Policy to invest, under normal circ*mstances, at least 80% of the value of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for ...

Has Vanguard money market ever lost money? ›

Can I lose money when I invest in money market funds? Yes. Although money market funds seek to maintain a stable $1 share price, capital preservation is not guaranteed.

How many money market funds have broken the buck? ›

"Breaking the buck" means that investors would lose money in a fund sold as being extremely safe. Officially, only two money funds have broken the buck. The first was a small institutional fund in 1994. The collapse of the Reserve Fund in September 2008, triggered by the Lehman Bros.

What is rule 2a 5 money market funds? ›

Under Rule 2a-5, a market quotation is “readily available” only when the quotation is a quoted price (unadjusted) in active markets for identical instruments that the fund can access at the measurement date, provided that even such a quotation is not considered to be "readily available" if it is not reliable.

What is better than a money market? ›

CD rates are typically higher than money market account rates. Banks have an incentive to give you better rates for CDs because you promise to give up access to your money until the end of the CD term. What's the difference between a CD and a mutual fund? Which is safer: CDs or MMAs?

Should I take my money out of the bank 2023? ›

Do no withdraw cash. Despite the recent uncertainty, experts don't recommend withdrawing cash from your account. Keeping your money in financial institutions rather than in your home is safer, especially when the amount is insured. "It's not a time to pull your money out of the bank," Silver said.

What is a better investment than money market? ›

Short-term bonds can be relatively low-risk, predictable income. Stronger returns can be realized when compared to money markets. Some bonds even come tax-free. A short-term bond offers a higher potential yield than money market funds.

Can you lose principal in a money market account? ›

Since money market accounts are insured by the FDIC or the NCUA, you cannot lose the money you contribute to the account—even in the event of a bank failure.

Where is the safest place to put my money? ›

What are the safest types of investments? U.S. Treasury securities, money market mutual funds and high-yield savings accounts are considered by most experts to be the safest types of investments available.

Can banks seize your money if economy fails? ›

(Kitco News) - A bank can legally confiscate its clients' money in the event it needs to stay afloat, and most retail investors are not aware of this, said Lynette Zang, Chief Marketing Analyst at ITM Trading, who stressed that such legislation is already codified in the Dodd-Frank Act.

What is the largest money market fund in the world? ›

The largest institutional money fund is the JPMorgan Prime Money Market Fund, with over US$100 billion in assets. Among the largest companies offering institutional money funds are BlackRock, Western Asset, Federated Investors, Bank of America, Dreyfus, AIM and Evergreen (Wachovia).

What is the best performing fund in the world? ›

Top 10 Performing Funds in 2022
FundAnalyst RatingCategory
Ruffer Total Return Intl USD CapBronzeUSD Flexible Allocation
JPM Latin America EquityNeutralLatin America Equity
Winton Diversified UCITSNeutralMultistrategy EUR
Man GLG Japan CoreAlphaNeutralJapan Large-Cap Equity
6 more rows
Jan 5, 2023

Which American funds pay the highest dividends? ›

8 top dividend index funds to buy
FundDividend YieldRisk Level
iShares Core High Dividend ETF (NYSEMKT:HDV)3.57%Below Average
ProShares S&P 500 Aristocrats ETF (NYSEMKT:NOBL)1.94%Below Average
Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (NYSEMKT:SCHD)3.39%Below Average
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (NYSEMKT:VYM)3.00%Below Average
5 more rows

What is the average return on a money market account? ›

Average money market rates fall between 0.01% APY and 3.45% APY, again depending on your balance. Below, we've listed a number of popular banks and given a range of their basic money market account rates. Again, your rate will depend on your account balance.

Should I put my savings in a money market account? ›

If you don't have a lot of money to start with, a savings account makes sense because it's possible to find accounts that don't require minimums. If you want to earn a higher APY and you can meet a higher account minimum, a money market account is a good choice.

Are mutual funds safer than money market accounts? ›

Risk. Both money market accounts and money market mutual funds are considered low-risk investment options. Of the two, the money market account is the lower risk, because it is simply a savings account with a high interest rate.

How do I get a $10000 tax refund 2023? ›

How to Get the Biggest Tax Refund in 2023
  1. Select the right filing status.
  2. Don't overlook dependent care expenses.
  3. Itemize deductions when possible.
  4. Contribute to a traditional IRA.
  5. Max out contributions to a health savings account.
  6. Claim a credit for energy-efficient home improvements.
  7. Consult with a new accountant.
Jan 24, 2023

What investments are tax-free for retirees? ›

Roth IRA or Roth 401(k) – Roth IRAs and Roth 401(k)s have tax-free qualified withdrawals at retirement since taxes are paid on contributions. Municipal Bonds Income – A fixed-income investment that generates interest payments that are typically exempt from federal taxes.

Is it better to invest in a tax-free or a taxable mutual fund? ›

Whether or not a taxable fund is a better choice for you will depend in large part on how much of your returns are likely to go directly to federal, state, and local taxes at the end of the year and whether you are subject to the alternative minimum tax.

How is money market fund taxed? ›

Money market funds are divided into two categories: taxable and tax-free. If you're buying a taxable fund, any returns from the fund are generally subject to regular state and federal taxes.

Are money market funds fully taxable? ›

Money market mutual funds are among the lowest-volatility types of investments. Income generated by a money market fund is either taxable or tax-exempt, depending on the types of securities the fund invests in.

What is the symbol for Vanguard Prime money market fund? ›

VMFXX-Vanguard Federal Money Market Fund. Vanguard.

Is Vanguard Prime money market fund safe? ›

Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it cannot guarantee it will do so. An investment in the Fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Is Vmmxx closed to new investors? ›

VMMXX is closed to new investors but the Vanguard Cash Reserves Federal Money Market Fund Admiral Shares (VMRXX), which has a lower expense ratio of 0.10%, is open to new shareholders.

What is the difference between a prime fund and a money market fund? ›

Money market funds that primarily invest in corporate debt securities are referred to as prime funds. In addition, money market funds are often structured to cater to different types of investors. Some funds are intended for retail investors, while other funds are intended for institutional investors.

What is the current interest rate for the Vanguard money market fund? ›

Total returns
as of 04/30/20231 MONTHYTD as of 05/26/2023
VMFXX0.39%1.86%
BenchmarkU.S. Government Money Market Funds Average20.35%— 3

Why are money market funds closed to new investors? ›

Understanding Closed to New Investors

The decision to close a fund to new investors is not an easy one to make, since the fund is potentially giving up a significant amount of management fee income. Funds generally close for one of two reasons. The fund may be closing due to low performance or low demand.

What is the Vanguard Federal money market settlement fund? ›

Your settlement fund is used to pay for and receive proceeds from brokerage transactions, including Vanguard ETFs®, in your Vanguard Brokerage Account.

Which is better SPAXX or Fdrxx? ›

Although their composition allocation is not exactly the same, they're mostly identical with very similar yield and historical returns. FDRXX used to have a higher expense ratio, but now seems to be lower than SPAXX.

Is it safe to keep more than $500000 in a brokerage account? ›

Is it safe to keep more than $500,000 in a brokerage account? It is safe in the sense that there are measures in place to help investors recoup their investments before the SIPC steps in. And, indeed, the SIPC will not get involved until the liquidation process starts.

What stock symbol is Vmmxx? ›

VMMXX-Vanguard Cash Reserves Federal Money Market Fund | Vanguard.

What is Vanguard's newest fund? ›

Vanguard announced plans to launch a new, broad market international bond index fund, Vanguard Total International Bond II. The fund will serve as the international fixed income component for the firm's industry-leading Vanguard Target Retirement series and LifeStrategy Funds.

Should I put my savings in a money market fund? ›

When saving for a financial goal, it's important to make sure you're utilizing the most beneficial investment type for your goal based on its time horizon. Money market funds make the most sense for short-term goals and generally should not be used for long-term investing, such as retirement.

Which is better money market fund or money market account? ›

Interest. Money market funds typically earn interest slightly higher than a money market or savings account. Access. Unlike a money market account, investors don't have access to funds through debit cards or check-writing privileges.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Maia Crooks Jr

Last Updated:

Views: 5933

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (43 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Maia Crooks Jr

Birthday: 1997-09-21

Address: 93119 Joseph Street, Peggyfurt, NC 11582

Phone: +2983088926881

Job: Principal Design Liaison

Hobby: Web surfing, Skiing, role-playing games, Sketching, Polo, Sewing, Genealogy

Introduction: My name is Maia Crooks Jr, I am a homely, joyous, shiny, successful, hilarious, thoughtful, joyous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.