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Cash Sweep Rate Gap Calculator

Find how much interest your brokerage sweep account may be costing you compared to higher-yielding cash alternatives.

Quick answer: See how much interest brokerage sweep cash may be leaving behind compared with a better high-yield cash option. Enter Sweep cash balance, Current sweep APY, Better cash APY, and Tax rate to personalize the estimate. It returns Annual rate gap, Period opportunity, and After-tax opportunity so you can compare the impact before choosing a next step. Use it to compare cash flow, interest, liquidity, and next-account choices before moving money.

SWReviewed by SwitchWize Research Desk · Last reviewed June 23, 2026
Annual Rate Gap
$1,453
Annual Rate Gap
$1,453
Sweep Interest
$88
Better Cash Interest
$1,540
Gap Over Selected Period
$1,453
Cash earnings over selected period
$1,540total
Current sweep$88
Extra available$1,453
Total$1,540
After-Tax Opportunity
$1,017
Diagnostic

The entered alternative produces an annual cash-sweep gap of $1,453 before taxes.

After tax and over your selected period, that is about $1,017 of usable opportunity.

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Share this result

On $35,000 in sweep cash, the gap between 0.25% and 4.40% APY is about $1,453 per year before tax.

What to do next

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Your action plan
  1. 1

    Compare the leading option against your current setup

    See how much interest brokerage sweep cash may be leaving behind compared with a better high-yield cash option.

  2. 2

    Compare the result against current market-rate options

    Assumptions change the answer, especially when rates, taxes, or timing matter.

  3. 3

    Save the result to Money Map or use the linked next action

    Turn the result into a prioritized action instead of treating it as a one-off number.

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This is an educational estimate, not tax, legal, investment, or lending advice. Confirm with a qualified professional or the provider before acting.

Calculator action path

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Guide
Banking Basics: How to Pick the Right Accounts inA complete guide to banking in 2026: compare checking, savings, money market, and CD accounts, avoid hidden fees, and maximize your interest with smarter choices.
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Reviewed Sep 22, 2026 · Methodology

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Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know.

What does an example Cash Sweep Rate Gap Calculator calculation look like?
Using this calculator's own default assumptions, a sweep cash balance of $35,000, current sweep apy of 0.25% and better cash apy of 4.4% produces an estimated annual rate gap of $1,453 and sweep interest of $88. Enter your own numbers above to see how it changes for your situation.
Why does tax rate matter for idle cash sitting in savings?
Interest earned on cash is taxable income regardless of whether the account is a brokerage, savings account, or money market fund. Your combined tax rate reduces the after-tax interest you actually keep, which is the meaningful comparison when deciding between options. A higher tax rate increases the importance of earning a better rate on your cash.
Does it make sense to move sweep cash if the rate gap is small?
That depends on the size of your balance and how long the cash sits idle. A small rate gap on a large balance over a long period can still represent significant lost interest after taxes. Conversely, a large gap on cash you'll spend within weeks may not justify the effort of moving it. This calculator shows you the total opportunity cost so you can decide whether it's worth acting on.
Is the Cash Sweep Rate Gap Calculator free to use?
Yes. SwitchWize calculators are free, and you do not need an account to run scenarios or view the result.
Does using the Cash Sweep Rate Gap Calculator affect my credit score?
No. Using a calculator does not trigger a credit check. A credit impact can occur only if you apply directly with a lender, card issuer, or provider.
Are the results personalized financial advice?
No. Calculator outputs are educational estimates based on the inputs you enter. Review assumptions and confirm terms directly with providers before making a financial decision.
What should I do after seeing the result?
Use the recommendation module on this page to compare better cash options, or run Money Map to compare this banking & savings decision with your other opportunities.
How does SwitchWize choose related offers?
Related offers are matched by the calculator surface (savings) and ranked using SwitchWize data such as rate, fees, trust signals, product fit, and switching friction. Paid relationships do not change organic ranking order.
How fresh are the rates and offers shown?
Rate and offer data is reviewed on a recurring cadence and every offer module shows review context or links to the methodology and disclosure pages.
Where can I see the ranking methodology?
The SwitchWize methodology page explains how rate freshness, editorial review, affiliate disclosure, and category ranking factors work.
Can Money Map use this result?
Yes. Money Map is the broader diagnostic path: it compares savings, mortgage, cards, and debt so you can see whether this calculator result is your highest-impact next move.

Why This Matters

Brokerage sweep accounts automatically park uninvested cash, but often at rates well below what dedicated high-yield savings accounts or money market funds offer. Over time, even small rate differences compound into meaningful lost interest on idle cash. Understanding this gap helps you decide whether moving sweep cash to a better-yielding option makes sense for your situation.

How to Use It

  1. 1Enter your current sweep cash balance.
  2. 2Input the annual percentage yield your brokerage currently pays on sweep cash.
  3. 3Enter the annual percentage yield of your preferred alternative, such as a high-yield savings account or money market fund.
  4. 4Provide your combined federal and state tax rate to see after-tax results.
  5. 5Specify how long you expect this cash to remain idle.
  6. 6Review the interest earned under each option, the annual rate difference, the total gap over your selected period, and your after-tax opportunity cost.
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