
The compound amount of interest you’re likely to earn on an investment, or on a savings account, at current interest rates. This is a marketing trick – it makes the rate look more attractive – and applies the same principles used in calculating APR on loans, to savings products. Be careful only to compare AERs with AERs and nothing else.
If you are a UK taxpayer you will also need to deduct 20% from any interest calculation as the interest you earn is a taxable source of income. Most banks and building societies will quote the interest a gross amount (before tax is taken), and will pay the interest into your account as a net amount (after tax is taken).
Any interest rate quoted as an AER will only be applicable if you do not withdraw money from your account during the year in question as it illustrates what the interest would be it was paid and compounded (added to the interest from previous payouts). As such, any withdrawals that you make from the account can affect the rate you will receive at the end of the year.
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