The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) guarantees that bank deposits up to $250,000 are safe. All of your single accounts at the same FDIC-insured bank are added together, and the total is insured for up to $250,000. For retirement savings accounts, the limit for FDIC insurance is also $250,000. All of your self-directed retirement savings accounts at the same insured bank are added together and the total is insured for up to $250,000.
This FDIC fact sheet explains the maximum insurance coverage available for various types of accounts: http://www.fdic.gov/deposit/deposits/dis/
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