What's the safest return on investment aside from real estate?

FDIC-insured accounts or Treasury bonds.

Option Trading

CD's are pretty low risk and solid return

Government bonds are the safest investment. (This isn't even debated. Theoretically, if the government bankrupted, you'd be one of the first to get paid.)

Also safe are bonds from large companies, CD's (certificate of deposit), many GIC's (guaranteed investment certificates).

Stocks, Commodities, Real Estate, and Mutual Funds are all more volatile than the investments listed above.

Excellent question.

The safest return on investment used to be real estate. For thirty seven years, it has seen steady increase in value.

For the past two years, real estate has seen some losses in certain areas, but not all.

The safest over time is Treasury bond/bills.

Backed by the U.S. government, they now return something like 5%.

However, I have to question whether the U.S. government is as sound as many believe it is.

I still believe it's the strongest nation in the world, but with huge debt and fragile households, I can't say with complete certainty that it's the safest place to invest in.

The future of real estate looks very shaky now, so I would invest in U.S. government securities for awhile until I see evidence that interest rates will be lowered.

At present, it seems uncertain whether the Federal Reserve will lower interest rates. If it does, we will know better in the next few months ahead, and should they decide to lower, then it seems that real estate will return to it's winning ways.

Should they decide that inflation poses a threat, and increase interest rates, all bets are off for real estate and the stock market.

Stocks are very safe if you do research and find value, buying stocks that are 'on sale.' You can look to places like economicinvest.com to identify what is 'on sale' and make good money in the process.

Cash funds, of course!

As a retired banker I would have to say It depends on your goal are you seeking something long term or short term. What do you mean by safe as any investment can go south. write to me at Bankerbobretired@yahoo.com

Vice Fund.