Learn about the types of U.S. savings bonds, how to buy or redeem them, and calculate their value. Find out how to change a bond’s ownership, replace it, and whether it is taxable.
What are savings bonds?
By buying a U.S. savings bond, you are lending the government money. When you redeem a bond, the government pays you back the amount you bought the bond for plus interest.
Manage electronic savings bonds
To buy, redeem, or manage electronic savings bonds, you will need to create or log into your TreasuryDirect account.
Buy savings bonds
You can buy electronic savings bonds online. Paper bonds can only be purchased as part of your IRS tax refund.
Learn how to buy U.S. savings bonds.
Determine the value of savings bonds
You can determine the value for an electronic savings bond by logging into your TreasuryDirect account.
For paper bonds, use the savings bond calculator.
Current EE and I series savings bonds
The U.S. Department of the Treasury currently sells two types of savings bonds, the EE and I series. Both series have different interest rates, which are either fixed or change with inflation. Learn more about EE bonds and I bonds, including how to:
- Buy and redeem them
- Determine their value
- Claim them if the owner has died
- Change ownership or beneficiaries
- Update personal information or fix errors
- Replace them if they are lost, stolen, or destroyed
- Report interest on your federal tax return
Older HH and historical savings bonds
The U.S. Department of the Treasury no longer issues HH and other historical bond series. But you can still redeem them.
HH series savings bonds
The last HH series savings bonds the U.S. government issued are still earning interest until 2024. Learn more about HH bonds, including how to:
- Redeem them
- Determine their value
- Claim them if the owner has died
- Change ownership or beneficiaries
- Update personal information or fix errors
- Replace them if they are lost, stolen, or destroyed
- Report interest on your federal tax return
Historical and retired savings bonds
Like HH bonds, you can no longer buy historical and retired savings bonds. Learn more about older savings bonds series and savings securities, and find out:
- When the U.S. government issued them
- If they are still earning interest
- How to cash them
- What their value is or how to calculate it
- If the interest is taxable
Search for missing savings bonds
Search for matured savings bonds and missing interest using Treasury Hunt, an online tool from TreasuryDirect.
LAST UPDATED: January 24, 2024
Ask a real person any government-related question for free. They will get you the answer or let you know where to find it.
FAQs
How to get the most value from your savings bonds
| Face Value | Purchase Amount | 30-Year Value (Purchased May 1990) |
|---|
| $50 Bond | $100 | $207.36 |
| $100 Bond | $200 | $414.72 |
| $500 Bond | $400 | $1,036.80 |
| $1,000 Bond | $800 | $2,073.60 |
| Total Price | Total Value | YTD Interest |
|---|
| $50.00 | $69.94 | $3.08 |
Bonds, on the other hand, grow slowly in value and are worth the most after 20 to 30 years. Consider savings bonds for your long-term savings goals. You can set money aside to earn interest, while resisting temptation to dip into your funds.
Why is my $100 savings bond only worth 50? ›
There are two primary reasons a bond might be worth less than its listed face value. A savings bond, for example, is sold at a discount to its face value and steadily appreciates in price as the bond approaches its maturity date. Upon maturity, the bond is redeemed for the full face value.
How much is a $50 Patriot bond worth after 20 years? ›
After 20 years, the Patriot Bond is guaranteed to be worth at least face value. So a $50 Patriot Bond, which was bought for $25, will be worth at least $50 after 20 years. It can continue to accrue interest for as many as 10 more years after that.
Do EE bonds really double in 20 years? ›
EE bonds you buy now have a fixed interest rate that you know when you buy the bond. That rate remains the same for at least the first 20 years. It may change after that for the last 10 of its 30 years. We guarantee that the value of your new EE bond at 20 years will be double what you paid for it.
Do savings bonds double every 7 years? ›
Series EE savings bonds are a low-risk way to save money. They earn interest regularly for 30 years (or until you cash them if you do that before 30 years). For EE bonds you buy now, we guarantee that the bond will double in value in 20 years, even if we have to add money at 20 years to make that happen.
What is the final maturity of a $100 savings bond? ›
They're available to be cashed in after a single year, though there's a penalty for cashing them in within the first five years. Otherwise, you can keep savings bonds until they fully mature, which is generally 30 years. These days, you can only purchase electronic bonds, but you can still cash in paper bonds.
What is a $1000 savings bond worth? ›
| Total Price | Total Value | YTD Interest |
|---|
| $1,000.00 | $2,094.00 | $89.60 |
You can skip paying taxes on interest earned with Series EE and Series I savings bonds if you're using the money to pay for qualified higher education costs. That includes expenses you pay for yourself, your spouse or a qualified dependent. Only certain qualified higher education costs are covered, including: Tuition.
You can get your cash for an EE or I savings bond any time after you have owned it for 1 year. However, the longer you hold the bond, the more it earns for you (for up to 30 years for an EE or I bond). Also, if you cash in the bond in less than 5 years, you lose the last 3 months of interest.
Do you have to pay taxes on savings bonds? ›
Savings bond interest is subject to federal income tax; however, taxation can be deferred until redemption, final maturity, or other taxable disposition, whichever occurs first. You also have the option of claiming interest annually for federal income tax purposes.
How long does it take for a $50 savings bond to mature? ›
U.S. Savings Bonds mature after 20 or 30 years, depending on the type of bond: Series EE bonds mature after 20 years. They are sold at half their face value and are worth their full value at maturity. Series I bonds are sold at face value and mature after 30 years.
How long does it take for $100 US savings bond to mature? ›
SERIES I BONDS ISSUED SEPTEMBER 1998 AND THEREAFTER All Series I bonds reach final maturity 30 years from issue. Series I savings bonds earn interest through application of a composite rate.
How much is a $500 savings bond from 1986 worth? ›
A $500 savings bond with a picture of Alexander Hamilton that was issued in April 1986 was worth $1,130.60 as of December. The next interest payment is in April 2016. All bonds bought in 1986 are currently earning 4 percent until their final maturity date.
How long does it take for a $100 EE savings bond to mature? ›
All Series EE bonds reach final maturity 30 years from issue. Series EE savings bonds purchased from May 1995 through April 1997 increase in value every six months.
Do Series EE bonds expire after 30 years? ›
Current Series EE bonds mature after 30 years, but they are guaranteed to double in value in the first 20 years during which time the interest rate is fixed. For example, if you invested $5,000 into Series EE bonds today, you are guaranteed to have at least $10,000 in 20 years.
Can you cash EE bonds after 30 years? ›
You can get your cash for an EE or I savings bond any time after you have owned it for 1 year. However, the longer you hold the bond, the more it earns for you (for up to 30 years for an EE or I bond). Also, if you cash in the bond in less than 5 years, you lose the last 3 months of interest.
Do Series EE bonds pay interest after 30 years? ›
Series EE savings bonds are a low-risk way to save money. They earn interest regularly for 30 years (or until you cash them if you do that before 30 years). For EE bonds you buy now, we guarantee that the bond will double in value in 20 years, even if we have to add money at 20 years to make that happen.
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