Comparing EE and I bonds — TreasuryDirect (2024)

FAQs

Which is better, EE bonds or I bonds? ›

Bottom line. I bonds, with their inflation-adjusted return, safeguard the investor's purchasing power during periods of high inflation. On the other hand, EE Bonds offer predictable returns with a fixed-interest rate and a guaranteed doubling of value if held for 20 years.

HYSAs provide quick and easy access to your money, and the best HYSAs offer significantly higher-than-average rates. However, those rates can decrease over time. I bonds may be a better option for those who want the combination of guaranteed returns and a variable rate that changes along with inflation.

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.

Key Points. Pros: I bonds come with a high interest rate during inflationary periods, they're low-risk, and they help protect against inflation. Cons: Rates are variable, there's a lockup period and early withdrawal penalty, and there's a limit to how much you can invest.

The cons of investing in I-bonds

There's actually a limit on how much you can invest in I-bonds per year. The annual maximum in purchases is $10,000 worth of electronic I-bonds, although in some cases, you may be able to purchase an additional $5,000 worth of paper I-bonds using your tax refund.

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.

Some disadvantages of a high-yield savings account include few withdrawal options, limitations on how many monthly withdrawals you can make, and no access to a branch network if you need it. But for most people, these aren't major issues.

Although each financial situation is unique, it doesn't typically make sense for you to keep all of your money in a high-yield savings account. After all, most high-yield savings accounts limit withdrawals to only six per month, so a checking account is typically a better place to store your spending cash.

Bottom line. If inflation and investment safety are your chief concerns — TIPS and I-bonds deliver both. TIPS offer greater liquidity and the higher yearly limit allows you to stash far more cash in TIPS than I-bonds.

What are the disadvantages of TreasuryDirect? ›

Securities purchased through TreasuryDirect cannot be sold in the secondary market before they mature. This lack of liquidity could be a disadvantage for investors who may need to access their investment capital before the securities' maturity.

Currently, EE bonds reach full maturity after 30 years, but are guaranteed to double in value in the first 20 years. However, maturity dates for EE bonds used to be less than 30 years.

While the Series I bond eliminates principal risk and inflation risk, investors must keep their money locked up for at least a year. You simply won't be able to sell the bond before then. So if there's any chance you'll need the money before a year, the Series I bond is not for you.

You can count on a Series I bond to hold its value; that is, the bond's redemption value will not decline.

That said, there is a $10,000 limit each year for purchasing them. There are several ways around this limit, though, including using your tax refund, having your spouse purchase bonds as well and using a separate legal entity like a trust.

You can cash in (redeem) your I bond after 12 months. However, if you cash in the bond in less than 5 years, you lose the last 3 months of interest. For example, if you cash in the bond after 18 months, you get the first 15 months of interest.