FAQs
Series EE bonds mature in 20 years but earn interest for up to 30 years. The U.S. Treasury guarantees Series EE bonds will double in value in 20 years.
How are EE bonds guaranteed to double? ›
If you purchase a Series EE bond today, you are guaranteed to earn a fixed interest rate for 20 years, which is when the bond matures. At 20 years, the government ensures that you will be paid double the face value of the bond.
How much is a $100 series EE bond worth after 30 years? ›
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 |
While the Treasury will not penalize you for holding a U.S. Savings Bond past its date of maturity, the Internal Revenue Service will. Interest accumulated over the life of a U.S. Savings Bond must be reported on your 1040 form for the tax year in which you redeem the bond or it reaches final maturity.
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 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.
How long should I hold on to an EE bond? ›
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.
Is it better to buy EE or I savings bonds? ›
I bonds offer an inflation-protected return, ensuring your savings keep pace with rising costs. EE bonds, on the other hand, provide a fixed-interest rate for the life of the bond, offering a predictable return.
What happens to EE bonds after 30 years? ›
If you moved your EE bond into a TreasuryDirect account, we pay you for the bond as soon as it reaches 30 years and stops earning interest. If you still have a paper EE bond, check the issue date. If that date is more than 30 years ago, it is no longer increasing in value and you may want to cash it.
Should I cash out my Series EE bonds? ›
If you decide to cash in between years 1 and 5, you forfeit three months of interest. If you cash in a series EE bond before 20 years, you miss out on the guarantee for your investment to double.
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. Interest is added monthly to the bond's value.
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.
Will I get a 1099 for cashing in savings bonds? ›
If you cash a paper savings bond at a local bank, that bank is responsible for giving you a 1099. If you cash a paper savings bond by mailing it to Treasury Retail Securities Services, we mail you a 1099 by January 31 of the following year. (You can call us for a duplicate statement, if needed, beginning February 15.)
What is the easiest way to cash savings bonds? ›
If you have paper savings bonds, you can fill out the appropriate form and mail it and the bonds you want to cash to the Treasury Retail Securities Services — the address is listed on FS Form 1522. Additionally, you may be able to cash your paper savings bonds at your bank or credit union.
How do I cash in matured EE bonds? ›
Through TreasuryDirect
- Download and complete FS Form 1522.
- Have your signature certified if the value of the bonds you are cashing is more than $1,000. See FS Form 1522 for more about this requirement.
- Mail the completed form and your bonds to the address listed on FS Form 1522.
In 10 years, the value of the bond increases to $12,323. At 20 years, it is guaranteed to double in value, so it will then be worth $20,000. By year 30, when it matures, the bond is worth $24,646.56, earning you an extra $14,646.56. Depending your financial goals, you may decide to cash in before the bond matures.
Can you still cash EE bonds at a bank? ›
Where do I cash in a savings bond? You can cash paper bonds at a bank or through the U.S. Department of the Treasury's TreasuryDirect website. Not all banks offer the service, and many only provide it if you are an account holder, according to a NerdWallet analysis of the 20 largest U.S. banks.
