FOR RELEASE AT 10:00 AM
May 1, 2024
Series EE savings bonds issued May 2024 through October 2024 will earn an annual fixed rate of 2.70% and Series I savings bonds will earn a composite rate of 4.28%, a portion of which is indexed to inflation every six months. The EE bond fixed rate applies to a bond’s 20-year original maturity. Bonds of both series have an interest-bearing life of 30 years.
Rates for savings bonds are set each May 1 and November 1. Interest accrues monthly and compounds semiannually. Bonds held less than five years are subject to a three-month interest penalty.
I Bond Composite Rate of 4.28% includes a Fixed Rate of 1.30%
The composite rate for Series I Savings Bonds is a combination of a fixed rate, which applies for the 30-year life of the bond, and the semiannual inflation rate. The 4.28% composite rate for I bonds issued from May 2024 through October 2024 applies for the first six months after the issue date. The composite rate combines a 1.30% fixed rate of return with the 2.96% annualized rate of inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers (CPI-U). The CPI-U increased from 307.789 in September 2023 to 312.332 in March 2024, a six-month change of 1.48%.
Series EE Bonds Issued May 2005 and Later
Series EE bonds issued from May 2024 through October 2024 earn today’s announced rate of 2.70%. All Series EE bonds issued since May 2005 earn a fixed rate in the first 20 years after issue. At 20 years, the bonds will be worth at least two times their purchase price. The bonds will continue to earn interest at their original fixed rate for an additional 10 years unless new terms and conditions are announced before the final 10-year period begins.
Series EE Bonds Issued from May 1997 through April 2005
Series EE bonds issued from May 1997 through April 2005 continue to earn market-based interest rates set at 90% of the average 5-year Treasury securities yields for the preceding six months. The new interest rate for these bonds, effective as the bonds enter semiannual interest periods from May 2024 through October 2024 is 3.81%. Market-based rates are updated each May 1 and November 1.
Series EE Bonds Issued Before May 1997
Series EE bonds issued before May 1997 earn various rates for semiannual earnings periods, depending on the issue dates. Please visit www.treasurydirect.gov for details and current values.
Savings Bonds Over 30 Years Have Stopped Earning Interest
All Series E savings bonds have matured and stopped earning interest. Series EE bonds issued from January 1980 through May 1994 are no longer earning interest. Series EE bonds issued from June 1994 through October 1994 will stop earning interest during the next six months.
More Information
Electronic Series EE and Series I savings bonds may be bought in TreasuryDirect®, a secure, web-based system operated by Treasury since 2002. Owners of paper savings bonds can continue to redeem them at some financial institutions. Paper Series EE and Series I Bonds can only be reissued in electronic form in TreasuryDirect.
Series I paper savings bonds remain available for purchase using part or all of a federal income tax refund. For more information on this feature, visit www.irs.gov.
To find more information on savings bonds and which ones are still earning interest, visit Fiscal Service’s website www.treasurydirect.gov.
Bondholders may also visit TreasuryHunt.govand conduct a simple search to see if they own any savings bonds.
The Savings Bond Calculator tool, which is helpful for calculating redemption values can also be found on the site. The website provides information and instructions for opening an online account to buy electronic savings bonds and Treasury marketable securities: bills, notes, bonds, Floating Rate Notes (FRNs), and Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (TIPS).
TreasuryDirect® is a registered mark of the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
FAQs
Series EE Bonds
A unique feature of EE bonds issued after May 2005 is that they are guaranteed to double in value if held for 20 years, effectively setting a minimum interest rate. This guarantee makes them a safe investment option for long-term savings goals.
How much interest do Series EE savings bonds earn? ›
Current Rate: 2.70%
Maximum purchase each calendar year: $10,000. Can cash in after 1 year. (But if you cash before 5 years, you lose 3 months of interest.) (Note: Older EE bonds may be different from ones we sell today.)
Can you still cash EE bonds at a bank? ›
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.
What is the difference between a Series EE and a Series I savings bond? ›
The interest rate on EE bonds is fixed for at least the first 20 years, while I bonds offer rates that are adjusted twice a year to protect from inflation. EE bonds offer a guaranteed return that doubles your investment if held for 20 years. There is no guaranteed return with I bonds.
Is there a downside to Series I savings bonds? ›
I bond cons
The initial rate is only guaranteed for the first six months of ownership. After that, the rate can fall, down to a fixed-rate component which, as of May 2024, stood at 1.3%. One-year lockup.
What happens to EE bonds after 30 years? ›
After 30 years, the bond no longer earns interest. The current rate on Series EE bonds is 2.70%. “Better rates are available on CDs or Treasury bonds purchased in the open market, whether short term or out as far as 30 years,” Hackmann said.
Do you pay taxes when you cash in EE bonds? ›
I cashed some Series E, Series EE, and Series I savings bonds. How do I report the interest? In general, you must report the interest in income in the taxable year in which you redeemed the bonds to the extent you did not include the interest in income in a prior taxable year.
How to avoid paying taxes on savings bonds? ›
You can report the interest each year you earn it or when you cash the bond. You will report it on Schedule B of your 1040. You can avoid these taxes by using the money for qualified higher education expenses.
Is it a good time to cash in EE bonds? ›
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 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.
To file a claim for a savings bond that is lost, stolen, or destroyed, complete a Claim for Lost, Stolen, or Destroyed United States Savings Bonds (FS Form 1048). Please sign the form in the presence of an authorized certifying officer (available at a bank, trust company, or credit union).
Are I bonds tax free? ›
The interest earned by purchasing and holding savings bonds is subject to federal tax at the time the bonds are redeemed. However, interest earned on savings bonds is not taxable at the state or local level.
Do EE bonds double in value after 20 years? ›
Key takeaways. Series EE bonds issued today will mature in 20 years, and they are guaranteed to double in value over that time. You can let the bond continue to accumulate interest for an additional 10 years after maturity.
How long does it take for a $50 savings bond to mature? ›
Savings bonds earn interest until they reach "maturity," which is generally 20-30 years, depending on the type purchased.
What is the best thing to do with Series EE savings bonds? ›
Because Series E savings bonds are in paper format, the easiest way to cash them in is to bring them to your financial institution. Your bank or credit union can use information about when the bonds were issued and the interest rate at the time to calculate the value and provide you with the money you're entitled to.
Should I keep my EE savings bonds? ›
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.
