What Is a Series EE Bond?
The Series EE Bond (often referred to as a "Patriot Bond") is a non-marketable, interest-bearing U.S. government savings bond. These bonds are guaranteed to at least double in value over the typical 20-year initial term. Some Series EE bonds have total interest-paying lives that extend beyond the original maturity date, up to 30 years from issuance. Coupon rates for Series EE Bonds are determined at the time of issuance and are based on the percentage of the long-term Treasury rates.
Key Takeaways
- Series EE Bonds are interest-bearing U.S. government savings bonds guaranteed to at least double in value over their typical 20-year initial terms.
- Some Series EE bonds pay interest beyond the original maturity date, up to 30 years from issuance.
- There is a $25 minimum investment requirement for EE bonds.
- Every investor may purchase up to $10,000 in these bonds each calendar year.
How a Series EE Bond Works
Along with the Series I bond, the Series EE bond is one of the two types of savings bonds issued by the US Treasury. Series EE bonds cannot be bought or sold in the open market, and are hence classified as non-marketable securities.
Series EE bonds issued after May 2005 are assigned semi-annual fixed coupon rates on May 1 and November 1. The rates apply to all issuances for the ensuing six months. Bonds issued after each date increase in value monthly, but interest payments are handed out semiannually.
Series EE bonds are considered ultra-safe, low-risk investments, whose interest is typically exempt from state and local taxes. However, they are subject to federal taxes, but only in the year in which the bond matures or is redeemed. EE Bonds may be purchased by U.S. citizens, official U.S. residents, minors, and all U.S. government employees—regardless of their citizenship status.
Special Considerations
Paper EE bonds were re-issued as "Patriot Bonds" after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. They are identical in every way to the paper Series EE Bonds except that any paper bonds purchased through a financial institution after Dec. 10, 2001, have the words "Patriot Bond" printed on the top half of the bond certificate, situated between the Social Security Number (SSN) and the issue date. Financial institutions no longer issue Series EE bonds in paper form, but the paper Patriot Bonds can still be cashed or converted into electronic bonds.
Series EE bonds don't need to be reissued to correct small typographical errors in names, addresses, or Social Security numbers.
Requirements for a Series EE Bond
There is a $25 minimum investment requirement for EE bonds, and each investor may purchase up to $10,000 in these bonds each calendar year. Furthermore, bondholders must hold onto these investments for at least twelve months, before they can redeem the bonds. Those who redeem bonds within five years will be docked three months of accrued interest payments. Since EE bonds earn interest for up to 30 years, the longer they're held, the more they're worth.
Paper bondswere issued at a 50% discount to par, while bonds electronically sourced through TreasuryDirect are purchased at face value. The latter is still guaranteed to be worth twice their original value at first maturity date after 20 years while paying interest the same way as paper EE bonds.
FAQs
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. The interest rate is compounded semiannually.
How does an EE bond work? ›
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 do savings bonds work and mature? ›
Savings bonds earn interest until they reach "maturity," which is generally 20-30 years, depending on the type purchased. If a bond is held past its maturity, the federal government remains responsible for the debt.
Do EE bonds stop earning interest at maturity? ›
EE bonds earn interest until the first of these events: You cash in the bond or it reaches 30 years old. Therefore, many of these bonds have stopped earning interest. 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.
How much will my EE bond be worth at final maturity? ›
Maturity dates for Series EE bonds
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 |
May 7, 2024
All Series EE Bonds reach final maturity 30 years from issue.
How do you cash out EE savings bonds? ›
How do I cash my electronic bonds? Go to your TreasuryDirect account. Go to ManageDirect. Use the link for cashing securities.
Should you cash in EE bonds before maturity? ›
For example, if you redeem a bond after 24 months, you'll only receive 21 months of interest. Depending on the interest rate of your bond and your own financial needs, it's generally beneficial to wait until full maturity to redeem them.
What happens when a bond matures? ›
Key Takeaways
A bond's term to maturity is the period during which its owner will receive interest payments on the investment. When the bond reaches maturity, the owner is repaid its par, or face, value.
Investors who plan on holding their bond until maturity typically don't need to worry about the movement of bond prices on the secondary market as they will be repaid their principal in full at maturity, barring a default.
Is there a penalty for not cashing in matured EE savings bonds? ›
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.
Do you pay taxes on matured EE bonds? ›
According to the Treasury Department, it's typical to defer reporting interest until you redeem bonds at maturity. With electronic Series EE bonds, the redemption process is automatic and interest is reported to the IRS. Interest earnings on bonds are reported on IRS Form 1099-INT.
How do Series EE bonds work? ›
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.
How do I avoid taxes when cashing in 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.
When should I cash in my Series 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.
How do I cash a Series EE bond that has matured? ›
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.
