When can you cash in Series EE savings bonds? (2024)

When can you cash in Series EE savings bonds?

You can cash in (redeem) your EE bond after 12 months.

How much is an EE bond worth after 20 years?

We guarantee that the value of your new EE bond at 20 years will be double what you paid for it.

Should you cash in EE bonds before maturity?

It's a good idea to hang on to your bond for as long as possible, ideally until it matures, so you can take full advantage of compound and accrued interest. Here's how that decision might pay off with EE bonds. Let's say you purchased the maximum of $10,000 in EE bonds today, with the current interest rate of 2.10%.

How long do you have to hold 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.

Can I cash Series EE bonds at any 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.

How much is a $100 series EE savings bond worth after 30 years?

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 you pay taxes when you cash in EE bonds?

If you hold savings bonds and redeem them with interest earned, that interest is subject to federal income tax and possibly federal gift taxes (highly unlikely as the per-person cap is $10,000 and the gift tax exemption is $17,000).

Are EE bonds taxed when cashed?

Key Takeaways. Interest from EE U.S. savings bonds is taxed at the federal level but not at the state or local levels for income. The interest that savings bonds earn is the amount that a bond can be redeemed for above its face value or original purchase price.

Do you pay taxes on EE bonds when they mature?

The bond continues to accrue interest even after reaching its face value, but at “final maturity” (after 30 years) interest stops accruing and must be reported. Note: Interest on EE bonds isn't subject to state income tax.

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.

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.

How do you cash out Series EE bonds?

You may be able to cash in paper EE bonds at a bank where you have an account or through TreasuryDirect. Ask your bank about its process for cashing savings bonds. Ask your bank how much it will cash at one time. Determine the identification or other documents you will need.

What happens to EE bonds after 30 years?

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.

What documents do I need to cash a savings bond?

If you're cashing in a paper savings bond of $1,000 or less, you'll need FS Form 1522 and a copy of your driver's license, passport, state ID or military ID. If the bond amount is more than $1,000, you must have your signature certified by a notary or certifying officer.

Can I cash EE bonds at Capital One?

You may need to contact your bank directly to find out what limits it has set or if you can cash in your savings bonds at all. Some banks, including Capital One, don't cash savings bonds at all; others will only do so if you've had an account at the bank for more than 12 months.

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.

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.

Do EE bonds always double in value?

EE bonds earn a fixed rate of interest, but, regardless of the rate, they are guaranteed to double in value if you hold them 20 years. Series I bonds earn a variable rate of interest that is tied to inflation.

What happens when a EE bond reaches maturity?

Key points. 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. You don't receive the interest on your Series EE bond until you cash it.

Are EE bonds worth it?

Limited yield potential: EE bonds are a secure and low-risk investment, but they also come with lower returns than riskier investments such as stocks or mutual funds. Therefore, they may not be the best choice for those seeking higher returns and willing to accept higher risk.

Can EE savings bonds lose value?

Electronic Series EE Bonds are sold at face value and are worth their full value when available for redemption. The minimum term of ownership is one year, but a penalty is imposed if the bond is redeemed in the first five years. The bonds earn interest for 30 years.

Will I get a 1099 for cashing in savings bonds?

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.)

How much tax will I pay on my EE savings bonds?

The interest on EE bonds isn't taxed as it accrues unless the owner elects to have it taxed annually. If an election is made, all previously accrued but untaxed interest is also reported in the election year. In most cases, this election isn't made so bond holders receive the benefits of tax deferral.

Does it matter whose social security number is on a savings bond?

Do the address and Social Security Number on the bonds have to match the customer's address and Social Security Number? Not necessarily. The customer may have moved or the bonds may have been a gift and contain the purchaser's information.