Series I Bonds Advantages

Series I Bonds advantages are discussed in this section of US Savings Bonds information website. Series i US Savings Bonds have many advantages. Many of the advantages of Series I Bonds are shared by other US Savings Bonds.

Series I Bonds Advantages
  • TIPS (Treasury Inflation Protected Securities) offer a form of protection against inflation in the U.S. Consumer Price Index.
  • TIPS are guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.
  • TIPS are exempt from state and local income taxes.
  • As long as the Series I Bonds are held for a minimum of one year, the investor can redeem Series I Bonds at any time up to 30-years from the date of purchase.
  • No Federal Income taxes are assessed on the accrual and compounding of interest until the investor redeems the bonds.
Series I Bonds Considerations and Drawbacks
  • Depending on the six month window when the Series I Bonds are purchased, the investor locks in a specific real rate for the life of that Series I bond.
  • CPI inflation may not match the inflation rate of the investor’s own market basket of purchases.
  • The bonds must be held for a minimum of one year and are not freely tradeable.
  • A 3-month foregone interest penalty is assessed if the security is redeemed within 5 years.
  • The maximum allowable purchase amount is $30,000 per person per year. Advantages Considerations and Drawbacks
Series I Bonds period of issuance Fixed real rate (1)
9/98 – 10/98 3.40%
11/98 – 4/99 3.30%
5/99 – 10/99 3.30%
11/99 – 4/00 3.40%
5/00 – 10/00 3.40%
11/00 – 4/01 3.40%
5/01 – 10/01 3.00%
11/01 – 4/02 2.00%
5/02 – 10/02 2.00%
11/02 – 4/03 1.60%
5/03 – 10/03 1.10%
11/03 – 4/04 1.10%

Note: (1) Plus the CPI-U rate of inflation

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