Savings bonds facts

When do my US savings bonds increase in value?

Many US savings bond owners give away US savings bonds just before those US savings bonds rise in value. If these US savings bonds owners know that their US savings bonds were about to increase in value, perhaps they would think twice about giving away those US savings bonds. Knowing the timing issues on your US savings bonds is important when you make any financial decisions involving your US savings bonds. 

For example, each US saving bond issued before May 1997 that is over five years old, will increase in value twice a year. If a US savings bond owner cashes a US savings bond one day before an increase in the US savings bond value, he or she will forfeit 6 months of US savings bond interest for US savings bonds purchased prior to December 1973. The increases of US savings bond values do not always fall on the issue date and 6 months later. A US savings bond owner will need a US savings bonds interest table to help him or her determine the correct US savings bond dates.

What is the guaranteed interest rate on my US savings bonds?

Each US savings bond purchased on different dates has different guaranteed and average market rate. For example, US savings bonds purchased prior to May 1, 1995, has a unique guaranteed and average market rate. Knowing these US savings bonds rates will help US savings bonds owners determine whether to fold the US savings bonds or hold the US savings bonds.

How long is the US savings bonds guaranteed rate good for?

A guaranteed rate of US savings bonds is good for the life of the US savings bonds. US savings bonds purchased prior to May 1, 1995, assume a new guaranteed interest rate when the US savings bonds enter an extended US savings bonds maturity period. Many US savings bonds that were earning 7.5% dropped to a new US savings bonds guaranteed rate of 4% as the US savings bonds entered extended US savings bonds maturity periods. US savings bond owners should know which US savings bonds  are affected and when.

How much did I pay for my US savings bonds?

How much you paid for your US savings bonds is your original cost of the US savings bonds. What you paid for the US savings bonds is the cost basis of the US savings bonds even if you received the US savings bonds  as a gift. Face values of US savings bonds can be misleading.

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