Archive for the ‘Series I Bonds’ Category

Series I Savings Bonds

Series I Savings Bonds in Physical Form

Series I Savings Bonds may be ordered in physical form at many local financial institutions. 

After the investor completes a purchase order and pays for the bond, the Series I savings bond certificate is mailed to the investor within three weeks. 

Each Series I savings bond certificate features a prominent American who has contributed to the history of the United States. 

The Series I Savings Bonds Certificate denominations are depicted below: 

I bonds Series I Bonds I Bonds 

Series I BondsI BondsSeries I Bonds 

I Bonds

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

Series I Bonds FAQs

What are Series I Bonds?

Series I Bonds, also called Series I Savings Bonds or Series I government bonds are also popular US Savings Bonds along with Series E and EE Savings Bonds. In the past, you can only purchase and invest in Series I Bonds in paper form. Nowadays, you can invest in the US government ’s Series I Bonds electronically.

How are Series I Bonds sold?

The US government ’s Series I Bonds are sold at face value. The maximum amount of Series I Bonds you can purchase in a year is currently $30,000

How to buy Series I Bonds?

Series I Bonds can be purchased in denominations of:

  • $50,
  • $75,
  • $100,
  • $200,
  • $500,
  • $1,000,
  • $5,000, and
  • $10,000.
Interest rates on I Bonds and redemption

The interest rates on I bonds are forfeited on the most recent 3 months’ interest if you buy the US Series I Bonds and then redeem them within 5 years. If you hold onto US Series I Savings Bonds for more than 5 years, there is no penalty on the interest on I bonds.

Books on Savings Bonds