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:



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.
-
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
-
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.