You buy savings bonds directly from the U.S. Treasury, not from banks or brokers

The only place to purchase new U.S. savings bonds is TreasuryDirect, the Treasury Department's online platform. You cannot buy them from a bank, a brokerage firm, or a financial advisor. This is different from other government securities like Treasury bills or notes, which you can buy through multiple channels — but savings bonds are sold exclusively through TreasuryDirect.

You set up a TreasuryDirect account with your Social Security number, verify your identity, and link a bank account for purchases and redemptions. The entire process happens online. Paper savings bonds are no longer sold; all new bonds are electronic.

Key Takeaways

  • TreasuryDirect (treasurydirect.gov) is the only place to buy new savings bonds directly from the U.S. Treasury.
  • You need a Social Security number, valid email address, and a U.S. bank account to open a TreasuryDirect account.
  • Series EE and Series I bonds are the two types available for individual purchase, with different interest structures and purchase minimums.
  • You can buy bonds in amounts as small as $25 (for Series EE) or $50 (for Series I), up to annual limits per bond type.
  • Bonds are held electronically in your account and can be redeemed online after the holding period, with funds deposited to your bank account.

Setting up your TreasuryDirect account

Go to treasurydirect.gov and click "Open an Account." You will need your Social Security number, a valid email address, and a U.S. bank account (checking or savings). The Treasury uses your email and Social Security number to verify your identity. If you have moved recently or your information does not match Treasury records, the verification may fail — in that case, you can call the TreasuryDirect customer service line at 844-284-2676 to complete verification by phone.

Once your account is open, you link your bank account for purchases and redemptions. The Treasury will make two small test deposits to your account (usually under $1 each) within a few business days. You then log back into TreasuryDirect, confirm those amounts, and your account is fully activated. This verification step prevents fraud and ensures the Treasury can deposit your redemption money to the correct account.

Understanding the two types of bonds you can buy

Series EE bonds are sold at half their face value. You buy a $100 bond for $50. The bond earns a fixed interest rate set by the Treasury every six months (in May and November). The rate applies to all bonds purchased during that six-month period. Series EE bonds are may provide to double in value in 20 years, even if interest rates fall to zero. You can buy Series EE bonds in amounts starting at $25.

Series I bonds are sold at face value — you pay $100 for a $100 bond. They earn an interest rate that combines a fixed rate (set by the Treasury and locked in for the life of the bond) plus an inflation rate that adjusts every six months based on the Consumer Price Index. Series I bonds protect you against inflation because the rate goes up when inflation rises. The minimum purchase is $50. Series I bonds currently have higher rates than Series EE bonds because they include the inflation component, but that can change as economic conditions shift.

Annual purchase limits and holding periods

You can buy up to $10,000 in Series EE bonds per calendar year and up to $10,000 in Series I bonds per calendar year through TreasuryDirect. If you receive a tax refund, you can buy up to an additional $5,000 in Series I bonds using that refund (a separate transaction through Form 8888 on your tax return). These limits reset on January 1 each year.

Both bond types must be held for at least one year before you can redeem them. If you redeem before five years have passed, you lose the last three months of interest. After five years, you can redeem without penalty. Bonds continue to earn interest for up to 30 years (Series EE) or 30 years (Series I), at which point they stop earning and should be redeemed.

How to buy bonds through your TreasuryDirect account

Log into your account, select "BuyDirect," and choose the bond type (Series EE or Series I). Enter the amount you want to purchase — you can buy in $25 increments for Series EE or $50 increments for Series I. Confirm the purchase, and the Treasury will debit your linked bank account. The bond appears in your account immediately, though it takes a few business days for the money to actually leave your bank.

You can set up recurring purchases if you want to buy bonds on a regular schedule (monthly, quarterly, or annually). This is useful if you want to build a savings bond ladder or invest a fixed amount regularly. You can change or cancel recurring purchases anytime through your account settings.

Redeeming your bonds and receiving the money

Once your bond has been held for at least one year, you can redeem it through TreasuryDirect. Log in, select the bond, and request redemption. The Treasury deposits the redemption amount (principal plus accrued interest) to your linked bank account within a few business days. You receive a confirmation number for your records.

If you need to redeem a bond before one year has passed, you cannot do so through TreasuryDirect. In that case, you would need to contact TreasuryDirect customer service to discuss your options, though early redemption is generally not permitted.

What happens if you lose access to your account

If you forget your password, you can reset it through the TreasuryDirect website using your email address and Social Security number. If you lose access to your email account or cannot verify your identity, call TreasuryDirect customer service at 844-284-2676. They can help you regain access or, in some cases, transfer bonds to a new account if your old one is compromised.

If you die, your bonds become part of your estate. The person managing your estate (your executor or administrator) can contact TreasuryDirect with a death certificate and court documents to transfer the bonds or redeem them on behalf of your heirs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy savings bonds as a gift for someone else?

No. You can only buy savings bonds in your own TreasuryDirect account using your Social Security number. However, you can give money to someone and they can buy bonds in their own account. Some people set up accounts for minor children (with the parent as custodian) to buy bonds on their behalf, but the child's Social Security number is used for the account.

What is the difference between buying bonds online versus through a bank?

Banks do not sell new savings bonds. If a bank offers bonds, they are selling older bonds from the secondary market at a markup, or they are selling other Treasury securities like Treasury bills. New savings bonds are only sold through TreasuryDirect at face value (or half face value for Series EE) with no fees or markups.

Do I pay taxes on savings bond interest?

Yes. Interest earned on savings bonds is subject to federal income tax. You can choose to report the interest each year as it accrues, or you can wait and report all the interest when you redeem the bond. State and local taxes do not apply to savings bond interest. You will receive a Form 1099-INT from the Treasury if your interest exceeds $10 in a calendar year.

Can I buy savings bonds through my employer or payroll?

No. Payroll savings programs for bonds were discontinued. Your only option is to buy through TreasuryDirect using your own bank account.

What if TreasuryDirect is down or I cannot access the website?

TreasuryDirect is maintained by the Treasury Department and outages are rare. If you cannot access the site, try again in a few minutes. If the problem persists, call customer service at 844-284-2676. You can also mail a check to the Treasury to buy bonds, though this is slower — contact customer service for the mailing address and instructions.