Maturity timelines for U.S. savings bonds

U.S. savings bonds reach their full face value — the amount you paid for them — at different times depending on the type. Series EE bonds mature in 20 years, and Series I bonds mature in 30 years. Before maturity, you can cash them in, but you will receive less than you paid if you redeem them early. After the maturity date, the bond stops earning interest, though you can still hold it without penalty.

The maturity date is fixed from the purchase date. A Series EE bond bought on January 15, 2024, reaches maturity on January 15, 2044. An I bond bought the same day reaches maturity on January 15, 2054. You do not need to do anything on the maturity date — the bond simply stops accruing interest and remains in your account until you decide to cash it.

Key Takeaways

  • Series EE bonds mature in 20 years from purchase; Series I bonds mature in 30 years.
  • Cashing in a bond before maturity means you receive less than the purchase price, because you forfeit accrued interest and may lose the final three months of interest.
  • After maturity, the bond stops earning interest but remains valid and can be cashed at any time.
  • You can find your bond's exact maturity date by checking your TreasuryDirect account or the paper bond itself if you own physical bonds.

What happens if you cash in before maturity

Redeeming a savings bond before it matures costs you money. You forfeit all accrued interest beyond the principal you invested. Additionally, if you cash in a bond less than five years after purchase, you lose the final three months of interest as a penalty. This means a Series EE bond cashed after three years returns only the original purchase price minus three months of interest — a net loss.

After five years, the three-month penalty no longer applies, but you still receive only the principal plus whatever interest has accrued to that point. For example, if you bought a $100 Series EE bond and cashed it after seven years when it had earned $15 in interest, you would receive $115. The remaining interest it would have earned over the next 13 years is forfeited.

Early redemption penalties and the five-year rule

The five-year holding period is a hard boundary in savings bond terms. Redeem within five years and you lose three months of interest. Redeem after five years and that penalty disappears, though you still lose all future interest. This rule applies to both Series EE and Series I bonds purchased through TreasuryDirect or at banks.

The penalty is automatic — you cannot negotiate around it. If you need cash and must redeem early, the five-year mark is worth planning for. Many people buy bonds with the intention of holding them at least five years to avoid the penalty, even if they do not plan to hold them to full maturity.

Series EE bonds and the 20-year may provide

Series EE bonds come with a specific may provide: if the bond has not reached its face value by the 20-year maturity date, the U.S. Treasury will make up the difference. This means a $100 Series EE bond purchased at $50 is may provide to be worth at least $100 after 20 years, regardless of interest rate changes. This may provide is why Series EE bonds are considered a safe, predictable savings tool.

The actual interest rate on Series EE bonds changes every six months based on Treasury rates. If interest rates rise, your bond earns more and may exceed face value before maturity. If rates fall, your bond earns less, but the Treasury may provide ensures you still reach the full $100 value by year 20. After maturity, the bond stops earning interest entirely, so holding it beyond 20 years provides no additional growth.

Series I bonds and 30-year maturity

Series I bonds mature in 30 years and are designed to protect against inflation. The interest rate combines a fixed rate set at purchase plus an inflation rate that adjusts every six months based on the Consumer Price Index. This means I bonds can earn more than EE bonds in high-inflation environments, but the trade-off is the longer maturity period.

Like Series EE bonds, I bonds stop earning interest after maturity. An I bond purchased today will reach its maturity date 30 years from now and then remain static in value. If you hold it beyond maturity without cashing it, the value does not decrease, but it also does not grow. The inflation protection that makes I bonds attractive only applies during the 30-year earning period.

Tracking your bond maturity date

If you own bonds through TreasuryDirect, log into your account to see the exact maturity date for each bond. The account displays the purchase date, current value, and maturity date in a single view. For paper bonds, the maturity date is 20 years (EE) or 30 years (I) from the issue date printed on the bond itself.

If you inherited bonds or received them as a gift and do not know the purchase date, you can contact TreasuryDirect or check any documentation that came with the bonds. Banks that sell paper bonds can also help you determine the maturity date if you have the bond in hand. Knowing the maturity date helps you plan whether to hold the bond to full value or redeem it early if your financial situation changes.

What to do with bonds after they mature

After a bond reaches maturity, you have no deadline to cash it. The bond remains valid indefinitely and can be redeemed at any time. However, it earns no additional interest after the maturity date, so holding it longer provides no financial benefit. Many people cash mature bonds and reinvest the proceeds in new bonds or other savings vehicles.

If you want to continue building savings through bonds, you can purchase new Series EE or I bonds once your current ones mature. New bonds will have their own 20- or 30-year earning periods. Some people use maturity as a natural checkpoint to review their overall savings strategy and decide whether bonds still fit their goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash a savings bond before it matures?

Yes, but you will receive less than you paid if you redeem it before maturity. You forfeit accrued interest, and if you cash it within five years of purchase, you also lose the final three months of interest as a penalty. After five years, the penalty no longer applies, but you still lose all future interest that would have accrued.

What is the difference between a 20-year and 30-year maturity?

Series EE bonds mature in 20 years; Series I bonds mature in 30 years. EE bonds come with a face-value may provide, while I bonds offer inflation protection. The longer maturity of I bonds reflects their inflation-adjustment feature, which applies throughout the 30-year period.

Do I have to cash my bond on the maturity date?

No. After maturity, the bond stops earning interest but remains valid. You can hold it indefinitely without penalty, though it will not grow in value. Many people cash mature bonds to reinvest the proceeds, but there is no requirement to do so on any specific date.

How do I find the maturity date of a bond I own?

Log into your TreasuryDirect account to see the maturity date for digital bonds. For paper bonds, add 20 years (EE) or 30 years (I) to the issue date printed on the bond. If you do not have the issue date, contact TreasuryDirect or the bank where you purchased the bond.

What happens if I need money before my bond matures?

You can redeem the bond early, but you will receive less than the full value. If you have held it at least five years, you receive the principal plus accrued interest. If you have held it less than five years, you also lose three months of interest. Consider whether the penalty is worth the immediate cash need.