Check the current value on TreasuryDirect or with a paper bond calculator

The value of your savings bond depends on when you bought it, what series it is, and how long you have held it. TreasuryDirect, the official U.S. Treasury website, shows the exact current value of any bond registered to your account. If you own paper bonds, you can use the Treasury's Savings Bond Calculator, which asks for the series letter, denomination, and issue date and returns the value in seconds.

The value is not the same as the purchase price. A $50 bond does not cost $50 to buy — you pay half that amount upfront. The bond then earns interest over time, and the value grows until it reaches face value and beyond. How fast it grows depends on the interest rate locked in when you bought it and how many months or years have passed.

If you have lost the bond or do not remember the details, the Treasury can search their records by your Social Security number and the approximate issue date. You can request a search through the Bureau of the Fiscal Service, though the process takes several weeks.

Key Takeaways

  • TreasuryDirect shows the current value of any bond in your account instantly, and the Savings Bond Calculator works for paper bonds if you know the series and issue date.
  • A savings bond's value grows from half its face value at purchase to its full value and beyond, depending on the interest rate and how long you have held it.
  • Series EE bonds purchased before May 2003 are may provide to reach face value within 20 years; newer ones have no such may provide.
  • Interest stops accruing after 30 years, so a bond held past that point will not gain value even if you have not cashed it in.
  • You can redeem a bond at most banks or through TreasuryDirect, but redeeming before five years have passed means you lose the last three months of interest.

Understanding the difference between purchase price and current value

When you buy a savings bond, you pay a discount. A Series EE bond with a $100 face value costs $50. A Series I bond with a $100 face value also costs $50. You are not paying full price upfront; instead, the bond earns interest, and that interest brings the value up over time.

The current value is what the bond is worth right now if you were to cash it in today. It includes the original purchase price plus all the interest earned since the issue date. If you bought a $50 bond five years ago and the current value is $58, that means you have earned $8 in interest.

The rate of growth depends on the bond series. Series EE bonds earn a fixed interest rate set when you buy them — that rate never changes. Series I bonds earn a combined rate made up of a fixed portion and an inflation-adjusted portion that changes every six months. This means an I bond's value can grow faster or slower depending on inflation.

How to access TreasuryDirect and find your bond information

If you own electronic bonds, they are registered in a TreasuryDirect account. Log in with your username and password, or create an account if you do not have one yet. Once logged in, click on "My Securities" or "Manage Direct" to see a list of all bonds in your name, along with their current value, issue date, and maturity date.

TreasuryDirect updates bond values daily, so the number you see is current as of that day. You can check as often as you want — checking does not affect the bond or trigger any fees. If you have forgotten your password, use the "Forgot Username or Password" link on the login page to reset it.

For paper bonds, you will not see them in TreasuryDirect unless you have already converted them to electronic form. To find the value of a paper bond, use the Savings Bond Calculator on the Treasury website. You will need the series (printed on the front), the denomination (the face value), and the issue date (also printed on the bond).

What happens to bond value after 30 years

Savings bonds stop earning interest after 30 years from the issue date. After that point, the value stays the same — it does not grow any further, even if you hold the bond for another decade. This is called the final maturity date.

If you have a bond that has reached final maturity, you should cash it in. Holding it longer serves no purpose, since you are no longer earning interest. The Treasury does not automatically send you money or notify you when a bond matures; it is your responsibility to track the date and redeem the bond when you are ready.

You can redeem a matured bond at most banks or through TreasuryDirect. There is no penalty for cashing in a bond after 30 years — you simply receive the final value it reached at year 30.

The penalty for cashing in a bond before five years

If you redeem a savings bond before it has been held for five years, you lose the last three months of interest. This is a built-in penalty designed to discourage early redemption. For example, if you bought a bond one year ago and the current value is $52, but the value three months ago was $51, you would receive $51 instead of $52.

After five years, there is no penalty. You can cash in the bond at any time and receive the full current value. This is why financial advisors often recommend treating savings bonds as a five-year commitment at minimum.

The three-month interest penalty applies to all savings bonds — Series EE, Series I, and older series. It is automatic and applies whether you redeem in person at a bank or electronically through TreasuryDirect.

Series EE bonds and the 20-year face value may provide

Series EE bonds purchased before May 2003 have a special may provide: if the bond has not reached its face value after 20 years, the Treasury will make up the difference. A $50 bond purchased in 2003 is may provide to be worth at least $100 by 2023. This may provide does not apply to bonds purchased after May 2003.

For newer Series EE bonds, there is no such may provide. The bond earns interest at a fixed rate, and if that rate is low, the bond may not reach face value by year 20. You can still hold it past 20 years — it will continue to earn interest until year 30 — but there is no automatic adjustment if it falls short.

To learn about your Series EE bond qualifies for this may provide, check the issue date on the bond itself or in your TreasuryDirect account. If it was issued before May 2003, the may provide applies.

How to redeem your bond and receive the money

You can redeem a savings bond in two ways: through TreasuryDirect or at a bank. Through TreasuryDirect, you log into your account, select the bond you want to redeem, and request the redemption. The money is deposited into your linked bank account within a few business days. There is no fee for this process.

At a bank, you bring the paper bond (if you have one) or your TreasuryDirect login information (if it is electronic) to a teller. The bank verifies the bond, confirms the current value, and processes the redemption. Some banks charge a small fee for this service, though many do not. Call ahead to ask.

When you redeem, you will receive a 1099-INT form from the Treasury for tax purposes. The interest earned on the bond is taxable income in the year you redeem it, unless you have designated the bond for education expenses and meet certain conditions. Keep the 1099-INT with your tax records.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I find the value of a bond if I have lost the paper copy?

Yes. If you remember the approximate issue date and your Social Security number, the Bureau of the Fiscal Service can search their records. You can request a search by mail or through their website. The process takes several weeks, and they will provide you with the bond details and current value. If you have already converted the bond to electronic form in TreasuryDirect, you can see the value instantly by logging in.

What is the difference between a Series EE and Series I bond value?

Series EE bonds earn a fixed interest rate that never changes. Series I bonds earn a combined rate: a fixed portion plus an inflation-adjusted portion that changes every six months. This means an I bond's value can grow faster when inflation is high and slower when inflation is low. EE bonds are more predictable; I bonds are designed to keep pace with inflation.

Do I have to pay taxes on the interest when I cash in the bond?

Yes, the interest is taxable income in the year you redeem the bond. You will receive a 1099-INT form showing the amount. However, if the bond was used for may have access to education expenses and you meet income limits, you may be able to exclude the interest from taxable income. Consult a tax professional about your specific situation.

What if my bond value has not grown much after several years?

This usually means the interest rate on the bond is low. Older Series EE bonds often have rates between 1% and 4% per year, which adds up slowly. Series I bonds adjust for inflation, so their growth depends on inflation rates. If you are unhappy with the growth, you can redeem the bond after five years with no penalty and move the money elsewhere.

Can I check my bond value without logging into TreasuryDirect?

For paper bonds, yes — use the Savings Bond Calculator on the Treasury website. For electronic bonds in TreasuryDirect, you need to log in. There is no way to look up an electronic bond's value without your account credentials. If you have forgotten your login, you can reset it on the TreasuryDirect homepage.