Savings bonds mature on a fixed schedule set when you buy them

A savings bond matures on a specific date printed on the bond itself — usually 20 or 30 years after you purchase it, depending on the type. Once a bond reaches its maturity date, it stops earning interest. You can still hold it after maturity, but your money is no longer growing.

The maturity date is not something you choose or negotiate. It is determined by the bond type and the purchase date. Series EE bonds mature in 30 years. Series I bonds (inflation bonds) mature in 30 years. Series HH bonds, which are no longer sold, matured in 20 years. You will find the exact maturity date on your bond certificate or in your TreasuryDirect account if you own electronic bonds.

Understanding when your bond matures matters because it affects when you should cash it in and what your money will be worth. A bond that has stopped earning interest is simply sitting there — you are not gaining anything by holding it past maturity.

Key Takeaways

  • Series EE and Series I bonds mature 30 years after purchase, and the maturity date is printed on your bond or shown in your TreasuryDirect account.
  • After maturity, your bond stops earning interest, so holding it longer does not increase its value.
  • You can cash in a mature bond at any time by contacting your bank or logging into TreasuryDirect, with no penalty for waiting past the maturity date.
  • If you need the money before maturity, you can redeem most bonds early, but Series EE bonds held less than five years will lose the last three months of interest as a penalty.

How to find your bond's maturity date

If you own paper bonds, the maturity date is printed on the certificate itself, usually near the issue date. Look for a line that says "Final Maturity Date" or similar language. The date will be exactly 20 or 30 years from the issue date, depending on the bond series.

If you own electronic bonds through TreasuryDirect, log into your account and view your holdings. Each bond listing shows the purchase date and the maturity date side by side. You can also download a statement of your account that includes all maturity dates.

If you have lost track of a paper bond and do not have the certificate, you can contact the Bureau of the Public Debt at 844-284-2676 or visit treasurydirect.gov to search for it using your Social Security number and other identifying information.

What happens when a bond reaches maturity

When your bond reaches its maturity date, the interest stops accruing immediately. The bond is now worth its face value plus all the interest it earned over its lifetime. That total amount is what you will receive if you cash it in.

You do not have to cash it in on the maturity date. You can hold a mature bond indefinitely with no penalty. However, holding it longer serves no purpose — your money is not earning anything. The bond will not grow in value, and you will not receive any additional interest payments.

Some people hold mature bonds by accident, simply forgetting about them. If this happens to you, there is no harm done, but you are missing the opportunity to put that money to work elsewhere.

Cashing in a bond after it matures

To cash in a mature bond, you have two main routes depending on whether it is paper or electronic. For electronic bonds held in TreasuryDirect, log into your account, select the bond, and request redemption. The money will be deposited into your linked bank account within a few business days.

For paper bonds, take the certificate to your bank and ask to redeem it. Most banks will cash savings bonds for their customers at no charge. Bring a photo ID and be prepared to sign the back of the certificate. If your bank does not handle savings bonds, call ahead to confirm before making the trip.

There is no deadline for cashing in a mature bond, and you will not lose money by waiting. You simply will not earn any interest during the waiting period.

Early redemption before maturity

You can redeem most savings bonds before they reach maturity, but the rules vary by bond type and how long you have held them. Series EE and Series I bonds can be redeemed after one year of ownership. However, if you redeem a Series EE bond before it has been held for five years, you will lose the last three months of interest as a penalty.

Series I bonds have no early redemption penalty, but you must hold them for at least one year before you can cash them in. If you redeem an I bond before it has been held for five years, you will not lose interest, but you will forfeit the last three months of interest earnings.

The penalty exists to discourage people from treating savings bonds like a regular savings account. The government wants you to hold them for the long term. If you need money urgently, a savings bond is not the best place to keep it.

The difference between maturity and final redemption

Maturity is when a bond stops earning interest. Final redemption is when the U.S. Treasury stops honoring the bond entirely. For most savings bonds, final redemption happens 30 years after maturity — so 60 years after purchase for a Series EE bond.

After final redemption, you can no longer cash the bond. You must redeem it before that date or you will lose the money. This is rare because most people cash bonds long before final redemption arrives, but it is important to know the deadline exists.

If you have a very old bond and are unsure whether it is still redeemable, contact the Bureau of the Public Debt or check treasurydirect.gov. They can tell you the final redemption date and confirm whether the bond is still valid.

Tracking multiple bonds and their maturity dates

If you own several bonds purchased at different times, keeping track of maturity dates can become confusing. The easiest way is to maintain a simple spreadsheet with the bond series, purchase date, maturity date, and current value. Update it once a year so you know which bonds are approaching maturity.

For electronic bonds, TreasuryDirect does this work for you. Your account dashboard shows all holdings with their maturity dates listed. You can sort by maturity date to see which bonds are maturing soon.

For paper bonds, write the maturity date on the certificate itself with a permanent marker if it is not already clear. Store the certificates in a safe place — a home safe, safe deposit box, or fireproof container — and keep a list of what you own and where it is stored.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash in a bond after it matures?

Yes. A mature bond can be redeemed at any time with no penalty. You simply stop earning interest once the maturity date passes. Take paper bonds to your bank or redeem electronic bonds through TreasuryDirect.

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

Series EE and Series I bonds mature in 30 years. Series HH bonds, no longer sold, matured in 20 years. The maturity period is fixed by the bond type and cannot be changed. A longer maturity period means more time to earn interest.

Do I lose money if I hold a bond past maturity?

No. Holding a mature bond does not cost you anything. You simply stop earning interest. The bond will be worth the same whether you cash it in on maturity day or ten years later, but you are missing the chance to earn interest elsewhere.

What happens if I never cash in my bond?

Your bond will eventually reach final redemption, at which point the Treasury will no longer honor it. For most bonds, this is 30 years after maturity. After that date, you cannot cash it. Check treasurydirect.gov if you are unsure of your bond's final redemption date.

How do I know if my old bond is still worth something?

Contact the Bureau of the Public Debt at 844-284-2676 or visit treasurydirect.gov and search for your bond using your Social Security number. They can tell you the current value, maturity date, and final redemption date.