Series EE bonds mature at 30 years from the issue date, though you can cash them in anytime after five years without penalty

A Series EE savings bond reaches final maturity 30 years after you buy it. At that point, the bond stops earning interest and you should cash it in. However, you do not have to wait the full 30 years — you can redeem the bond anytime after the first five years without losing any of the interest you have earned.

The maturity date is printed on your bond certificate or listed in your TreasuryDirect account if you own electronic bonds. You can calculate it yourself by adding 30 years to the issue date shown on the bond. For example, a bond issued on May 15, 2024, matures on May 15, 2054.

After a bond matures, it no longer earns interest. If you do not redeem it, your money sits idle. The Treasury will not automatically cash it for you, so it is your responsibility to initiate the redemption.

Key Takeaways

  • Series EE bonds stop earning interest 30 years after the issue date, so holding them beyond maturity means your money earns nothing.
  • You can redeem a Series EE bond anytime after five years without penalty, even if the full 30-year maturity period has not passed.
  • The maturity date appears on your bond certificate or in your TreasuryDirect account, and you can also calculate it by adding 30 years to the issue date.
  • After maturity, you must manually redeem the bond through your bank or TreasuryDirect; the Treasury does not automatically cash it.

The difference between maturity and when you can cash it

Maturity and redemption are not the same thing. A bond reaches maturity at 30 years, but you have the right to cash it in much earlier. After five years, you can redeem the bond whenever you want without any penalty or loss of interest.

The five-year waiting period is the only real restriction. If you redeem a Series EE bond within the first five years, you lose the last three months of interest as a penalty. After five years, there is no penalty — you get all the interest earned up to the redemption date.

Many people cash in their Series EE bonds well before the 30-year maturity date because they need the money or want to move it to another investment. There is nothing wrong with doing this once the five-year mark has passed.

What happens if you do not redeem a mature bond

If you hold a Series EE bond past its 30-year maturity date, it simply stops earning interest. Your principal and all accumulated interest remain safe — the Treasury will not take the money back or charge you a fee. However, you are earning zero percent on that money, which means you are losing purchasing power to inflation.

The bond does not expire or become worthless. You can still redeem it at any time after maturity and receive the full value. But the longer you wait, the more opportunity cost you incur because the money could be earning interest elsewhere.

The Treasury does not send you a notice when your bond matures. It is your job to track the maturity date and decide what to do with the money. If you own bonds through TreasuryDirect, you can set a reminder in your account or calendar.

How to find your bond's maturity date

If you own a paper Series EE bond, the issue date is printed on the front of the certificate. Look for the line that says "Issue Date" — it will show the month and year. Add 30 years to that date to find the maturity date.

If you own electronic bonds through TreasuryDirect, log into your account and view your holdings. The issue date and maturity date are both listed for each bond. TreasuryDirect also shows how much interest the bond has earned to date and its current redemption value.

You can also call the Treasury's customer service line or visit the TreasuryDirect website to look up a bond's details if you have lost the certificate or cannot access your account.

Redeeming a mature bond through your bank

If you own a paper Series EE bond, you can redeem it at most banks and credit unions, even after maturity. Bring the bond certificate and a valid ID. The bank will verify the bond, process the redemption, and deposit the funds into your account or pay you in cash.

Some banks may charge a small fee for this service, though many do not. Call your bank ahead of time to ask about their process and whether they charge. If your bank does not redeem savings bonds, they can usually direct you to a bank that does.

The redemption is typically processed within a few business days. You will receive the full value of the bond — principal plus all interest earned through the redemption date.

Redeeming through TreasuryDirect

Electronic Series EE bonds can only be redeemed through TreasuryDirect. Log into your account, select the bond you want to redeem, and request the redemption. The funds are deposited into the bank account linked to your TreasuryDirect account within one to three business days.

TreasuryDirect shows you the exact redemption value before you confirm the transaction, so you know exactly how much you will receive. There are no fees for redeeming through TreasuryDirect.

You can redeem a bond anytime during business hours through TreasuryDirect, including after maturity. The process takes just a few minutes.

Tax considerations when you redeem

When you redeem a Series EE bond, you owe federal income tax on the interest you earned, not on the principal. You do not owe tax when the bond matures — only when you cash it in. This means you can delay redeeming a mature bond to delay paying taxes, though the bond will earn nothing in the meantime.

You will receive a Form 1099-INT from the Treasury showing the interest earned. Report this on your federal tax return for the year you redeem the bond. State and local taxes may also apply depending on where you live.

If you bought the bond to pay for education expenses, you may be able to exclude some or all of the interest from federal tax under the Education Savings Bond Program, but only if you meet specific requirements. Consult a tax professional if you think this applies to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash in a Series EE bond before it matures?

Yes. You can redeem a Series EE bond anytime after five years without penalty. If you redeem within the first five years, you lose the last three months of interest. After five years, you get all interest earned.

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

Series EE bonds mature at 30 years. Series I bonds also mature at 30 years. Both can be redeemed anytime after five years. The main difference is how interest is calculated — Series EE earns a fixed rate, while Series I earns a rate that adjusts every six months based on inflation.

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

No. You can redeem it anytime after maturity. However, it will not earn any interest after the 30-year mark, so holding it longer means your money is not growing.

What happens if I lose my Series EE bond certificate?

Contact the Treasury at 1-844-284-2676 or visit TreasuryDirect.gov to report it lost. You can request a replacement or have the bond reissued electronically. Bring proof of ownership, such as your purchase receipt or tax records showing the bond.

Can I transfer a mature Series EE bond to someone else?

Series EE bonds are registered to the owner and cannot be transferred. If you want to give the money to someone else, you must redeem the bond first and then give them the cash or deposit it into an account in their name.