Your savings bond's current value depends on its series, issue date, and how long you've held it

A savings bond is worth more than its purchase price the longer you hold it, because the U.S. Treasury adds interest. The exact amount depends on which series you own — Series EE bonds work differently from Series I bonds, and older bonds from the 1980s or 1990s work differently still. You cannot find the value by looking at the bond itself; you have to check it against Treasury records using the bond's serial number and series letter.

The fastest way to find your bond's current value is the Treasury's online tool, TreasuryDirect Savings Bond Calculator. You enter the series, denomination, and issue date, and it shows you what the bond is worth today. If you have physical bonds you bought decades ago, you may need to search your records for the exact issue date, which appears on the bond certificate itself.

If you cannot locate the issue date or serial number, you can contact the Bureau of the Fiscal Service, which maintains records of all registered savings bonds. They can look up bonds by owner name and Social Security number, though the process takes several weeks by mail.

Key Takeaways

  • Series EE bonds purchased before May 2003 are may provide to double in value after 20 years; Series EE bonds purchased after May 2003 earn a fixed rate set by the Treasury every six months.
  • Series I bonds earn a combined rate of a fixed portion plus an inflation rate that changes every six months, so their value grows faster during high-inflation periods.
  • The TreasuryDirect Savings Bond Calculator is the official tool to check your bond's current worth and requires only the series, denomination, and issue date.
  • Older bonds issued before 1974 may still be earning interest and worth more than their face value, even if you have not checked them in decades.
  • You cannot cash a bond until it is at least one year old, and you lose the last three months of interest if you cash it before five years have passed.

How Series EE bonds build value over time

Series EE bonds sold before May 2003 have a 20-year doubling may provide. This means if you paid $50 for a bond, it is may provide to be worth at least $100 after 20 years, regardless of interest rates. After 20 years, the bond continues to earn interest for up to 30 years total, though the rate may change.

Series EE bonds sold from May 2003 onward do not have the doubling may provide. Instead, they earn a fixed interest rate that the Treasury sets every six months. The rate applies to all bonds issued during that six-month period. For example, a Series EE bond issued in January 2024 earns whatever rate was announced for that period, and that rate stays the same for the life of the bond. You can find the current and historical rates on the TreasuryDirect website under "Rates & Terms."

The interest on Series EE bonds is compounded semiannually, meaning the Treasury adds interest twice a year, and future interest is calculated on the growing total. A $50 bond purchased in 2000 and held for 20 years would be worth $100 or more; the exact amount depends on the interest rate during those years.

How Series I bonds build value differently

Series I bonds earn interest in two parts: a fixed rate and an inflation rate. The fixed rate never changes for the life of the bond. The inflation rate changes every six months based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures how fast prices are rising. The Treasury announces new inflation rates on May 1 and November 1 each year.

When inflation is high, Series I bonds become more valuable faster because the inflation portion of the rate increases. For example, if a Series I bond has a fixed rate of 1.0% and the inflation rate is announced as 3.5%, the bond earns 4.5% that six-month period. Six months later, if inflation drops and the new rate is 2.0%, the bond earns only 3.0% for the next six months. The fixed rate of 1.0% never changes, but the total rate does.

Series I bonds are often purchased during high-inflation years because the total return is higher. However, they also have the same one-year holding requirement and three-month interest penalty as Series EE bonds.

Using the TreasuryDirect calculator to check your bond value

Go to the TreasuryDirect website and select "Savings Bond Calculator" from the main menu. You will see fields for series (EE or I), denomination (the amount you paid: $25, $50, $100, or $200 for paper bonds; $25 to $10,000 for electronic bonds), and issue date.

The issue date is printed on the bond certificate itself, usually near the top or bottom. It is not the date you purchased it; it is the official date the Treasury assigned to it. For electronic bonds held in a TreasuryDirect account, you can log in and see the issue date listed with each bond.

Enter these three pieces of information and click "Calculate." The tool shows you the current value, the amount of interest earned, and the next interest payment date. This value is accurate as of the date you run the calculator.

What to do if you have lost bonds or cannot find the issue date

If you own physical bonds but have lost the certificate or cannot read the issue date clearly, contact the Bureau of the Fiscal Service at 1-844-284-2676 or visit their website at fiscal.treasury.gov. You can also mail a request to the address listed on their site. You will need to provide your name, Social Security number, and any information you remember about the bonds (approximate purchase year, series, or denomination).

The Bureau maintains records of all registered savings bonds. If your bonds were registered in your name, they can look them up and provide the issue date and current value. This process typically takes four to eight weeks by mail. If your bonds were never registered or were purchased as gifts without registration, the Bureau may not have records, and you will need to rely on any documentation you have.

Bonds issued before 1974 may still be earning interest. Even if you have not checked them in 30 or 40 years, they may be worth significantly more than their face value. The Bureau can help you determine whether old bonds are still active and what they are worth.

Penalties for cashing bonds early

You cannot cash a savings bond until it has been held for at least one year. If you try to cash it before then, the bank or financial institution will refuse.

If you cash a bond between one and five years after purchase, you lose the last three months of interest. For example, if you cash a bond after three years and two months, you receive interest only through the previous six-month mark (three years), not through the current date. This penalty applies to both Series EE and Series I bonds.

After five years, you can cash the bond without losing any interest. The value you receive is the full current value shown in the TreasuryDirect calculator. There is no penalty after the five-year mark, though the bond continues to earn interest if you hold it longer.

Bonds held in a TreasuryDirect account versus paper bonds

If you own bonds through a TreasuryDirect account (the online system run by the Treasury), you can log in anytime and see the current value of each bond listed in your account. The value updates daily as interest accrues. You can also see the issue date, series, denomination, and the date you purchased it.

Paper bonds — physical certificates you hold in your possession — do not update automatically. You must use the TreasuryDirect calculator or contact the Bureau of the Fiscal Service to find out what they are worth. Paper bonds issued before 2012 are no longer sold by the Treasury, so if you have physical bonds, they were likely purchased before that year.

Both types of bonds earn interest the same way and have the same redemption rules. The only difference is how you track their value and how you cash them. Paper bonds are cashed at a bank, while TreasuryDirect bonds are redeemed through your online account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I find out what my savings bond is worth without the issue date?

Not using the online calculator — you need the issue date to use that tool. However, you can contact the Bureau of the Fiscal Service with your name and Social Security number, and they can search their records to find your bonds and tell you what they are worth. This takes several weeks by mail.

Do savings bonds earn interest after 30 years?

Series EE bonds stop earning interest after 30 years from the issue date. Series I bonds stop earning interest after 30 years as well. After that point, the bond is worth whatever it was worth on the 30-year anniversary, and it earns nothing more. You should cash it or contact the Treasury about what happens next.

What is the difference between the value shown in the calculator and what the bank will give me?

The calculator shows the current value as of the date you run it. When you actually cash the bond at a bank, the value may be slightly different if interest has accrued since you checked. The difference is usually small — a few cents to a few dollars — but it depends on when the last interest payment was made.

If I own a bond from 1985, is it still worth anything?

Yes, if it is a Series EE bond issued before May 2003, it is may provide to be worth at least double what you paid for it. It may be worth much more depending on the interest rates during the years you held it. Use the calculator with the 1985 issue date to find the exact current value, or contact the Bureau of the Fiscal Service if you cannot find the issue date.

Why is my Series I bond worth less than it was six months ago?

Series I bonds do not decrease in value — they can only stay the same or increase. If you think your bond is worth less, you may be confusing the interest rate with the bond value. The interest rate can go down when inflation drops, which means future interest will be smaller, but the bond's total value never goes backward. Check the calculator to confirm the current value.