Series EE bonds mature at 30 years from the issue date

A Series EE savings bond reaches final maturity exactly 30 years after the date printed on the bond itself. That date is when the U.S. Treasury stops paying interest on the bond. You can cash the bond anytime after that point, but you will not earn any additional interest if you hold it longer.

The issue date is the month and year the bond was purchased or received as a gift. If your bond says "May 2024," it will reach final maturity in May 2054. The Treasury will not automatically send you money or notify you when this happens — you have to track the date yourself and decide whether to cash it in.

Before final maturity arrives, Series EE bonds stop earning interest at the 20-year mark. From year 20 onward, the bond's value stays the same unless you cash it. This means holding a Series EE bond for 25 or 30 years does not give you more money than holding it for 20 years.

Key Takeaways

  • Series EE bonds stop earning interest after 20 years, so the bond's value does not grow between year 20 and year 30.
  • Final maturity occurs at 30 years from the issue date, after which you can cash the bond but will earn nothing more.
  • The Treasury does not send a notice when a bond reaches maturity — you must track the date yourself.
  • You can cash a Series EE bond anytime after purchase, but the full may provide value is reached at 20 years.
  • After final maturity at 30 years, the bond no longer earns interest and should be cashed in or redeemed.

How the 20-year may provide works

Series EE bonds sold after May 2003 come with a 20-year may provide. This means the Treasury promises the bond will be worth at least double the purchase price after 20 years. If the bond's interest earnings do not reach that doubling amount on their own, the Treasury adds a one-time adjustment to make up the difference.

Once that 20-year point passes, no more interest accrues. The bond's value is locked in. If you hold the bond from year 20 to year 30, the amount you can cash it for stays exactly the same. The only reason to hold past 20 years is if you straightforward have not gotten around to cashing it yet.

Bonds purchased before May 2003 may have different terms. Some older Series EE bonds earn interest for 40 years instead of 30. Check the purchase date on your bond to know which rule applies.

What happens when you cash a Series EE bond

You can cash a Series EE bond at most banks and credit unions, or through the Treasury's TreasuryDirect website. You will receive the current value of the bond — the original purchase price plus all interest earned up to that point. The Treasury will issue you a check or deposit the money directly to your bank account if you use TreasuryDirect.

When you cash the bond, you become responsible for reporting the interest as income on your federal tax return. The interest is subject to federal income tax, though not state or local tax. You can report the interest in the year you cash the bond, or you can report it in the year the bond was issued if you prefer — but you must choose one method and stick with it for that bond.

If the bond was issued in someone else's name (such as a bond given to you as a gift), the original owner is responsible for the tax on the interest, not you. The original owner can decide when to report the interest — either when the bond matures or when it is cashed.

Tracking your bond's maturity date

Write down or store the issue date from each Series EE bond you own. The issue date appears on the bond certificate itself, usually in the upper left corner. Set a reminder for 20 years after that date so you remember to check the bond's current value and decide whether to cash it.

You can look up bonds you own through TreasuryDirect if you purchased them online. Log into your account and view your holdings — the system shows the issue date, current value, and maturity date for each bond. If you own paper bonds, you will need to keep track of them yourself or contact the Treasury's Savings Bond Division.

After 30 years, a Series EE bond no longer earns interest and has no reason to remain uncashed. Cashing it frees up the money and closes out the tax reporting for that bond. There is no penalty for cashing a Series EE bond after it reaches final maturity.

The difference between maturity and final maturity

In savings bond terminology, maturity and final maturity mean different things. Maturity refers to the point where the bond stops earning interest — for Series EE bonds, that is 20 years. Final maturity is when the Treasury's obligation to hold the bond ends — 30 years.

You can cash a Series EE bond anytime after purchase, even before the 20-year maturity point. However, if you cash it before 5 years have passed, you will lose the last three months of interest as a penalty. After 5 years, you can cash it without penalty, but you will not receive the full may provide value unless you wait until year 20.

Between year 20 and year 30, the bond's value does not change. Holding it longer does not help you. At year 30, the bond reaches final maturity and stops being a valid Treasury security.

What to do with a bond that has reached final maturity

If you discover you own a Series EE bond that is already past 30 years old, you can still cash it. The bond is no longer earning interest, but it retains its value. Contact your bank or log into TreasuryDirect to redeem it for the amount it was worth at the 30-year mark.

Bonds that reach final maturity do not automatically become worthless. They straightforward stop being an investment vehicle. The money is still yours and can be withdrawn at any time, even decades after the 30-year point. However, there is no financial reason to hold onto it — you are not earning anything by waiting.

If you have lost track of a bond's location or details, the Treasury's Savings Bond Division can help you search for it. You will need to provide information about when and where it was purchased, and the name of the person who owns it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash a Series EE bond before it matures?

Yes, you can cash a Series EE bond anytime after purchase. However, if you cash it within the first 5 years, you lose the last three months of interest. After 5 years, there is no penalty, but you will not receive the full may provide value unless you wait until year 20.

What happens if I don't cash my bond at 20 years?

The bond stops earning interest at 20 years, so its value stays the same. You can hold it until year 30 (final maturity) without any penalty, but you will not earn any additional money. After 30 years, the bond no longer has any financial purpose.

Do I have to pay taxes when the bond matures?

You do not pay taxes when the bond reaches maturity. You pay federal income tax on the interest when you cash the bond and report it on your tax return. You can choose to report the interest in the year you cash it or in the year it was issued.

What if my Series EE bond is older than 30 years?

You can still cash it for the value it reached at the 30-year mark. The bond is no longer earning interest, but the money is still yours. Contact your bank or TreasuryDirect to redeem it.

How do I know the exact maturity date of my bond?

Add 20 years to the issue date printed on the bond for the interest maturity date, and add 30 years for final maturity. If you own bonds through TreasuryDirect, log into your account to see the maturity dates listed for each bond.