How Long Until Your Savings Bond Matures

A U.S. savings bond reaches final maturity — the point at which the Treasury stops paying interest — at a set number of years after you buy it. For Series EE bonds, final maturity is 30 years. For Series I bonds, final maturity is also 30 years. Once a bond reaches final maturity, it stops earning interest entirely, even if you do not cash it in.

This is different from the original maturity date, which is when the bond first stops earning interest at its original rate. For Series EE bonds, original maturity is 20 years. For Series I bonds, there is no original maturity — they earn interest for the full 30 years at whatever rate is in effect each six-month period.

You do not have to cash in your bond when it reaches final maturity, but there is no reason to hold it after that point, since you will earn nothing. The Treasury will not automatically send you money; you must redeem the bond yourself through a bank, credit union, or the TreasuryDirect website.

Key Takeaways

  • Series EE bonds stop earning interest after 30 years from the purchase date, and Series I bonds also stop earning after 30 years.
  • Series EE bonds reach original maturity at 20 years, meaning they stop earning their initial rate, but they continue to earn at a new rate until year 30.
  • Once a bond reaches final maturity, it earns zero interest, so holding it longer provides no financial benefit.
  • You must redeem your bond yourself — the Treasury does not automatically pay you when maturity arrives.
  • You can redeem a bond at any time after one year of ownership, even before it reaches maturity.

Series EE Bond Maturity Timeline

A Series EE bond purchased today will reach original maturity 20 years after the purchase date. At that point, the bond stops earning interest at the rate you locked in when you bought it. However, the bond does not stop earning entirely — it enters an extended maturity period and begins earning at a new rate set by the Treasury.

The bond continues earning at this new rate for another 10 years, until it reaches final maturity at year 30. After year 30, the bond earns nothing. If you bought a Series EE bond on January 15, 2024, it would reach original maturity on January 15, 2044, and final maturity on January 15, 2054.

You can cash in a Series EE bond at any time after one year of ownership. If you redeem it before five years have passed, you lose the last three months of interest as a penalty. After five years, there is no penalty for early redemption.

Series I Bond Maturity Timeline

A Series I bond has no original maturity date. Instead, it earns interest for the full 30 years at whatever rate the Treasury sets every six months. The rate changes on May 1 and November 1 each year, and your bond's rate adjusts automatically on those dates.

Series I bonds reach final maturity 30 years after purchase. A bond bought on March 10, 2024, would reach final maturity on March 10, 2054, and would stop earning interest on that date.

Like Series EE bonds, you can redeem a Series I bond at any time after one year of ownership. If you redeem before five years have passed, you forfeit the last three months of interest. After five years, you can redeem with no penalty.

What Happens When Your Bond Reaches Final Maturity

When a bond reaches final maturity, the interest stops accruing when ready. The bond has a fixed value at that moment, and that value never changes. If you hold the bond for another year, five years, or ten years without redeeming it, you will receive exactly the same amount when you finally cash it in.

The Treasury does not notify you when your bond reaches maturity, and they do not send you a check. You must take action to redeem it. You can redeem through a bank or credit union by presenting the bond in person, or you can redeem through TreasuryDirect online if the bond is registered there.

Some people hold matured bonds for years without realizing they are no longer earning interest. If you have old bonds, you can check their maturity date on the TreasuryDirect website or by contacting the Treasury's Savings Bonds Division.

How to Find Your Bond's Maturity Date

If you own bonds through TreasuryDirect, you can log into your account and view the maturity date for each bond. The account shows the purchase date, the series (EE or I), and the final maturity date automatically.

If you own paper bonds, the maturity date is not printed on the bond itself. You must calculate it based on the series and the issue date. The issue date appears on the front of the bond. For a Series EE bond, add 30 years to the issue date. For a Series I bond, add 30 years to the issue date.

You can also contact the Treasury's Savings Bonds Division by phone at 1-844-284-2676 or through the TreasuryDirect website to look up the maturity date of a specific bond if you have the serial number and issue date.

Redeeming Your Bond Before or After Maturity

You can redeem a savings bond at any time after one year of ownership, regardless of whether it has reached maturity. If you redeem before five years have passed, you lose the last three months of interest as a penalty. This penalty applies whether the bond is before or after maturity.

If your bond has already reached final maturity and you redeem it, you receive the full value it had on the maturity date — no more, no less. There is no benefit to waiting to redeem a matured bond.

To redeem a paper bond, take it to a bank or credit union and ask to redeem it. You will need to provide identification. To redeem a bond held in TreasuryDirect, log into your account, select the bond, and request redemption. The money is deposited into your linked bank account within a few business days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep a savings bond after it reaches final maturity?

Yes, you can hold a matured bond indefinitely, but it will not earn any interest. The bond's value is fixed on the maturity date and never changes. There is no financial reason to hold it after maturity — you should redeem it and move the money to an account that earns interest.

What is the difference between original maturity and final maturity?

Original maturity (Series EE only) is when the bond stops earning at its initial rate, usually 20 years after purchase. Final maturity is when the bond stops earning interest altogether, 30 years after purchase. Series I bonds have no original maturity — they earn continuously until final maturity at 30 years.

Do I lose money if I redeem my bond before maturity?

You do not lose the principal you invested, but you may lose some interest. If you redeem within five years of purchase, you forfeit the last three months of interest. After five years, you receive all accrued interest with no penalty, even if the bond has not reached maturity.

Will the Treasury send me money when my bond matures?

No. The Treasury does not automatically pay you or notify you when a bond reaches maturity. You must redeem the bond yourself through a bank, credit union, or TreasuryDirect. If you do not redeem it, the money stays locked in the bond earning zero interest.

How do I know when my bond will mature?

If your bond is in TreasuryDirect, log into your account to see the maturity date. If you own a paper bond, add 30 years to the issue date printed on the front. You can also call the Treasury's Savings Bonds Division at 1-844-284-2676 with the bond's serial number and issue date.