How to Cash a Savings Bond 2026: Series EE, I, and E Bonds

To cash a savings bond, log into TreasuryDirect (for electronic bonds) or ask your bank whether it will cash it, or send it to Treasury (for paper bonds). For electronic bonds, the money should be credited within two business days of the redemption date. The key rule: EE and I bonds must be at least 12 months old to redeem, and cashing before 5 years costs you the last 3 months of interest. This guide covers Series EE, I, and old Series E bonds — including how to find out what your bond is worth today.

Savings Bond Types at a Glance (2026)

Old Series E bonds issued from May 1941 through November 1965 matured after 40 years; those issued from December 1965 through June 1980 matured after 30 years. All Series E bonds have matured and stopped earning interest.

How to Cash a Savings Bond: Electronic (TreasuryDirect)

If you bought savings bonds through a TreasuryDirect account, they are electronic and are redeemed through that account.

Step 1: Log in at TreasuryDirect.gov

Step 2: Click the “ManageDirect” tab, then “Redeem securities” under the “Manage My Securities” heading

Step 3: Select the bond(s) you want to redeem

Step 4: Choose full or partial redemption (a partial redemption must be at least $25 and leave at least $25 in the bond), pick the bank account to credit, and click “Review”

Step 5: Confirm and submit — the payment goes by direct deposit to the bank account you chose

No fee, no paperwork, no bank visit required. The TreasuryDirect account also shows the current value of each bond before you decide to redeem.

How to Cash a Paper Savings Bond: At a Bank

Some banks and credit unions will cash paper bonds, but not all do. Bring:

• The original paper bond
• Identification the bank accepts, such as a driver’s license or passport (ask the bank what it needs)
• Your Social Security number (it should match the one on the bond)

Bank limits: Banks vary in how much they will cash at one time, or whether they cash savings bonds at all. Treasury suggests starting with a bank where you already have an account. Call ahead to confirm your branch can process the redemption.

If your bank won’t redeem the bond:

1. Try a different bank or credit union, since policies vary
2. Mail the bond directly to the US Treasury with FS Form 1522 (if the bonds are worth more than $1,000, your signature must be certified)

How to Find Out What Your Bond Is Worth

For a paper bond, use the TreasuryDirect Savings Bond Calculator at treasurydirect.gov/BC/SBCPrice:

1. Select the bond series (EE, I, E, etc.)
2. Enter the denomination (face value printed on the bond)
3. Enter the bond’s serial number (optional but helpful)
4. Enter the issue date (month and year printed on the bond)
5. Select the valuation date (today’s date to see current value)

What you’ll see:

• Current redemption value
• Interest earned to date
• Final maturity date (when the bond stops earning)

Early Redemption Penalty: The 3-Month Rule

If you redeem a Series EE or I bond before it is 5 years old, you forfeit the last 3 months of interest.

Example: A Series I bond issued June 2024, redeemed in September 2026 (27 months old). You earned 27 months of interest but receive only 24 months — the June, July, and August 2026 interest is forfeited.

After 5 full years (60 months), there is no early redemption penalty. The bond continues earning until 30 years.

Tax Rules for Savings Bond Interest

Reporting method choice: By default, you defer reporting interest until redemption (cash method). You can elect to report interest annually as it accrues. For bonds registered only in a child’s name, the interest is the child’s income, and the child (or a parent acting for the child) can choose to report it each year.

Series I Bond Rates (2026)

Series I bonds earn a composite rate that combines a fixed rate with an inflation rate (based on CPI-U), calculated by a Treasury formula. The Treasury announces new rates each May 1 and November 1.

Your specific bond’s rate depends on its issue date. Each bond’s rate adjusts every 6 months from its individual issue anniversary.

Purchase limits: $10,000 per Social Security number per calendar year in electronic I bonds through TreasuryDirect. Paper I bonds, including those once bought with a tax refund, are no longer sold.

Inherited Savings Bonds

If you inherited savings bonds, what you can do depends on the situation, such as how the bond is registered and whether there is an estate. For paper bonds, you may need:

• Death certificate of the original owner
• Proof of your identity
• The physical bond(s)

For bonds that cannot be redeemed at a bank due to estate issues, Treasury’s death-of-owner pages explain which forms and documents apply to each situation.

For current high-yield savings alternatives to savings bonds, see the best high-yield savings accounts and the HYSA vs Treasury bills comparison.

Written by WealthVieu

WealthVieu researches and writes data-driven personal finance guides using primary sources including the IRS, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve, and Census Bureau.