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[W386]What Are Savings Bonds

by Max Plata, Max

Although you may already know a little about savings bonds, either owning them yourself or having given one as a gift, you may not know that there are different types. Each type has its own set of rules and also different ways that they can be used.

I Bonds are saving bonds that are low-risk and also a liquid savings product. During the time that you own them they earn interest and also protect you from inflation.

I Bonds can be purchased at just about any local financial institution, or also through payroll deduction.

What are they used for? I Bonds savings bonds can be used to finance education, supplement your retirement income, or also given as a gift.

With I Bonds, you are guaranteed a real rate of return since they are an accrual-type security. Each month interest is added to the savings bond, and that interest is paid to you when you cash in the bond.

They are sold at face value. For instance, you pay $50 for a $50 I Bond.

You must own an I Bond for a minimum of one year, its interest-earning period is 30 years, and there are early redemption penalties. Interest earnings are tax-exempt from both State and local taxes, but they are subject to State and local estate, inheritance, gift, and other excise taxes. Interest earnings are subject to Federal income tax, but they may be excluded from Federal income tax when they are used to finance education.

Another type is the EE savings bonds. They are safe and low-risk savings bonds that pay interest based on market rates. As with I Bonds, EE savings bonds can be purchased at just about any financial institution or, if available, through your employer's payroll deduction plan.

EE Bonds can be used to finance education, supplement your retirement income, or even given as a gift.

Any EE/E savings bond that were purchased between May 1997 and April 30, 2005 are set to earn a variable market-based rate of return. Those issued May 2005 and after are set to earn a fixed rate of interest.

EE savings bonds are also an accrual-type security, having interest added monthly and paid when it the bond is cashed in. However, unlike I Bonds, EE savings bonds are sold at half of its face value. For example, a $50 bond is purchased for $25.

There is a minimum of one year ownership, a 30-year interest period, and also early redemption penalties. The Tax Considerations for EE savings bonds are the same as those for the I Bonds.

Lastly are HH savings bonds. Unlike both I and EE savings bonds, HH are used only to supplement retirement income. They are available only in exchange for Series EE/E savings bonds or upon reinvestment of any matured Series H bonds.

As with I Bonds, HH savings bonds are sold for its face value. For example, you pay $500 for a $500 bond. HH/H savings bonds pay a fixed interest rate that was set on the day it was purchased. The interest rate will change to the current HH Bond rate on the 10 th anniversary of its issue date.

You must own HH savings bonds for a minimum of 6 months, and the interest-earning period is 20 years.

Interest earnings for HH savings bonds are exempt from State and local income taxes. However, they are subject to Federal, State, and local estate, inheritance, gift, and other excise taxes. Its interest earnings are also subject to Federal income tax.

Let's be honest with ourselves, saving bonds are not as risky or as exciting as stocks, but, isn't that basically the point? While there's pretty much no such thing as a no-risk investment, chances are, a savings bond is about as risk-free as your going to get, especially US savings bonds. Chances are, you or someone you may know, was probably given one as a child. The unfortunately part of this all is that the popularity of these investment vehicles have been on a slow decline as few people are totally aware of there benefits. There is a reason why most of the successful stock market millionaires also hold a position in US saving bonds. There's a very good reason for it.

What is a US Savings Bond?

Saving bonds are pretty much a type of long term investment that used to be fairly popular. There are quite a few different types of savings bonds out there, but these types of saving bonds are without a doubt the most reliable, being backed by the US government in guarantee and quality that is something that plays on the positive aspects of a US savings bond. In simple terms, a savings bond of this type is essentially a loan to the US government and the bond itself is a guarantee that the ?loan? will be paid back in full after a set duration of time during which time, the bond will mature.

Where Can I Buy a US Savings Bond?

If you're looking for a savings bond, then the best place to acquire one would probably be from your local bank. Savings bonds can be purchased for a set amount for a set fee. In most cases, the fee is half the amount of the total value of the bond, so they are essentially a fantastic way of saving money for something long term without all the hassle. This is why US saving bonds have been determined to be a top investment choice, one of the most reliable and predictable of bonds. In short, the best place to acquire a US savings bond would be from your local bank.

How Long Must I Wait Before Cashing in My Bond?

Depending on the type of bond you purchased, the maturity date will vary. Knowing the type of savings bond before you purchase is always an intelligent move. Since you purchase your I-bond at face value and receive interest annually, you will be able to cash in at anytime after 12 months from the date you purchased it. However, it is important that you keep in mind that if you cash in your I-bond within the first 5 years, there will be a 3 month interest penalty. This is to encourage long term savings. As for Series EE Bonds, if you hold till maturity, you will not get any interest on your investment after that period. So remembering your maturity date is very important. You can cash in a Series EE Bond at anytime after 12 months of purchase date.

Saving bonds are not the type of thing just anybody can get into. Some people are more interested in the type of investment they can get a quick return from, and that is okay, just not ideal for US savings bonds. Despite this, it is a great way of getting your feet wet as far as making investments go, and putting some money away for a rainy day.

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Both Max Plata & Uchenna Ani-okoye are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Max Plata has sinced written about articles on various topics from Computers and The Internet, Family Concerns and Home Management. . Max Plata's top article generates over 12100 views. to your Favourites.

Uchenna Ani-okoye has sinced written about articles on various topics from Adsense, Business Loans and Property Agents. Uchenna Ani-Okoye is an internet marketing advisor and co founder of For more information and resource links on bonds visit:. Uchenna Ani-okoye's top article generates over 60500 views. to your Favourites.