Below you'll find topics and a brief description about features or subjects that you may want to Learn More About. For a more detailed definition, click on any topic.
Information about security features and suggestions for protecting your account.
We offer three ways for you to pay for securities you buy in TreasuryDirect.
Certain customers can now set up a Payroll Savings Plan to purchase electronic savings bonds in TreasuryDirect. The feature allows individual primary account owners to make recurring purchases of electronic Series EE and Series I Savings Bonds, funded by a payroll allotment.
Certain entities are permitted to open accounts in TreasuryDirect and conduct transactions in eligible Treasury securities.
Customers can convert their paper bonds to electronic form in their TreasuryDirect account through SmartExchange®.
The Zero-Percent Certificate of Indebtedness (Zero-Percent C of I or simply, C of I) is a Treasury security that does not earn any interest. It is intended to be used as a source of funds for purchasing traditional Treasury securities.
The Payroll Zero-Percent Certificate of Indebtedness (Payroll C of I) is a Treasury security that does not earn any interest. It is intended to be used as a source of funds for purchasing Series EE and Series I Savings Bonds through the Payroll Savings Plan.
Open a Minor or Custom account, or use the Conversion account to convert your paper securities into electronic form. TreasuryDirect Linked Accounts make it easier than ever to keep track of all your savings securities in a single account.
Check out the purchase limitations for all types of Treasury securities available.
To process transactions more effectively, we must apply restrictions to certain actions performed in your account.
TreasuryDirect offers you the flexibility of participating in Treasury security auctions directly from your account.
Information about the full line of products available.
TreasuryDirect allows you to reinvest the proceeds of a maturing Treasury marketable security in a new security of the same type and term.
All the information you need to transfer a security to another account holder, a broker, or from an outside account into your TreasuryDirect account is right here.
Having trouble figuring out your tax liability within your account? Tax reporting made simple for all your transactional needs.
FAQs
How to get the most value from your savings bonds
| Face Value | Purchase Amount | 30-Year Value (Purchased May 1990) |
|---|
| $50 Bond | $100 | $207.36 |
| $100 Bond | $200 | $414.72 |
| $500 Bond | $400 | $1,036.80 |
| $1,000 Bond | $800 | $2,073.60 |
May 7, 2024
Securities purchased through TreasuryDirect cannot be sold in the secondary market before they mature. This lack of liquidity could be a disadvantage for investors who may need to access their investment capital before the securities' maturity.
Is TreasuryDirect legitimate? ›
TreasuryDirect.gov is the one and only place to buy and redeem U.S. savings bonds and other securities directly from the U.S. Treasury! Your investments are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government.
Can I open a second account at TreasuryDirect? ›
TreasuryDirect Accounts. What is a TreasuryDirect Primary account? A TreasuryDirect Primary account is your personal account you open in TreasuryDirect. Once a Primary account is opened, you may establish Minor, Custom, and Conversion Linked accounts that are accessed only from your Primary account.
Do savings bonds double in 7 years? ›
Series EE savings bonds are a low-risk way to save money. They earn interest regularly for 30 years (or until you cash them if you do that before 30 years). For EE bonds you buy now, we guarantee that the bond will double in value in 20 years, even if we have to add money at 20 years to make that happen.
How long does it take for a $10000 savings bond to mature? ›
They're available to be cashed in after a single year, though there's a penalty for cashing them in within the first five years. Otherwise, you can keep savings bonds until they fully mature, which is generally 30 years.
Which is better, EE or I bond? ›
Bottom line. I bonds, with their inflation-adjusted return, safeguard the investor's purchasing power during periods of high inflation. On the other hand, EE Bonds offer predictable returns with a fixed-interest rate and a guaranteed doubling of value if held for 20 years.
Is it better to buy treasuries through a broker or direct? ›
For many people, TreasuryDirect is a good option; however, retirement savers and investors who already have brokerage accounts are often better off buying bonds on the secondary market or with exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
Can Treasury bonds lose value? ›
If bonds are held past their maturity date, the bonds can lose value due to inflation. To understand how this value is lost, see the illustration below. Imagine you bought a series EE bond 30 years ago for $500.
Is my money safe at TreasuryDirect? ›
Treasury securities are considered a safe and secure investment option because the full faith and credit of the U.S. government guarantees that interest and principal payments will be paid on time.
TreasuryDirect is free. There are no fees, no matter how much or how little you invest.
What happens to a TreasuryDirect account when the owner dies? ›
If the beneficiary has a TreasuryDirect account, the security will be transferred to that account. If the beneficiary does not have an account, he or she may establish an account. Alternatively, a beneficiary named on a savings bond may request redemption.
Can my wife and I share a TreasuryDirect account? ›
In your TreasuryDirect account, you can: add another person as secondary owner. add or remove a beneficiary.
How do you avoid tax on treasury bonds? ›
You can skip paying taxes on interest earned with Series EE and Series I savings bonds if you're using the money to pay for qualified higher education costs. That includes expenses you pay for yourself, your spouse or a qualified dependent. Only certain qualified higher education costs are covered, including: Tuition.
What does C of I mean in TreasuryDirect? ›
The Zero-Percent Certificate of Indebtedness (Zero-Percent C of I or simply, C of I) is a Treasury security that does not earn any interest. It is intended to be used as a source of funds for purchasing traditional Treasury securities.
What is the final maturity of a $100 savings bond? ›
Series I bonds are sold at face value and mature after 30 years. Interest is added monthly to the bond's value.
Why is my $100 savings bond only worth 50? ›
There are two primary reasons a bond might be worth less than its listed face value. A savings bond, for example, is sold at a discount to its face value and steadily appreciates in price as the bond approaches its maturity date. Upon maturity, the bond is redeemed for the full face value.
Do savings bonds expire after 30 years? ›
Although they technically mature after 20 years, these bonds actually don't expire for 30 years. You'll keep earning interest for an extra decade. As long as you cash in your bond at the maturity date, you can guarantee your investment will double.
Should I wait 30 years to cash in savings bonds? ›
In 10 years, the value of the bond increases to $12,323. At 20 years, it is guaranteed to double in value, so it will then be worth $20,000. By year 30, when it matures, the bond is worth $24,646.56, earning you an extra $14,646.56. Depending your financial goals, you may decide to cash in before the bond matures.
