Although the current 2.2 percent interest rate on Series I savings bonds is appealing, purchasing the bonds has grown more difficult. Paper Series I and EE savings bonds—those handy envelope stuffer gifts—can no longer be purchased in banks or credit unions; instead, you must purchase electronic bonds through TreasuryDirect, the Treasury Department’s Web-based system. Our correspondent discovered the procedure of purchasing a savings bond for her little nephew to be cumbersome. Here’s some assistance:
Are there any I bonds left?
I bonds can be purchased at that rate until April 2022. Savings bonds in Series I are a low-risk investment. They earn interest and are inflation-protected throughout their lives.
What is the price of a Series I bond?
Series I bonds are issued and sold at face value, which means you pay the full face value of the bond. A $100 I bond, for example, costs $100. Between $25 and $10,000, you can buy Series I electronic bonds in any amount (to the cent).
Is it wise to invest in I bonds in 2021?
- I bonds are a smart cash investment since they are guaranteed and provide inflation-adjusted interest that is tax-deferred. After a year, they are also liquid.
- You can purchase up to $15,000 in I bonds per calendar year, in both electronic and paper form.
- I bonds earn interest and can be cashed in during retirement to ensure that you have secure, guaranteed investments.
- The term “interest” refers to a mix of a fixed rate and the rate of inflation. The interest rate for I bonds purchased between November 2021 and April 2022 was 7.12 percent.
What’s the distinction between I and EE bonds?
Series I bonds and series EE bonds are the two categories of savings bonds now offered by the US Treasury. Whether you choose one over the other is determined by current interest rates as well as your expectations for future interest rates and inflation.
EE Bond and I Bond Similarities
- Both EE and I bonds are sold at face value and pay monthly interest that is compounded semiannually for a period of 30 years.
- After 12 months, both I and EE bonds can be redeemed or cashed. If you cash it during the first five years, you’ll be charged three months’ interest.
- Both are totally tax exempt if used to pay for qualified higher education expenses and are exempt from state and local taxes.
EE Bond and I Bond Differences
- EE bonds have a fixed interest rate for the duration of the bond, whereas I bonds have rates that are changed to protect against inflation.
- If kept for 20 years, EE bonds provide a guaranteed return that doubles your investment. With I bonds, there is no certainty of a profit.
- Individual EE bond purchases are limited to $10,000 per year, whereas I bond purchases are limited to $15,000 per year.
Scudillo advises investors to note that series EE bonds are guaranteed to double in value over the course of 20 years, but series I bonds have no such guarantee. If interest rates and inflation remain low, EE bonds, which are guaranteed to double in value every 20 years, may be the best option. Given the lower trending inflation rates over the last few decades, doubling your money would take longer. However, if inflation rises significantly, I bond holders will come out on top. Regrettably, the only method to determine which bond earns more over time is to look backwards.
Are my bonds tax-exempt?
- State and municipal taxes are not levied on Series I savings bonds. You won’t have to pay state or local taxes on the interest income you earn if you invest in Series I savings bonds. That means you’ll have more money in your pocket at the end of the year than if you owned a traditional bond.
- Federal taxes apply to Series I savings bonds. The interest income you generate while holding I bonds will be taxed by the federal government. This is because they are a “zero-coupon” bond, which means that you won’t receive regular checks in the mail; instead, the interest you earn is added back to the bond’s value, and you’ll earn interest on your interest.
How do I go about purchasing bonds for my child?
TreasuryDirect.gov makes it simple to purchase savings bonds online. They can be engraved with your name or the name of the child for whom they are being purchased. Prepare to submit the child’s entire name and Social Security number if the savings bond is to be given as a gift. The recipient must also have a TreasuryDirect account of their own. If you don’t have one, you can keep the gift in your account until you can set one up for them. Gift bonds are available in denominations ranging from $25 to $10,000.