Does it matter whose Social Security number is on a savings bond?

Yes, whose Social Security Number (SSN) is on a savings bond matters because it identifies the owner for tax reporting and redemption, but the owner's name and title (sole owner, co-owner, beneficiary) on the bond is what determines legal ownership, not just the SSN. The SSN helps with record-keeping and tax liability, but if it's incorrect, you can request a correction with TreasuryDirect.gov.

How much is a $100 savings bond worth after 30 years?

A $100 savings bond's value after 30 years depends on the issue date, but for a Series EE bond from October 1994, it's worth about $164.12, having earned $114.12 in interest, as these bonds stop earning interest after 30 years. You can find the exact value using the TreasuryDirect Savings Bond Calculator by entering the bond's series, denomination, and issue date. 

Can you cash a savings bond that isn't in your name?

Remember that savings bonds can't be sold, traded or given away. The person whose name is on the bond is the only person who can cash it in (with some exception, which we'll get to shortly). First, you obviously need the bond itself (if it's an electronic bond, there's really no process at all.

What if there are two names on a savings bond?

Two owners co-own the bond. If one owner dies, the other becomes the single or sole owner. Neither owner can be an entity. The first-named owner is the primary owner.

What happens to a savings bond when the owner dies?

When a savings bond owner dies, the bond either goes directly to a named surviving co-owner or beneficiary, bypassing probate, or it becomes part of the deceased's estate if no one else is listed, passing through a will or state law. If it's an estate asset, it's handled by an executor (or court-appointed representative) and distributed according to the will or intestacy laws, potentially requiring forms like FS Form 5394 for smaller estates or court involvement for larger ones. 

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Do beneficiaries pay taxes on savings bonds?

Yes, you generally have to pay federal income tax on the interest from inherited savings bonds, but the tax bill depends on how the original owner handled taxes, with most deferring it, meaning you'll owe tax on all accrued interest when you redeem them unless the owner reported it annually or the estate pays it. The key is whether the original owner paid tax on the interest as it accumulated or deferred it; if deferred, you'll report the total interest on your tax return when you cash in the bond, but you can also potentially have the deceased's estate report that final interest on their final tax return. 

What happens to savings bonds that are never cashed?

For those fully matured bonds remaining unredeemed, there is no active program by the Bureau to locate the bondholders and pay them the proceeds to which they are entitled. Traditionally, it has been up to the registered owner to remember to redeem the matured bond decades after the initial purchase.

How do I change the ownership of a savings bond?

Yes, savings bonds can be transferred to another person, primarily as a gift or through inheritance/court order, requiring both parties to have TreasuryDirect accounts for electronic bonds, and you can gift them for various occasions or transfer them via specific legal processes like divorce settlements. You can gift electronic EE or I bonds directly through the TreasuryDirect system by sending the recipient's account info, but paper bonds need conversion first. 

Can a bank refuse to cash a savings bond?

Financial institutions now have the option to not cash savings bonds for both non-customers or new customers. Our Secret Service partners recommend that a customer be established for 12 months before cashing bonds at a financial institution.

Do savings bonds expire?

Yes, U.S. savings bonds (Series EE and I) eventually expire, meaning they stop earning interest after their final maturity, which is 30 years from the issue date, though they are guaranteed to reach a specific value (like doubling for EE bonds) much sooner, often within 20 years. Once a bond hits its final maturity, it no longer grows and should be redeemed to avoid losing value to inflation. 

Can you look up savings bonds by social security number?

Yes, you can look up old, matured, uncashed U.S. savings bonds by Social Security Number (SSN) using the Treasury Hunt tool on the TreasuryDirect website. This tool searches for bonds that have stopped earning interest, and if it finds matches, it provides instructions to claim them, often by completing a Form 1048 for replacement. 

Can you change the name on your EE savings bonds account?

Yes, you can change the name on your Series EE Savings Bonds through TreasuryDirect by using their SmartExchange system or by submitting FS Form 4000 for a reissue, with the method depending on whether it's a name change due to marriage/divorce or another reason, and if you're adding/removing co-owners or beneficiaries. For name changes (like marriage/divorce), you often use SmartExchange or Form 4000; for co-owner name changes, you might need the other owner's consent or the bond will be reissued in your name only, removing the other person.
 

What can you do with a 30 year old savings bond?

If your savings bond from a Series other than EE, I, or HH has finished its interest-earning life, you could cash it and use the money for something else – a project, a financial need, or a new investment like an interest-earning savings bond or other Treasury security.

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.

What's the best time to cash savings bonds?

Most savings bonds stop earning interest (or reach maturity) between 20 to 30 years. It's possible to redeem a savings bond as soon as one year after it's purchased, but it's usually wise to wait at least five years so you don't lose the last three months of interest when you cash it in.

What is the dirty price of a bond?

A bond's dirty price, also known as the full or invoice price, is the actual cash amount an investor pays, combining the quoted clean price (bond's intrinsic value) with any interest that has accumulated (accrued interest) since the last coupon payment. This means the dirty price rises steadily between coupon dates as interest builds and drops back to the clean price immediately after a coupon is paid.
 

Can I cash a savings bond with someone else's name on it?

Generally, no, you cannot cash a savings bond with someone else's name on it unless you are the owner, a valid co-owner, a named beneficiary after the owner's death, or acting with proper legal authority (like a Power of Attorney); savings bonds are non-transferable and can only be redeemed by the registered owner or someone legally entitled to it, requiring specific documentation like death certificates or Power of Attorney forms. Buying or receiving a bond not in your name makes it virtually impossible to cash. 

How much is a 30 year old $100 savings bond worth today?

A $100 savings bond's value after 30 years depends on the issue date, but for a Series EE bond from October 1994, it's worth about $164.12, having earned $114.12 in interest, as these bonds stop earning interest after 30 years. You can find the exact value using the TreasuryDirect Savings Bond Calculator by entering the bond's series, denomination, and issue date. 

How to avoid paying taxes when cashing in savings bonds?

You can cash U.S. Series EE or I savings bonds without paying federal income tax on the interest if you use the funds for qualified higher education expenses for yourself, your spouse, or a dependent, provided you meet income and age requirements (owner must be 24+) and file as 'Married Filing Jointly' or Single, not 'Married Filing Separately'. Alternatively, you can roll the proceeds into a 529 plan, or defer taxes until maturity, but using for education offers the best tax avoidance. 

Do I need a death certificate to cash a savings bond?

Each death certificate must be certified or sworn to by the state or local registrar, with a legible seal or stamp, as a true and correct copy taken from the official records. It is not necessary to provide a death certificate for the last-deceased bond owner if the date of death appears in the letters of appointment.

Can I transfer my bonds to someone else?

Typically, you're unable to transfer your bond to someone else. However, if you buy a premium bond for a child under 16, you must nominate a parent or guardian to manage the bond. The provider will then transfer bond management to the child once they turn 16.

How do I transfer a bond to another person?

If 2 living people co-own a bond and want to make a change other than a name change, both must agree and sign the appropriate form: If the bond is electronic, FS Form 5446. If the bond is paper, FS Form 4000.

Is a savings bond payable to a deceased person?

If only one person is named on the bond and that person has died, the bond belongs to that person's estate. If two people are named on the bond and both have died, the bond belongs to the estate of the one who died last.

Why does Dave Ramsey not invest in bonds?

For starters, I don't buy bonds. Bonds are frequently pitched in the financial world as being much safer than the stock market, but actual data shows they're not that much safer. The bond market, in general, is almost as volatile as the stock market because of the way bond values respond to shifting interest rates.

How much is a $50.00 savings bond worth?

A $50 savings bond's worth depends on its Series (EE or I) and Issue Date, but it grows over time, often doubling in value (Series EE) or earning inflation-adjusted interest (Series I), so a 20-year-old bond is worth significantly more than its $50 face value; use the TreasuryDirect Savings Bond Calculator to get its exact current value by entering the Series and Issue Date.