EE bonds reach their full face value in 20 years

An EE bond purchased today will reach its stated face value in exactly 20 years from the issue date. If you buy a $100 EE bond, the U.S. Treasury guarantees it will be worth at least $200 after 20 years—meaning your money doubles. This is the original maturity period, and it's built into every EE bond sold since 1995.

The 20-year timeline is fixed and does not change based on interest rates, market conditions, or when you bought the bond. A bond issued in January 2024 will reach maturity in January 2044. A bond issued in December 2024 will reach maturity in December 2044. The countdown starts from the issue date printed on your bond, not from the date you purchased it.

Key Takeaways

  • EE bonds take 20 years to reach their may provide face value, at which point your initial investment doubles.
  • You can cash in an EE bond anytime after one year, but you lose the last three months of interest if you cash it in before five years.
  • After 20 years, your bond stops earning interest and you should cash it in or move the money elsewhere.
  • The 20-year maturity date is printed on your bond and does not change, regardless of interest rate changes.

What happens if you cash in before 20 years

You can cash in an EE bond at any time after holding it for one year. However, there is a penalty if you cash it in before five years have passed: you lose the last three months of interest. This means if you hold the bond for two years and then cash it in, you only receive interest through month 21, not month 24.

After five years, you can cash in without any penalty. The interest you've earned up to that point is yours to keep. Many people hold EE bonds well past five years because the may provide doubling at 20 years is attractive, but there is no requirement to do so.

Interest rates and how they affect the timeline

EE bonds sold after May 2003 earn a variable interest rate that is set by the Treasury and changes every six months. The rate adjusts on May 1 and November 1 each year. Even though the rate changes, the 20-year maturity date does not move—your bond will still reach its may provide face value in exactly 20 years.

The variable rate means your bond might reach its full face value before 20 years if interest rates are high enough. For example, if rates are unusually high for several years in a row, your bond could double in 15 or 18 years instead of 20. When that happens, the Treasury stops paying interest at that point, even though the official maturity date is still 20 years away. You can cash it in anytime after that, or leave it sitting in your account earning nothing.

The final maturity period after 20 years

After your EE bond reaches 20 years, it enters a final maturity period of 10 additional years. During this time, the bond stops earning interest entirely. Your money is no longer growing, and you are not receiving any return on it.

This is why financial advisors typically recommend cashing in your EE bonds at the 20-year mark. Leaving the money in the bond after maturity means it sits idle while you could move it to a savings account, a CD, or another investment earning current rates. The bond has done its job—it doubled your money—and holding it longer serves no purpose.

How to track your bond's maturity date

If you own paper EE bonds, the issue date is printed on the front of the bond itself. Count forward 20 years from that date to find your maturity date. For example, a bond issued May 15, 2004 will mature on May 15, 2024.

If you own digital EE bonds through TreasuryDirect, log into your account at treasurydirect.gov and view your holdings. The system shows the issue date, current value, and the date the bond will reach face value. You can also download a statement that lists all your bonds and their maturity dates in one place.

What to do when your bond matures

When your EE bond reaches 20 years, you have three options: cash it in, let it sit earning nothing, or reinvest the money. Most people cash it in and move the funds to a bank account or another investment. If you own the bond through TreasuryDirect, you can redeem it online and have the money deposited to your bank account within a few business days.

If you own paper bonds, you will need to take them to a bank or credit union that redeems savings bonds. Not all banks do this, so call ahead. Bring the bonds and a valid ID. The institution will verify the bonds, pay you the current value, and may ask you to fill out a form for tax reporting purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash in my EE bond before 20 years?

Yes, you can cash in an EE bond anytime after one year. If you cash it in before five years, you lose the last three months of interest. After five years, there is no penalty.

What if my bond reaches face value before 20 years?

If interest rates are high enough, your bond may double in less than 20 years. Once it reaches face value, it stops earning interest. You can cash it in at that point or leave it in your account, though it will not grow further.

Do I have to cash in my bond at 20 years?

No, but you should. After 20 years, the bond stops earning interest and enters a 10-year final maturity period where your money grows nothing. Cashing it in and moving it elsewhere lets you earn a return on that money.

How do I find the maturity date of my bonds?

For paper bonds, the issue date is printed on the front—add 20 years to find maturity. For TreasuryDirect bonds, log into your account at treasurydirect.gov and view your holdings; the maturity date is listed there.

What happens if I don't cash in my bond after 30 years?

After 30 years total (20 years maturity plus 10 years final maturity), your EE bond stops existing and no longer has any value. You should cash it in before that point. If you miss the deadline, contact the Treasury to see if you can still redeem it.