Check the Treasury's savings bond website or call their customer service line
The fastest way to find your EE bond's current value is to use the Treasury Hunt tool at treasurydirect.gov. This free tool lets you search for bonds registered in your name or your Social Security number. You enter your name and Social Security number, and the system shows you every bond on record, along with its current value.
If you don't have internet access or prefer to speak with someone, you can call the Treasury's customer service line at 1-844-284-2676. They can look up your bonds by phone and tell you the exact value. Have your Social Security number ready when you call.
Both methods work for EE bonds issued after 1974. If your bond is older than that, you'll need to contact the Bureau of the Fiscal Service directly or work with a bank that handles older savings bonds.
Key Takeaways
- The Treasury Hunt tool at treasurydirect.gov is the fastest way to find your EE bond value without leaving home.
- You can also call 1-844-284-2676 to have a Treasury representative look up your bonds over the phone.
- EE bonds earn interest monthly, so your bond's value changes every month even if you don't do anything.
- The Treasury publishes new interest rates for EE bonds every six months, which affects how much your bond earns going forward.
How EE bond value is calculated
Your EE bond's value is the amount you paid for it plus all the interest it has earned since you bought it. EE bonds are sold at face value — meaning a $100 bond costs $100 — but they earn interest from the day you buy them.
The interest rate on EE bonds is set by the Treasury and changes every six months, on May 1 and November 1. The current rate applies to all EE bonds, whether you bought yours last month or 20 years ago. Your bond earns interest every month, so the value grows steadily over time.
The Treasury publishes the current EE bond rate on treasurydirect.gov. You can also see the rate history going back several years, which helps you understand how much your bond earned during different periods.
Why your bond's value changes month to month
Even if you never touch your bond, its value increases every single month because it's earning interest. The Treasury calculates interest monthly and adds it to your bond's value automatically. This is called compounding — your interest earns interest on top of itself.
The amount your bond earns each month depends on the current interest rate. When rates are higher, your monthly earnings are larger. When rates are lower, your monthly earnings are smaller. This is why checking your bond value at different times of year can show different amounts.
What happens when your EE bond reaches final maturity
EE bonds stop earning interest after 30 years. This is called final maturity. At that point, your bond's value is locked in — it won't grow any further, even if you keep holding it.
You don't have to cash it in when it reaches final maturity, but there's no reason to keep it after that point since it's no longer earning money. Most people cash in their bonds once they reach 30 years old, though you can hold them longer if you want.
The difference between purchase price and current value
Your EE bond's current value is almost always higher than what you paid for it, because of the interest it has earned. For example, if you bought a $100 EE bond in 2010, it might be worth $150 or more today, depending on the interest rates during those years.
The only exception is if your bond is very new — less than a month old. In that case, it might still be worth exactly what you paid for it, because the first month's interest hasn't been added yet.
When you cash in your bond, you receive the current value, not the purchase price. The difference between what you paid and what you receive is your earnings, and that amount is subject to federal income tax.
How to track your bonds over time
The Treasury Hunt tool shows your bond's value on the day you check it, but it doesn't keep a history. If you want to watch how your bond grows over months or years, you can write down the value each time you check, or take a screenshot.
Another option is to set up a free account at TreasuryDirect.gov. If you have an account, you can see all your bonds in one place and track their values over time. You can also set up electronic delivery of statements, so you get regular updates about your bonds' growth.
What to do if you can't find your bond information
If you've lost track of a bond you bought years ago, the Treasury Hunt tool can still find it as long as it's registered in your name or Social Security number. Search using both your current name and any previous names you've had, since bonds are registered under the name you had when you bought them.
If the search doesn't turn up anything, call the Treasury customer service line. They can search their records more thoroughly and may be able to locate bonds you've forgotten about. Bring any documentation you have — old statements, receipts, or even a rough idea of when you bought the bond.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check my EE bond value without a Social Security number?
The Treasury Hunt tool requires either your name and Social Security number or your name and the bond's serial number. If you have the serial number from your bond certificate or an old statement, you can use that instead of your Social Security number.
How often should I check my bond's value?
You can check as often as you want — there's no penalty for looking. Many people check once or twice a year to see how their bonds are growing. Since interest is added monthly, checking more frequently than that won't show much change.
Does checking my bond value affect it in any way?
No. Looking up your bond's value doesn't change it, reduce it, or trigger any taxes. It's purely informational. You only owe taxes on the interest when you actually cash in the bond.
What if my EE bond value seems wrong?
Double-check the interest rate that was in effect when you bought the bond and during the years you've held it. You can see the rate history on treasurydirect.gov. If the value still seems incorrect after reviewing the rates, call the Treasury customer service line and ask them to review the calculation.
Can I see my bond's value on my tax return?
No. Your bond's value doesn't appear on your tax return unless you cashed it in that year. You only report the interest you earned when you actually redeem the bond and receive the money.