EE series bonds mature and stop earning interest after 30 years

An EE series bond purchased today will reach its final maturity date 30 years from the issue date printed on the bond. After that date, the bond stops accruing interest, even if you have not cashed it in. The issue date is the first day of the month you purchased it — if you bought it in March 2024, the issue date is March 1, 2024, and final maturity is March 1, 2054.

You can cash the bond anytime after you own it for one year, but if you cash it before five years have passed, you lose the last three months of interest as a penalty. Between year five and year 30, you receive all accrued interest with no penalty. After year 30, there is no reason to hold it any longer — the bond will not earn another cent.

Key Takeaways

  • EE bonds stop earning interest exactly 30 years after their issue date, which is the first day of the month you purchased them.
  • You can cash an EE bond anytime after one year of ownership, but cashing it before five years costs you three months of interest.
  • After year five, you can cash the bond without penalty and receive all interest earned to that point.
  • Once a bond reaches its 30-year maturity date, holding it longer produces no additional earnings and you should cash it in.

The difference between maturity and when you can cash it

Maturity and redemption are not the same thing. Final maturity is when the bond stops earning interest — year 30. Redemption is when you can cash it in for its current value. You can redeem an EE bond as early as one year after purchase, but you pay a price for early redemption.

If you redeem before the five-year mark, the Treasury deducts three months of interest from what you receive. This penalty applies no matter when you cash it during that first five years — whether you redeem at year one or year four, you lose the same amount. After five years, you redeem at full value with no deduction.

How to find your bond's exact maturity date

The issue date is printed on your physical bond certificate or shown in your TreasuryDirect account if you own digital bonds. Add 30 years to that date to find when the bond stops earning interest. If your bond was issued on June 1, 2020, final maturity is June 1, 2050.

For bonds you own through TreasuryDirect (the Treasury's online platform), log in and view your account. The issue date appears next to each bond you hold. For paper bonds, look at the front of the certificate — the issue date is listed there. If you have lost the certificate or cannot find the date, contact the Treasury's customer service or visit the TreasuryDirect website to look up bonds registered in your name.

What happens if you hold an EE bond past maturity

Once an EE bond reaches its 30-year maturity date, it earns zero interest. The principal and all accrued interest remain yours, but the bond generates no new earnings no matter how long you hold it. There is no benefit to keeping it after maturity.

You should cash in the bond once it reaches maturity. The Treasury will not automatically redeem it, so the action is yours to take. If you own the bond through TreasuryDirect, you can redeem it online. If you own a paper certificate, you can cash it at a bank or through the Treasury's redemption process.

EE bonds versus I bonds: maturity differences

EE series bonds and I series bonds both have a 30-year final maturity, but they earn interest differently. EE bonds earn a fixed rate set when you purchase them — that rate stays the same for the full 30 years. I bonds earn a variable rate that changes every six months based on inflation.

Because I bonds adjust for inflation, they may earn more than EE bonds during periods of high inflation, but they may earn less during periods of low inflation. Both types stop earning interest at year 30, and both have the same five-year early redemption penalty. The choice between them depends on whether you want a may provide fixed return (EE) or inflation protection (I).

Planning around your bond's maturity date

If you own EE bonds nearing their 30-year mark, mark the maturity date on your calendar or set a reminder. Bonds do not expire or become worthless at maturity — they simply stop earning. You can redeem them at any point after maturity, but there is no reason to delay once they stop accruing interest.

If you are holding EE bonds as part of a long-term savings plan, consider what you will do with the money once the bond matures. You might reinvest it in new EE bonds, move it to I bonds, place it in a high-yield savings account, or use it for another purpose. Planning ahead prevents the bond from sitting idle after maturity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash an EE bond on the exact maturity date?

Yes. On the 30-year maturity date, you can redeem the bond and receive its full value with all accrued interest. There is no penalty for redeeming at maturity. After that date, the bond earns nothing, so there is no advantage to waiting longer.

What if I lose track of when my EE bond matures?

Log into TreasuryDirect with your account credentials to view the issue date of each bond you own. If you hold paper certificates, the issue date is printed on the front. You can also contact the Treasury's customer service line for help locating bond information if you have lost the certificate.

Do I have to cash my EE bond when it matures?

No, you are not required to cash it. However, once it reaches 30 years, it stops earning interest, so holding it longer produces no additional return. You can redeem it whenever you choose after maturity, but there is no financial reason to delay.

Can an EE bond earn interest for longer than 30 years?

No. EE bonds have a fixed 30-year maturity period. After 30 years from the issue date, the bond stops accruing interest permanently, regardless of how long you hold it afterward.