Series EE bonds mature and stop earning interest after 30 years

A Series EE bond stops accruing interest on its 30-year anniversary from the issue date printed on the bond itself. After that date, the bond no longer grows in value, even if you hold it. The Treasury will not automatically cash it or send you money—the bond simply stops working.

You can still redeem a mature Series EE bond at any time after maturity, but you will receive only the value it had on the 30-year date. If you need the money, you cash it in. If you do not need it, you can leave it in a drawer indefinitely, but it will never be worth more than it was at maturity.

The 30-year maturity date is fixed and does not change based on when you bought the bond, when you started tracking it, or when you last checked its value. Only the issue date matters.

Key Takeaways

  • Series EE bonds stop earning interest exactly 30 years after their issue date, which is printed on the bond certificate or shown in your TreasuryDirect account.
  • You do not have to redeem a mature bond immediately—you can hold it indefinitely, but it will not grow in value after the 30-year mark.
  • The Treasury does not notify you when a bond matures or automatically cash it, so you need to track the dates yourself or check TreasuryDirect regularly.
  • If you want to move the money from a mature bond into something that still earns interest, you must redeem it and reinvest the proceeds yourself.

How to find your bond's maturity date

If you own a paper Series EE bond, the issue date is printed on the front of the certificate. Count forward 30 years from that date to find when it matures. For example, a bond issued on May 1, 2000 matures on May 1, 2030.

If you own electronic Series EE bonds through TreasuryDirect, log into your account at treasurydirect.gov and view your holdings. The issue date appears next to each bond. You can also see the current value and the maturity date listed in the same section. TreasuryDirect does the math for you and displays both dates clearly.

Write down or set a calendar reminder for bonds that are approaching their 30-year mark. The Treasury sends no notice, so the responsibility to track maturity is yours.

What happens to the value on the maturity date

On the 30-year anniversary, your Series EE bond reaches its final maturity value. This is the amount the bond is worth at that moment. For most bonds, this is at least double the original purchase price because of the interest earned over 30 years, but the exact amount depends on the interest rate your bond earned and how long you held it.

The bond's value does not jump or change on the maturity date itself. If the bond was worth $5,000 on day 29 of year 30, it is worth $5,000 on day 1 after maturity. What changes is that it stops growing. Any day after the 30-year date, the value remains exactly the same.

You can redeem the bond at its maturity value anytime after the 30-year date. The Treasury will pay you the full amount in cash, either by direct deposit to your bank account (if you own it through TreasuryDirect) or by check (if you own a paper bond and redeem it through a bank or the Treasury).

Redeeming a mature bond

To redeem an electronic Series EE bond after maturity, log into TreasuryDirect, select the bond, and request redemption. The money is deposited into your linked bank account within a few business days. There is no penalty for redeeming after maturity.

To redeem a paper Series EE bond, take it to your bank or credit union along with a form of identification. Not all banks handle bond redemptions, so call ahead to confirm. You can also mail the bond to the Treasury, though this takes longer. The address and instructions are available on treasurydirect.gov.

When you redeem a bond, you will owe federal income tax on the interest earned. The Treasury does not withhold tax automatically, so you will report the interest on your tax return for the year you redeem the bond. State and local taxes may also apply depending on where you live.

What to do if you want to keep earning interest

If you have a mature Series EE bond and want the money to continue growing, you must redeem it and reinvest the proceeds. The Treasury will not automatically move the money into a new bond or a different product.

You could redeem the mature bond and purchase new Series EE bonds, Series I bonds, or other Treasury securities. Series I bonds currently earn interest based on inflation and are another option for long-term savings. You can purchase up to $10,000 in electronic Series I bonds per calendar year through TreasuryDirect.

Alternatively, you could deposit the redemption proceeds into a savings account, money market account, or other investment. The choice depends on your financial goals and how long you plan to hold the money.

Tracking multiple bonds and their maturity dates

If you own several Series EE bonds purchased at different times, each one has its own 30-year maturity date. A bond purchased in 2010 matures in 2040, while a bond purchased in 2015 matures in 2045. You need to track each date separately.

TreasuryDirect displays all your bonds in one account, with the issue date and maturity date for each. Create a spreadsheet or calendar with the maturity dates so you know when each bond stops earning interest. This is especially important if you own bonds purchased over many years.

Some people set phone reminders or calendar alerts for the month before a bond matures, giving them time to decide whether to redeem it or leave it in the account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash in a Series EE bond before it matures?

Yes, you can redeem a Series EE bond anytime after you have owned it for one year. However, if you redeem it before five years have passed, you lose the last three months of interest as a penalty. After five years, there is no penalty.

What if I lose track of a bond's maturity date?

If you own the bond through TreasuryDirect, log in and check your account—the maturity date is listed there. If you own a paper bond, look at the issue date on the certificate and add 30 years. If you cannot find the certificate, contact the Treasury at treasurydirect.gov or call 844-284-2676.

Do I owe taxes when a bond matures?

You do not owe taxes simply because a bond matures. You owe federal income tax on the interest only when you redeem the bond and receive the money. Report the interest earned on your tax return for that year.

What happens if I never redeem a mature bond?

Nothing happens automatically. The bond remains in your account or in your possession, but it stops earning interest and never grows in value. You can hold it indefinitely, but redeeming it is the only way to access the money.

Can I transfer a mature bond to someone else?

Paper Series EE bonds can be transferred, but the process is complex and involves the Treasury. Electronic bonds in TreasuryDirect cannot be transferred directly. Consult the Treasury or a financial advisor about your specific situation if you want to give a bond to someone else.