Savings bonds stop earning interest on a fixed date set when you buy them

A savings bond earns interest for a set number of years, then stops. For Series EE bonds, that period is 30 years from the issue date. For Series I bonds, it is also 30 years. Once that date passes, the bond no longer grows in value, even if you keep holding it.

The issue date is printed on your bond or shown in your TreasuryDirect account. You can calculate the final interest-earning date by adding 30 years to that date. After that date arrives, the bond's value is locked in. You can still hold it, cash it in, or pass it to someone else, but it will not increase.

This matters because many people hold bonds past their final maturity date without realizing they have stopped working. If you own a bond that is more than 30 years old, it is no longer building value for you.

Key Takeaways

  • Series EE and Series I bonds earn interest for exactly 30 years from their issue date, then stop permanently.
  • You can find your bond's issue date on the physical bond itself or by logging into your TreasuryDirect account online.
  • After 30 years, the bond's value freezes — it will not grow even if you hold it for another 10 or 20 years.
  • Bonds that have stopped earning interest should be cashed in or moved to a different savings vehicle, because they are no longer working toward your financial goals.

How to find your bond's maturity date

If you own a physical paper bond, the issue date is printed on the front. Look for the words "Issue Date" followed by a month and year. Add 30 years to that date to find when interest stops.

If your bonds are held in TreasuryDirect (the U.S. Treasury's online system), log in to your account and view your holdings. Each bond shows its issue date and current value. TreasuryDirect also displays how many years of interest-earning time remain, which makes the calculation automatic.

If you inherited bonds or received them as a gift and do not have the original paperwork, you can contact the Treasury's Bureau of the Fiscal Service. They can look up the issue date using the bond's serial number. You will need the serial number and the bond's denomination to request this information.

What happens to the interest rate when a bond matures

The interest rate on a savings bond is not fixed for the entire 30-year period. Instead, the rate changes every six months for Series I bonds. Series EE bonds have a composite rate that also adjusts periodically, though less frequently than I bonds.

Even though the rate changes, the bond continues to earn interest at whatever the current rate is — right up until the 30-year mark. On the day after the 30-year anniversary of the issue date, the rate becomes zero. No more interest accrues, no matter how long you hold the bond afterward.

This is why checking your bond's maturity date matters. If you own a bond that is close to or past its 30-year anniversary, you should cash it in and move the money to a current savings vehicle — a high-yield savings account, a money market account, or new bonds — so your money continues to grow.

The difference between maturity and final redemption

A bond reaches maturity when it stops earning interest at 30 years. This is different from final redemption, which is when the Treasury stops honoring the bond entirely. For Series EE and I bonds, final redemption happens 30 years after maturity — so 60 years after the issue date.

Between maturity (year 30) and final redemption (year 60), you can still cash in the bond for its full value, but it will not earn any additional interest. After final redemption, the bond is worthless and cannot be cashed in at all.

In practice, this means you have a 30-year window after the bond stops earning interest to cash it in. You do not need to rush on the exact maturity date, but you should not wait until year 60 arrives.

Why bonds stop earning interest at 30 years

The 30-year term is set by the U.S. Treasury as part of the bond's design. It reflects the Treasury's intention to encourage people to hold bonds for a meaningful period while also setting a clear endpoint. After 30 years, the Treasury assumes most bondholders will have moved their money to other investments or spent it.

This structure also means the Treasury's obligation to pay interest is finite and predictable. Once a bond reaches maturity, the Treasury's only remaining obligation is to honor the redemption value if you cash it in.

What to do with a bond that has stopped earning interest

If you own a bond that has reached its 30-year maturity date, you have three options: cash it in, hold it until you need the money, or transfer it to someone else.

Cashing it in is usually the best choice if you want your money to continue growing. You can redeem it at a bank, through TreasuryDirect, or by mail. The Treasury will send you a check for the full value. You can then move that money to a high-yield savings account, a money market fund, or purchase new bonds if you want to stay with Treasury products.

If you do not need the money right now, you can hold the bond. It will not lose value, but it will not gain any either. This makes sense only if you are saving it for a specific future date and do not want to manage it elsewhere.

You can also give the bond to someone else — a child, grandchild, or other family member. The bond's value is locked in at whatever it was worth on the maturity date, so the recipient receives that amount if they cash it in.

How to avoid missing your bond's maturity date

The easiest way to track maturity dates is to keep a simple list. Write down the issue date and denomination of each bond you own, then calculate the maturity date (issue date plus 30 years). Update this list once a year or whenever you buy new bonds.

If your bonds are in TreasuryDirect, set a calendar reminder for one year before each bond's maturity date. This gives you time to decide what to do with the money without rushing.

If you own paper bonds, store them in a safe place where you can find them, and keep a copy of the list with your important documents. Many people forget about bonds they received years ago, so a written record helps prevent that.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash in a bond before it reaches 30 years?

Yes. Series EE bonds can be cashed in after one year, though you lose the last three months of interest if you cash in before five years have passed. Series I bonds must be held for at least one year and also have a three-month interest penalty if cashed in before five years. After five years, both types can be cashed in with no penalty.

What happens if I cash in a bond after it stops earning interest?

You receive the full value the bond had on its maturity date — the last day it earned interest. No additional interest accrues after that, but you also do not lose any of the value it had already built up. The redemption process is the same as cashing in a bond before maturity.

Do I have to pay taxes when a bond matures?

You do not owe taxes simply because a bond reaches maturity. You owe federal income tax on the interest the bond earned, but only when you cash it in or when it reaches final redemption at 60 years. You can report the interest annually if you prefer, rather than waiting until you redeem it.

Can a bond earn interest again if I do not cash it in?

No. Once a bond reaches its 30-year maturity date, it stops earning interest permanently. Holding it longer does not restart the interest-earning period. The only way to earn interest on your money again is to cash in the mature bond and move it to another savings vehicle.

What if I lost track of a bond I bought years ago?

You can search for unclaimed bonds through the Treasury's online tool or by contacting the Bureau of the Fiscal Service directly. If you find a bond that is past maturity, you can still cash it in as long as it has not reached final redemption (60 years from issue). Bring the bond's serial number and any documentation you have.