US savings bonds mature on a fixed schedule set when you buy them

A US savings bond reaches final maturity between 20 and 30 years after you purchase it, depending on the bond type. Series EE bonds mature in 20 years. Series I bonds mature in 30 years. Once a bond reaches final maturity, it stops earning interest entirely—even if you do not cash it in. The maturity date is printed on your bond or shown in your TreasuryDirect account if you own electronic bonds.

Before final maturity, your bond reaches original maturity at an earlier point. For Series EE bonds, original maturity is 20 years (the same as final maturity). For Series I bonds, original maturity is 30 years (also the same). However, both types continue to earn interest for an additional period after original maturity if you hold them—this is called the extended maturity period. Series EE bonds earn interest for up to 30 years total. Series I bonds earn interest for up to 30 years total as well.

The key date to track is when your bond stops earning interest. After that point, holding the bond longer provides no financial benefit. You can cash it in anytime after you own it for one year, but you will lose the last three months of interest if you cash it in before five years have passed.

Key Takeaways

  • Series EE bonds stop earning interest after 20 years; Series I bonds stop earning interest after 30 years.
  • You can cash in a bond anytime after one year of ownership, but cashing it in before five years costs you three months of interest.
  • After a bond reaches final maturity and stops earning interest, there is no reason to hold it any longer.
  • Check your bond's purchase date in TreasuryDirect or on the physical bond certificate to know exactly when it will mature.
  • Interest rates on Series I bonds change every six months, so the interest you earn in year one may differ from year ten.

How to find your bond's maturity date

If you own electronic bonds through TreasuryDirect, log into your account and look at your bond holdings. The purchase date is listed for each bond. Add 20 years (for Series EE) or 30 years (for Series I) to find the maturity date. For example, a Series EE bond purchased on March 15, 2004 reaches final maturity on March 15, 2024.

If you own a physical paper bond, the issue date is printed on the front. Use the same calculation. You can also contact the Bureau of the Public Debt at 844-284-2676 or visit treasurydirect.gov to look up a bond's details if you have the serial number.

What happens when a bond reaches final maturity

When your bond reaches final maturity, interest stops accruing immediately. The bond's value freezes at whatever amount it had reached on that date. If you continue to hold it after maturity, the value does not increase. The bond does not expire or become worthless—you can still cash it in at any time—but you are no longer earning money on it.

This is why cashing in a mature bond promptly makes sense. There is no advantage to waiting. The funds sit idle in the bond instead of being reinvested or used elsewhere. If you forget about a mature bond and leave it uncashed for years, you have simply left money sitting in a non-earning account.

The difference between original maturity and final maturity

The terms can be confusing because both Series EE and Series I bonds have the same original maturity date and final maturity date—20 years for EE, 30 years for I. However, the distinction matters for older bonds or bonds issued under different rules in the past.

Historically, some bond types had different original and final maturity dates. For current bonds, you can treat original maturity and final maturity as the same milestone. The important number is the year when interest stops: 20 years from purchase for Series EE, 30 years from purchase for Series I.

Cashing in a bond before it matures

You can cash in a US savings bond anytime after you have owned it for one year. There is no penalty for cashing it in early—you simply receive whatever value it has accumulated to that point. However, if you cash it in before five years have passed, you lose the last three months of interest. This is a fixed penalty, not a percentage of your earnings.

For example, if you own a Series EE bond for three years and it has earned $100, cashing it in costs you $25 in interest (three months' worth, assuming equal monthly accrual). You would receive the principal plus $75 in interest. After five years, this penalty no longer applies, and you receive the full accumulated value whenever you cash in.

Why maturity matters for your savings plan

Knowing your bond's maturity date helps you plan when to move money into other investments. If you have bonds maturing soon, you can decide whether to reinvest the proceeds into new bonds, a high-yield savings account, a certificate of deposit, or another option. Bonds that have already matured are earning zero percent and should not be part of your long-term savings strategy.

Series I bonds are particularly worth tracking because their interest rate changes every six months. A bond purchased when rates were high may have earned significantly more than a bond purchased when rates were low. Once it matures and stops earning, that advantage disappears. Comparing your mature bonds to current rates can help you decide whether to reinvest in new I bonds or choose a different vehicle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash in a bond on the exact maturity date?

Yes. You can cash in a bond anytime after one year of ownership, including on its maturity date. After maturity, there is no reason to wait—the bond earns nothing further. You can redeem it through TreasuryDirect or at most banks.

What happens if I never cash in a mature bond?

The bond remains valid and you can cash it in at any time in the future. However, it earns no interest after maturity. The value is frozen. There is no deadline to cash it in, but holding a mature bond provides no financial benefit.

Do Series EE and Series I bonds mature at different ages?

Yes. Series EE bonds mature after 20 years. Series I bonds mature after 30 years. Both stop earning interest at their maturity date and do not earn anything further if held longer.

Can I extend a bond past its maturity date?

No. Once a bond reaches final maturity, it stops earning interest and cannot be extended. You must cash it in or hold it as a non-earning asset. If you want to continue earning interest, you need to purchase new bonds.

How do I know if my old bonds have matured?

Add 20 years to the issue date of a Series EE bond or 30 years to the issue date of a Series I bond. If that date has passed, the bond has matured. You can verify this in TreasuryDirect or by contacting the Bureau of the Public Debt at 844-284-2676.