Savings Bond Calculator Series Ee

Series EE Savings Bond Value Estimator

Understanding Series EE Savings Bonds

Series EE savings bonds are a popular, low-risk investment option backed by the U.S. government. They are designed to help individuals save for long-term goals, offering a secure way to grow your money over time. Unlike traditional bonds that pay out interest regularly, EE bonds accrue interest and increase in value over their holding period.

How Series EE Bonds Work

• Purchase Price: EE bonds are purchased at half their face value. For example, a $100 face value bond costs $50 to buy.
• Maturity: They reach their full face value at 20 years from the issue date, thanks to a guaranteed doubling feature. However, they continue to earn interest for up to 30 years.
• Interest Rates: The interest rate for EE bonds is fixed for the first 20 years. After 20 years, they earn a variable rate for the remaining 10 years until final maturity. The specific rates are set by the U.S. Treasury and can change over time.
• Tax Benefits: Interest earned on EE bonds is exempt from state and local income taxes. Federal income tax on the interest can be deferred until the bond is cashed or reaches final maturity. In some cases, the interest may be tax-free if used for qualified higher education expenses.
• Redemption: You can cash in EE bonds after one year, but if you redeem them before five years, you forfeit the last three months of interest.

Using the Series EE Savings Bond Value Estimator

Our calculator provides an estimated value of your Series EE bond based on an assumed annual interest rate. This is particularly useful for projecting potential growth or understanding how different rates might impact your investment.

1. Bond Face Value: Enter the face value printed on your bond (e.g., $100, $500, $1000). Remember, you purchased it for half this amount.
2. Purchase Date (MM/YYYY): Input the month and year your bond was issued. This is crucial for determining the holding period.
3. Current Date (MM/YYYY): Enter the current month and year to calculate the duration your bond has been held. The calculator will pre-fill this with today's date.
4. Assumed Annual Interest Rate (%): This is where you can experiment. Since actual EE bond rates are complex and vary based on issue date and holding period, this calculator uses an *assumed* rate for projection. For official, current values based on your bond's specific serial number and issue date, you should always refer to the TreasuryDirect Bond Value Calculator.

Example Calculation:

Let's say you purchased a Series EE bond with a face value of $100 on January 1, 2000. You want to estimate its value as of July 1, 2024, assuming an average annual interest rate of 0.10% (which is a common rate for older EE bonds after their initial fixed period).

• Bond Face Value: $100
• Purchase Date: 01/2000
• Current Date: 07/2024
• Assumed Annual Interest Rate: 0.10%

Based on these inputs, the calculator would determine:

• Purchase Price: $50.00 (half of $100)
• Total Holding Period: 24 years, 6 months
• Estimated Current Value: Approximately $50.62
• Total Interest Earned: Approximately $0.62

Important Note: This example uses a very low assumed rate for illustrative purposes, reflecting how older EE bonds might perform after their initial doubling period. Actual rates can vary significantly. Always consult TreasuryDirect for the precise value of your specific bonds.

Disclaimer:

This calculator provides an estimation based on the assumed interest rate you provide. The actual value of your Series EE bond is determined by its issue date, the specific interest rates applicable during its holding period (which can include a guaranteed doubling at 20 years and variable rates thereafter), and its redemption date. For the most accurate and official valuation of your Series EE bonds, please use the TreasuryDirect Bond Value Calculator, which requires your bond's serial number.