.ee-bond-calculator-container {
font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Geneva, Verdana, sans-serif;
max-width: 600px;
margin: 20px auto;
padding: 25px;
border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;
border-radius: 10px;
background-color: #f9f9f9;
box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.08);
}
.ee-bond-calculator-container h2 {
text-align: center;
color: #333;
margin-bottom: 25px;
font-size: 1.8em;
}
.ee-bond-calculator-container .input-group {
margin-bottom: 18px;
display: flex;
flex-direction: column;
}
.ee-bond-calculator-container label {
margin-bottom: 8px;
color: #555;
font-weight: bold;
font-size: 0.95em;
}
.ee-bond-calculator-container input[type="date"],
.ee-bond-calculator-container input[type="number"] {
padding: 12px 15px;
border: 1px solid #ccc;
border-radius: 6px;
font-size: 1em;
width: 100%;
box-sizing: border-box;
transition: border-color 0.3s ease;
}
.ee-bond-calculator-container input[type="date"]:focus,
.ee-bond-calculator-container input[type="number"]:focus {
border-color: #007bff;
outline: none;
box-shadow: 0 0 0 3px rgba(0, 123, 255, 0.25);
}
.ee-bond-calculator-container button {
background-color: #007bff;
color: white;
padding: 14px 25px;
border: none;
border-radius: 6px;
cursor: pointer;
font-size: 1.1em;
width: 100%;
box-sizing: border-box;
transition: background-color 0.3s ease, transform 0.2s ease;
margin-top: 15px;
}
.ee-bond-calculator-container button:hover {
background-color: #0056b3;
transform: translateY(-1px);
}
.ee-bond-calculator-container button:active {
transform: translateY(0);
}
.ee-bond-calculator-container #eeBondResult {
margin-top: 30px;
padding: 20px;
border: 1px solid #d4edda;
background-color: #e9f7ef;
border-radius: 8px;
font-size: 1.1em;
color: #155724;
line-height: 1.6;
}
.ee-bond-calculator-container #eeBondResult p {
margin-bottom: 8px;
}
.ee-bond-calculator-container #eeBondResult strong {
color: #0a3622;
}
.ee-bond-calculator-container .note {
font-size: 0.85em;
color: #6c757d;
margin-top: 10px;
text-align: center;
}
// Set default valuation date to today
document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function() {
var today = new Date();
var dd = String(today.getDate()).padStart(2, '0');
var mm = String(today.getMonth() + 1).padStart(2, '0'); //January is 0!
var yyyy = today.getFullYear();
document.getElementById('valuationDate').value = yyyy + '-' + mm + '-' + dd;
});
function calculateEEBondValue() {
var purchaseDateStr = document.getElementById('purchaseDate').value;
var purchasePrice = parseFloat(document.getElementById('purchasePrice').value);
var valuationDateStr = document.getElementById('valuationDate').value;
var assumedRate = parseFloat(document.getElementById('assumedRate').value);
var resultDiv = document.getElementById('eeBondResult');
resultDiv.innerHTML = "; // Clear previous results
// Input validation
if (!purchaseDateStr || isNaN(purchasePrice) || purchasePrice <= 0 || !valuationDateStr || isNaN(assumedRate) || assumedRate < 0) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = 'Please enter valid values for all fields.';
return;
}
var purchaseDate = new Date(purchaseDateStr);
var valuationDate = new Date(valuationDateStr);
if (valuationDate < purchaseDate) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = 'Valuation Date cannot be before Purchase Date.';
return;
}
var rateDecimal = assumedRate / 100;
// Calculate years held (including fractional years)
var diffTime = valuationDate.getTime() – purchaseDate.getTime();
var yearsHeld = diffTime / (1000 * 60 * 60 * 24 * 365.25); // Approximate years
var estimatedValue = purchasePrice * Math.pow(1 + rateDecimal, yearsHeld);
var totalInterest = estimatedValue – purchasePrice;
var output = '
EE Bond Value Estimator
This is the amount you paid, not the face value (e.g., $25 for a $50 bond).
Enter today's date or a future date to project value.
This calculator uses a simplified assumed rate. Actual EE bond rates vary.
Estimated Bond Value:
'; output += 'Purchase Price: $' + purchasePrice.toFixed(2) + "; output += 'Years Held (approx): ' + yearsHeld.toFixed(2) + ' years'; output += 'Estimated Current/Future Value: $' + estimatedValue.toFixed(2) + "; output += 'Estimated Total Interest Earned: $' + totalInterest.toFixed(2) + "; // Specific EE bond rules (simplified) var purchaseYear = purchaseDate.getFullYear(); var purchaseMonth = purchaseDate.getMonth(); // 0-indexed output += 'Important Notes for EE Bonds:
'; // 30-year maturity limit if (yearsHeld >= 30) { output += 'Maturity Alert: EE bonds stop earning interest after 30 years. Your bond has reached or exceeded its maturity period. The value shown is based on the assumed rate up to 30 years, or the valuation date if earlier.'; // Recalculate value capped at 30 years if valuation date is beyond 30 years if (yearsHeld > 30) { var valueAt30Years = purchasePrice * Math.pow(1 + rateDecimal, 30); output += 'Value at 30-year maturity: $' + valueAt30Years.toFixed(2) + "; output += 'The estimated value above assumes continued growth, but actual bonds stop earning interest.'; } } else { output += 'Your bond will stop earning interest after approximately ' + (30 – yearsHeld).toFixed(2) + ' more years.'; } // Doubling guarantee for post-May 2005 bonds var may2005 = new Date('2005-05-01'); if (purchaseDate >= may2005) { output += 'Bonds purchased May 2005 or later are guaranteed to double in value if held for 20 years.'; if (yearsHeld >= 20) { var doubledValue = purchasePrice * 2; output += 'Guaranteed Doubled Value (at 20 years): $' + doubledValue.toFixed(2) + "; if (estimatedValue < doubledValue) { output += 'Note: Your estimated value ($' + estimatedValue.toFixed(2) + ') is lower than the guaranteed doubled value ($' + doubledValue.toFixed(2) + '). This calculator uses an assumed rate; actual rates may have been higher to achieve the doubling.'; } else { output += 'Your estimated value ($' + estimatedValue.toFixed(2) + ') is consistent with or exceeds the guaranteed doubled value.'; } } else { output += 'Your bond has not yet reached its 20-year mark for the doubling guarantee.'; } } else { output += 'Bonds purchased before May 2005 have different rate structures and varying doubling periods. Please consult TreasuryDirect for exact values.'; } output += 'Disclaimer: This calculator provides an estimate based on your assumed interest rate and simplified rules. For exact values and historical rates, please use the official TreasuryDirect Bond Value Calculator.'; resultDiv.innerHTML = output; }Understanding EE Savings Bonds and Their Value
EE savings bonds are a popular, low-risk savings product offered by the U.S. Treasury. They are designed to be a safe way to save money, offering tax-deferred interest and a guaranteed return. Unlike traditional bank accounts or stocks, EE bonds have a unique interest accrual system and maturity schedule that can sometimes make their value calculation seem complex.
How EE Bonds Work
- Purchase Price: EE bonds are typically purchased at half their face value. For example, a $100 EE bond costs $50. The interest accrues over time until the bond reaches its face value and beyond.
- Interest Accrual: Interest is added to the bond's value monthly and compounded semiannually. This means you don't receive regular interest payments; instead, the bond's value grows over time.
- Tax-Deferred: The interest earned on EE bonds is exempt from state and local income taxes. Federal income tax on the interest can be deferred until you redeem the bond or it reaches final maturity.
- Maturity: All EE bonds stop earning interest after 30 years from their issue date.
Interest Rate Structure and the Doubling Guarantee
The interest rate structure for EE bonds has changed over the years, which is a key factor in determining their value:
- Bonds Purchased Before May 2005: These bonds have a more complex rate structure, often involving a variable rate for an initial period followed by a fixed rate, and a guaranteed minimum rate. The period for these bonds to double in value can vary.
- Bonds Purchased May 2005 or Later: These bonds earn a fixed interest rate for the first 20 years. A significant feature is that they are guaranteed to double in value if held for the full 20 years. After 20 years, they earn a variable interest rate for the remaining 10 years until final maturity at 30 years.
Using the EE Bond Value Estimator
Our EE Bond Value Estimator helps you project the potential growth of your EE savings bonds. Here's how to use it:
- Bond Purchase Date: Enter the exact date your EE bond was issued. This is crucial for determining its age and applicable rules.
- Bond Purchase Price: Input the actual amount you paid for the bond (e.g., $25, $50, $100). Remember, this is half of its face value.
- Date of Valuation: You can enter today's date to see its current estimated value, or a future date to project its value over time.
- Assumed Annual Interest Rate: Since actual EE bond rates can vary and change over time (especially after the initial fixed-rate period for newer bonds), this calculator uses an assumed annual interest rate for its projections. This allows you to model different growth scenarios.
Understanding the Results and Limitations
The calculator will provide an estimated current or future value and the total interest earned based on your inputs. It will also highlight important EE bond characteristics:
- 30-Year Maturity: It will alert you if your bond is approaching or has passed its 30-year maturity, after which it stops earning interest.
- Doubling Guarantee: For bonds purchased May 2005 or later, it will remind you of the 20-year doubling guarantee and show you what that doubled value would be. Note that if your assumed rate is very low, the compounded value might appear less than the guaranteed doubled value, indicating that the actual fixed rate for the first 20 years was higher than your assumption.
- Simplified Rates: It's important to remember that this calculator uses a simplified assumed interest rate for projection. The actual interest rates for EE bonds are set by the U.S. Treasury and can change, especially for bonds purchased before May 2005 or for the variable rate period after 20 years for newer bonds.
For Exact Values: TreasuryDirect
While this estimator is useful for projections and understanding the mechanics, for the most accurate and up-to-date value of your EE bonds, you should always use the official TreasuryDirect Bond Value Calculator. This tool has access to all historical interest rates and specific bond series information to provide precise valuations.