Calculate the Value of Your Paper Savings Bonds

To create an inventory, enter information about your paper bonds, one bond at a time, into the Calculator. NerdWallet, Inc. is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. Its articles, interactive tools and other content are provided to you for free, as self-help tools and for informational purposes only.

However, paper bonds stop earning interest once they mature, so there’s little sense in holding them beyond that. These days, most savers purchase electronic savings bonds through TreasuryDirect.gov. Log into your account and navigate to the Current Holdings tab to view the value of your savings bonds. Checking the value of your savings bonds can help you decide whether to cash in, reinvest or simply assess your bond’s performance within your portfolio.

You will need to input the bond’s series (EE or I), its denomination (face value, such as $100), and its exact issue date (month and year). While the serial number is not strictly required for the calculation, it can be useful for record-keeping, especially if you are creating an inventory of multiple bonds. After providing this information, the calculator will display the bond’s current value, including the total accrued interest and the next date interest will be added. When you are ready to cash in your savings bonds, you can do so online, by mail or at a bank or credit union.

Vault’s Viewpoint on Checking or Calculating the Value of Savings Bonds

The value of a $100 savings bond after 10 years is not a fixed amount; it depends on several factors, including the type of bond and its issue date. Savings bonds are a secure, low-risk investment option issued by the U.S. Treasury, and understanding their value requires a look into their specific characteristics. Beware of internet scams with a picture of this page claiming you can enter your birth certificate number to access bonds owed to you.

Electronic Bonds

One of the safest investments available is the Series EE savings bond, issued by the U.S. government. Though savings bonds have a low rate of return, there are few investments that guarantee to double your money — but it does take 20 years. You must follow the instructions for saving your inventory (above) once you’ve updated the values or added or removed paper bonds. If you’d like more detail, check out our Instructions for Saving Your Inventory Page. The simplest option for cashing in your savings bonds is to go through the TreasuryDirect website, especially if you have electronic Series EE and Series I savings bonds. You can cash in a portion—at least $25—or all of your savings bond as long as you’ve held it for at least a year.

• Gerald offers a unique approach with its Buy Now, Pay Later and cash advance services.
• Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
• Series EE savings bonds can be redeemed a year from purchase, but you won’t see the same level of returns if you cash in your bond before it matures in 20 years.
• WILL NOT save an inventory you make with the Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge browser.
• For that reason, Sundin cautions against purchasing savings bonds unless there’s a specific purpose for them in your portfolio.

What Happens if I Cash in My Savings Bond Early?

• Traditional savings are vital, but financial wellness in 2025 is about blending long-term strategies with short-term flexibility.
• By buying a U.S. savings bond, you are lending the government money.
• You can save your inventory so you can update your paper bond values quickly and easily.
• However, paper bonds stop earning interest once they mature, so there’s little sense in holding them beyond that.
• Keep in mind, partial redemptions are not an option with paper bonds; they must be cashed at full value.

This allows you to handle emergencies without disrupting your savings strategy. They are a reliable, slow-growth investment backed by the U.S. government. In contrast, a cash advance from an app provides immediate access to funds. Many people search for a quick cash advance or even a payday advance for bad credit, often finding options with high fees and and interest rates.

Understanding this value is key to making informed financial decisions, especially when you need to decide whether to hold onto them or cash them in for more immediate needs. For many, this is a better alternative to seeking out a risky no-credit-check loan. If you wish to calculate the value of paper savings bonds, the process is pretty straightforward. Access the paper savings bond calculator at TreasuryDirect and follow the directions.

Ultimate Finance Calculator

In general, you can usually expect to earn more in interest with a Series EE savings bond than with a high-yield savings account, yet the money in the savings account is more accessible. If you have a paper EE savings bond (perhaps you received it as a gift) and aren’t sure what to do with it, head to TreasuryDirect to calculate the value of your paper savings bond. New EE bonds are only issued electronically, but it’s possible to have a paper bond issued between 1980 and 2012. If you purchased EE bonds electronically, the best way to see their value is to log in to the TreasuryDirect account through which you bought the bonds.

Also, check to see if they have any redemption limits and what identification you’ll need to complete the transaction. Many banks and financial institutions allow you to cash in your savings bonds and might also help you determine the value of those bonds. Additionally, many software tools and apps— including those from brokerages and financial management companies—allow you to input your bond information to determine its value. Accurately determining a savings bond’s value hinges on having specific information readily available. For paper bonds, this information is typically printed directly on the bond certificate.

Mobile plan advances are applicable to mobile plans via Cranberry Mobile. Greg Johnson is a freelance editor for Newsweek’s personal finance team. He has been writing and editing personal finance, credit card and travel content for over a decade at his website—ClubThrifty.com—and other national publications. Tim Maxwell is a freelance personal finance writer with over two decades of media experience. His work has been published in Bankrate, CBS News, calculate the value of your paper savings bonds Experian and other outlets.

6 Advances are reassessed upon repayment of the previous advance or after 30 days if unused. 1 Not every user is eligible for advances, with amounts ranging from $40 to $200, contingent on Gerald’s approval and company policies. Gerald Technologies is a financial technology company, not a bank. Click on the Update button and your inventory will be restored in the Savings Bond Calculator. “The Treasury only waives the one-year rule if you experience a disaster and need to tap your cash sooner,” financial adviser Sundin says. To see where the issue date and serial number are found on a bond, see our diagram.

They don’t become worthless at that point, and you can still redeem them after they mature. If you want to continue earning interest, however, you can reinvest your funds into new bonds. Keep in mind that a savings bond is redeemable one year after you purchase it, but you’ll lose three months of interest if you cash it in within five years of the issue date.