EE Bond Calculator
Calculate EE Savings Bond value, interest earned, and maturity projections with Treasury rates
Standard denominations: $25 to $10,000
Bond Formula
EE Bonds calculate value with monthly compounding:
Where P = principal, r = annual rate, n = months held
Quick Summary
Current Value
$102.17
0.5 years held
Interest Earned
$2.17
4.30% annual rate
Maturity Value (20 yrs)
$235.95
234 months until maturity
Detailed Results
Initial Investment
$100.00
Current Value
$102.17
Interest Earned
$2.17
Return on Investment
2.17%
Bond Information
Early Withdrawal Information
Your bond is less than 5 years old. Early redemption will result in a penalty.
Consider waiting until your bond is 5 years old to redeem without penalty.
20-Year Maturity Projection
Frequently Asked Questions
What are EE Savings Bonds?
EE Savings Bonds are U.S. government-issued bonds that are a safe, low-risk investment option. They earn a fixed interest rate that is announced every six months by the U.S. Department of Treasury. The bonds are issued at face value (100% of denomination) and grow through monthly interest accrual.
How do EE Bonds earn interest?
EE Bonds earn interest that accrues monthly based on the fixed annual interest rate announced at the time of purchase. The interest is added to the principal every 6 months, creating a compounding effect. This means you earn interest on your interest, accelerating growth over time.
What is the maturity period?
EE Bonds have a maturity period of 20 years, after which they stop earning interest. At maturity, you can either cash them in or let them be reinvested. If you hold bonds for less than 5 years, you forfeit the last 3 months of interest as a penalty when redeeming early.
Can I withdraw my money early?
Yes, you can redeem EE Bonds at any time after they have been held for at least 1 year. However, if you redeem before 5 years, you will lose the last 3 months of interest as a penalty. After 5 years, you can redeem without penalty.
Are EE Bonds subject to taxes?
EE Bonds are exempt from state and local taxes, but federal income tax applies. You have two tax reporting options: (1) Report the interest earned each year as it accrues, or (2) Report all interest at redemption or maturity. Educational benefits may also apply if bonds are used for qualified education expenses.
How do I purchase EE Bonds?
As of 2012, EE Bonds can only be purchased through TreasuryDirect (treasurydirect.gov) in electronic form. Paper bonds are no longer issued. You need an online account with TreasuryDirect to purchase bonds, transfer them, and manage your account.
What interest rates apply to my bond?
The interest rate on your EE Bond is determined by the 6-month period in which you purchased it (May or November). This rate remains fixed for the life of the bond. Different purchase periods have different rates, which is why bonds purchased in different months or years may earn different returns.
What is the difference between current value and maturity value?
Current value is what your bond is worth today based on the interest accrued so far. Maturity value is what your bond will be worth at 20 years if you hold it until maturity. Both values include the compounding effect of monthly interest accrual.
Pro Tips
- • EE Bonds are backed by the U.S. government, making them one of the safest investment options with zero risk of default.
- • Lock in higher interest rates: Bonds purchased during high-rate periods (like 2023-2025) offer superior returns compared to older bonds.
- • Wait 5 years before redeeming to avoid the 3-month interest penalty and maximize your returns.
- • Consider tax-advantaged education savings: Use EE Bonds for education expenses to potentially avoid federal taxes on interest earned.
- • Plan for inflation: While EE Bonds are safe, historical returns may not keep pace with inflation over 20 years.
- • Monthly compounding means even small differences in interest rates create significant returns over 20 years—starting early matters.
- • Bonds stop earning interest at 20 years; consider redeeming or letting them convert to HH Bonds for continued growth.
- • TreasuryDirect accounts allow you to purchase up to $10,000 per calendar year per person in electronic EE Bonds.
TL;DR Logs
View the latest updates and features