How to Check the Value of a Savings Bond
Understand the current financial worth of your savings bonds. Our guide offers clear, simple steps to accurately check their value.
Savings bonds represent a secure investment backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. They offer a way for individuals to lend money to the government and earn interest over time. Understanding the current value of these bonds is an important aspect of financial planning, whether for assessing net worth, considering redemption, or for record-keeping purposes.
Identifying Your Savings Bond Details
Before determining a savings bond’s value, gather specific information from the bond itself. For a physical paper bond, locate the series type in the upper right corner. The denomination, or face value, is usually in the upper left corner. The issue date, consisting of the month and year, is printed on the right side of the bond, just below the series. Each paper bond also has a unique serial number in the lower right corner, useful for record-keeping and replacement if lost or destroyed.
For electronic savings bonds, purchased and held within a TreasuryDirect account, these details are readily accessible online. Log into your TreasuryDirect account to view your bond holdings, where the series, issue date, and current value are displayed.
Checking Value Online
The primary method for checking the value of paper savings bonds online is the TreasuryDirect website’s Savings Bond Calculator. To use this tool, select the bond’s series and denomination from the drop-down menus. Then, enter the bond’s issue date, using a two-digit month and four-digit year format. Clicking “Calculate” will display the bond’s current worth.
For electronic savings bonds, the process is direct. Log into your TreasuryDirect account. Once logged in, the current value of all electronic bonds held in the account is typically displayed under a “current holdings” or similar tab.
Checking Value Without Internet Access
For those without internet access, alternative methods exist for determining a savings bond’s value. You can submit a written request for a bond valuation to the U.S. Treasury. This inquiry should include the bond’s serial number(s) and be signed by the owner or co-owner. Do not send the actual bonds with your inquiry.
Mail your request to Treasury Retail Securities Services, P.O. Box 9150, Minneapolis, MN 55480-9150. Response times for mail inquiries can vary, potentially taking several weeks to months.
Some financial institutions, such as banks or credit unions, may also offer assistance with savings bond valuations or redemptions. Contact your specific bank directly to inquire about their current policies and whether they provide such support.
Interpreting Your Bond’s Current Value
The “current value” of a savings bond represents the original amount paid for the bond plus any interest that has accrued up to the date of valuation. Savings bonds earn interest over time, and this interest is typically compounded, meaning that interest is earned on both the principal and previously accrued interest. The interest calculation is generally applied monthly, with compounding occurring semiannually.
Savings bonds have an original maturity period, at which point they are guaranteed to reach a specific value. They also have an extended maturity period, during which they continue to earn interest. Interest ceases to accrue once the bond reaches its final maturity date, which is typically 30 years from its issue date for most modern series.