Check the current value on TreasuryDirect or call the Treasury

Your EE bond's value depends on how long you have held it and the interest rate it earned when you bought it. The fastest way to find the exact amount is to log into TreasuryDirect (treasurydirect.gov) with your username and password. Your account shows each bond's purchase date, denomination, issue date, and current value in real time.

If you do not have a TreasuryDirect account or cannot access it, you can call the Bureau of the Fiscal Service at 844-284-2676. They can look up bonds registered in your name and tell you what each one is worth. Have your Social Security number ready.

Paper EE bonds (the kind issued before 2002) are not in TreasuryDirect. For those, you will need to contact the Treasury directly or use the Savings Bond Calculator on treasurydirect.gov, which lets you enter the series, denomination, and issue date to estimate value.

Key Takeaways

  • TreasuryDirect shows your current bond value instantly if you have an online account; log in to see each bond's exact worth.
  • The Treasury's phone line (844-284-2676) can look up bonds by your Social Security number if you cannot access TreasuryDirect.
  • Paper bonds issued before 2002 require the Savings Bond Calculator or a phone call, since they do not appear in online accounts.
  • EE bonds earn interest monthly but only show their full value after 20 years; cashing them in before that may result in a penalty.

How EE bond value grows over time

An EE bond purchased today earns a fixed interest rate set by the Treasury every six months. The rate changes on May 1 and November 1 each year. Your bond's value increases every month, even though you only see the total when you check your account.

EE bonds have a final maturity date of 30 years. At that point, the Treasury stops adding interest. If you have not cashed the bond by then, you can still hold it, but it will not grow in value anymore. The Treasury will send you a notice when your bond reaches final maturity.

If you cash an EE bond before it has been held for five years, you lose the last three months of interest as a penalty. For example, if you cash a bond after four years and nine months, you receive the value as of four years and six months. After five years, there is no penalty.

Understanding the difference between purchase price and current value

You may have paid $50 or $100 for an EE bond when you bought it, but that is not what it is worth now. EE bonds are sold at face value — meaning a $100 bond costs $100 — but they earn interest from the day you buy them. The current value shown in TreasuryDirect or on your statement is the purchase price plus all interest earned to date.

The longer you hold the bond, the more interest it accumulates. A $100 EE bond held for 20 years will be worth more than $100. The exact amount depends on the interest rate your bond earned during each six-month period it was held.

What to do if you cannot find your bonds

If you think you own EE bonds but cannot locate them, the Treasury maintains a searchable database called Treasury Hunt (treasuryhunt.treasurydirect.gov). You can search by your name and state to see if any unclaimed bonds are registered to you. This database includes both paper and electronic bonds.

If you find bonds listed in Treasury Hunt, you can claim them through TreasuryDirect or by contacting the Bureau of the Fiscal Service. The process takes a few weeks. Your bonds continue to earn interest even if they are unclaimed, so there is no rush, but retrieving them lets you see their current value and decide whether to cash them or hold them longer.

How to read your bond value statement

When you look at your TreasuryDirect account or a paper statement, you will see several columns. The denomination is the face value you paid (usually $50 or $100). The issue date is when you bought it. The current value is what it is worth today, including all interest earned. The final maturity date is when the bond stops earning interest (30 years from the issue date).

Some statements also show the next accrual date, which is the next date interest will be added to your bond. For EE bonds, this happens on the first of each month. If you cash the bond before the next accrual date, you do not receive that month's interest.

When to cash your bonds based on their value

There is no single "right time" to cash an EE bond — it depends on whether you need the money and what you plan to do with it. If you need the cash now, you can cash any bond that has been held for at least five years without losing interest. If you do not need it, holding the bond longer means more interest accumulates.

EE bonds stop earning interest at 30 years. If your bond is approaching that date, cashing it before final maturity makes sense because you will not earn anything by holding it longer. Check TreasuryDirect to see your bond's final maturity date.

Keep in mind that cashing a bond counts as income on your federal tax return for the year you cash it. The interest you earned is taxable. If you hold the bond until after you retire and your income is lower, you may owe less tax on the interest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my bond value without creating a TreasuryDirect account?

You can call the Treasury at 844-284-2676 and they will look up your bonds by your Social Security number. You can also use the Savings Bond Calculator on treasurydirect.gov if you have the series, denomination, and issue date of a paper bond. Creating a TreasuryDirect account is free and gives you instant access to all your electronic bonds.

Why does my bond value show different amounts on different days?

EE bonds earn interest on the first of each month. If you check your account on the 15th and again on the 1st of the next month, the value will be slightly higher on the 1st because that month's interest has been added. The value does not change on other days.

What if I lost my paper EE bond certificate?

You do not need the physical certificate to cash the bond. Search Treasury Hunt to see if it is registered to you, then contact the Bureau of the Fiscal Service at 844-284-2676. They can help you claim and cash it. Bring your Social Security number and any information you remember about when and where you bought it.

Does my bond value ever go down?

No. EE bonds only earn interest or stay flat — they never lose value. Even if interest rates drop, your bond's value from previous months does not decrease. You always get back at least what you paid for it, plus any interest earned.

How do I know if my bond has reached final maturity?

Check TreasuryDirect or your statement for the final maturity date, which is 30 years from the issue date. The Treasury also sends a notice when a bond reaches final maturity. Once it does, the bond stops earning interest, so there is no benefit to holding it longer.