EE bonds mature in 30 years, but you can cash them anytime after one year

Series EE savings bonds reach their final maturity date 30 years from the issue date printed on the bond. At that point, the U.S. Treasury stops paying interest, and the bond no longer grows in value. However, you do not have to wait 30 years to cash your bond — you can redeem it at any time after holding it for at least one year, though you will lose the last three months of interest if you cash it before five years have passed.

The issue date is the month and year the bond was purchased. If you bought an EE bond in March 2000, it reaches final maturity in March 2030. After that date, the bond stops earning interest entirely, and holding it longer provides no financial benefit.

The one-year holding requirement exists to discourage very short-term redemptions. If you cash an EE bond within the first five years, the Treasury withholds the interest from the last three months you held it as a penalty. After five years, you can redeem without this penalty, but the bond continues to earn interest until year 30.

Key Takeaways

  • EE bonds stop earning interest at 30 years from the issue date, which is printed on the bond itself.
  • You can cash an EE bond anytime after one year, but redeeming before five years costs you three months of interest.
  • After five years, you can redeem without penalty, though the bond keeps earning interest until year 30.
  • Once a bond reaches 30 years, the Treasury will no longer pay interest, so cashing it or letting it sit makes no difference financially.

How to find your bond's issue date

The issue date appears on the front of the physical bond or in your account if you own paper bonds. For digital EE bonds purchased through TreasuryDirect, log into your account at treasurydirect.gov, select the bond, and the issue date will display in the bond details. The month and year shown is what you add 30 years to in order to find the maturity date.

If you own older paper bonds and the certificate is unclear, contact the Bureau of the Fiscal Service at 844-284-2676 or visit treasurydirect.gov to search for your bonds. You will need the bond serial number or other identifying information.

What happens when an EE bond reaches 30 years

When an EE bond reaches its 30-year maturity date, the bond stops accruing interest immediately. The value shown in your TreasuryDirect account or on your paper certificate becomes fixed — it will not increase by even one cent after that date. The Treasury has no obligation to pay additional interest beyond year 30.

You can still hold the bond after maturity, but there is no reason to from a financial standpoint. The bond will not grow, and you are not earning anything by keeping it. Most people cash mature bonds within a few months of the maturity date, though there is no deadline to do so.

If you own paper bonds that have matured, you can redeem them at most banks or through the Treasury. Digital bonds can be redeemed directly through your TreasuryDirect account.

The difference between maturity and redemption

Maturity is when the bond stops earning interest — a fixed date determined by when you bought it. Redemption is when you cash the bond and receive your money. These are two separate events. You can redeem a bond before it matures (after one year), and you can wait to redeem a bond long after it has matured.

Many people confuse the two and think they must cash the bond on the maturity date. That is not true. You can redeem anytime after one year. The maturity date is simply when the Treasury stops paying interest, so holding the bond past that date serves no purpose.

Why the 30-year maturity matters for your money

The 30-year maturity is important because it affects how long your money is locked into a fixed, low-interest investment. EE bonds currently earn a fixed rate set by the Treasury every six months. That rate has historically been lower than other savings options, so knowing when your bond stops growing helps you decide whether to keep the money in bonds or move it elsewhere.

If you have a bond approaching year 30, you should plan to redeem it and consider other places for that money — a high-yield savings account, a money market account, or a CD might offer better returns at that point. Letting a mature bond sit in your account earns you nothing.

Tracking multiple bonds with different maturity dates

If you own several EE bonds purchased in different years, each one has its own maturity date. TreasuryDirect displays all your bonds with their individual issue dates and current values, making it easy to see which ones are approaching year 30. Set a reminder for yourself a few months before each bond matures so you do not forget to redeem it.

Paper bonds are harder to track. Write the issue date and maturity date on the back of each certificate or keep a simple spreadsheet. This prevents the common mistake of holding a mature bond for years without realizing it has stopped earning interest.

What to do if you cannot find your bond's maturity date

If you have a paper EE bond but cannot read the issue date clearly, the Bureau of the Fiscal Service can help. Call 844-284-2676 with the bond serial number, or visit treasurydirect.gov and use their search tool. You will need to provide identifying information to confirm you own the bond.

For digital bonds, your TreasuryDirect account shows all the information you need. If you have forgotten your login, you can reset it through the website or call the TreasuryDirect customer service line.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash an EE bond after it matures?

Yes. A bond can be redeemed anytime after one year, whether it has matured or not. Maturity simply means the bond stops earning interest — it does not prevent you from cashing it. You can hold a mature bond for years if you choose, though you will earn nothing during that time.

Do I lose money if I cash an EE bond before five years?

You do not lose the principal, but you lose three months of interest. If you redeem before five years have passed, the Treasury withholds the last three months of earnings. After five years, you can redeem without this penalty.

What if I bought an EE bond in 2010 and have not cashed it yet?

That bond reached maturity in 2040 and has stopped earning interest. You should redeem it soon, as holding it longer provides no financial benefit. You can cash it at most banks or through your TreasuryDirect account if it is digital.

Does the maturity date change if I do not cash the bond?

No. The maturity date is fixed 30 years from the issue date, regardless of whether you cash the bond or hold it. Waiting does not extend the maturity date or allow the bond to earn interest longer.

How do I know if my paper bond has matured?

Add 30 years to the issue date on the front of the bond. If today's date is past that date, the bond has matured. You can also contact the Bureau of the Fiscal Service at 844-284-2676 with the serial number to confirm the maturity date.