EE bonds stop earning interest after 30 years

EE bonds mature and stop paying interest after exactly 30 years from the issue date. The issue date is printed on the bond itself — it is the month and year you bought it or received it as a gift. Once that 30-year mark passes, the bond no longer grows in value, even if you keep holding it.

The 30-year maturity date is fixed and does not change. You cannot extend it or renew the same bond to keep it earning. If you want your money to continue growing after maturity, you must cash the bond in and move the money elsewhere, or purchase new EE bonds.

Before the 30-year mark, your EE bond earns interest for the full term. The interest rate is set when you buy the bond and stays the same for all 30 years. This is different from I bonds, which have rates that change every six months.

Key Takeaways

  • EE bonds stop earning interest exactly 30 years after the issue date printed on the bond.
  • Once matured, the bond's value freezes at whatever it had grown to — it will not increase further even if you hold it.
  • You can cash a matured EE bond at any time after it reaches 30 years, with no penalty.
  • If you want your savings to keep earning interest, you must cash the bond and reinvest the money before or shortly after the 30-year mark.

How to find your bond's maturity date

The issue date is printed directly on your paper EE bond certificate, usually in the upper right corner or near the serial number. Count forward 30 years from that month and year — that is your maturity date. For example, if your bond was issued in June 2000, it matures in June 2030.

If you own electronic EE bonds through TreasuryDirect, log into your account and look at your bond holdings. The issue date appears next to each bond. You can also download a statement that lists all your bonds with their issue dates and current values.

Write down or set a reminder for your maturity date. Many people forget they own bonds and miss the chance to move the money to a new investment before it stops growing.

What happens to your money after maturity

Your bond does not disappear or become worthless when it matures. The money stays there — it simply stops earning interest. The value it reached at year 30 is the final value. If your EE bond was worth $5,000 at maturity, it remains $5,000 whether you cash it at year 31 or year 40.

You can hold a matured EE bond indefinitely without penalty. There is no fee for keeping it, and the Treasury will not force you to cash it. However, holding it past maturity means your money is earning zero percent interest while inflation eats away at its purchasing power.

Many people accidentally leave matured bonds uncashed for years. The money sits idle when it could be earning interest elsewhere. Checking your bonds around their maturity date helps you avoid this.

Cashing an EE bond after it matures

You can cash a matured EE bond through the same method you would use to cash any EE bond. For paper bonds, take them to a bank or credit union and request to redeem them. For electronic bonds in TreasuryDirect, log in, select the bond, and request a redemption. The money goes to your linked bank account within a few business days.

There is no penalty for cashing an EE bond after it matures. If you cash it before five years have passed since purchase, you lose the last three months of interest — but once a bond has reached 30 years, this penalty no longer applies. You receive the full final value.

When you cash the bond, you will owe federal income tax on all the interest it earned over the 30 years. You do not owe tax on the original amount you invested, only on the earnings. The bank or TreasuryDirect will report the transaction to the IRS.

Planning ahead for bonds nearing maturity

If you have EE bonds approaching their 30-year mark, decide before maturity whether you want to reinvest the money. You have options: purchase new EE bonds, buy I bonds, open a high-yield savings account, or explore other investments. Each choice has different interest rates and terms.

The interest rate on new EE bonds changes every six months, so the rate you get on a replacement bond may be higher or lower than what your old bond earned. Check the current rate on the Treasury website before you decide.

If you own multiple bonds with different issue dates, create a simple list showing each bond's maturity date. This prevents you from accidentally letting one mature and stop earning while you focus on others.

The difference between maturity and final maturity

EE bonds have a maturity date at 30 years and a final maturity date at 30 years as well — they are the same for EE bonds. The bond stops earning interest at year 30 and that is also when you should plan to cash it or move the money.

Some older bonds or other types of savings bonds may have different terms, so always check the specific bond you own. The issue date and bond type determine the exact timeline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep an EE bond after it matures and still earn interest?

No. Once an EE bond reaches 30 years, it stops earning interest permanently. The value freezes at whatever it had grown to. If you want your money to continue earning, you must cash the bond and reinvest it elsewhere.

Do I have to cash my EE bond on the maturity date?

No. You can hold a matured bond as long as you want without penalty. However, holding it past maturity means your money earns zero percent while inflation reduces its value. Most people cash matured bonds within a few months.

What if I lost my EE bond certificate and don't know the issue date?

If you own electronic bonds through TreasuryDirect, log in to see all issue dates. For paper bonds, contact the Treasury at 1-844-284-2676 or visit treasurydirect.gov. They can help you locate your bonds and determine maturity dates.

Do I owe taxes when my EE bond matures?

You do not owe taxes simply because the bond matured. You owe federal income tax on the interest when you cash the bond, not when it reaches 30 years. The tax is due in the year you redeem it.

Can I roll my matured EE bond into a new one without cashing it?

No. You must cash the matured bond first, then use the money to purchase a new bond. There is no direct transfer or rollover option for EE bonds.