Series EE bonds mature at 30 years from issue date, though they stop earning interest at 20 years

A Series EE savings bond issued today will reach its maturity date 30 years later. At that point, the bond stops earning interest entirely, whether you cash it in or not. However, the bond stops accruing interest at the 20-year mark, meaning the last decade of the 30-year period produces no additional value.

The Treasury does not force you to cash in a mature bond. You can hold it indefinitely after maturity, but it will not grow. Most people cash in their bonds once they stop earning interest at year 20, since there is no financial reason to wait the extra 10 years.

Key Takeaways

  • Series EE bonds stop earning interest at 20 years from the issue date, even though the official maturity date is 30 years.
  • You can cash in a Series EE bond anytime after five years without penalty, but you will lose the last three months of interest if you cash it in before five years have passed.
  • The issue date printed on your bond certificate is what matters for calculating maturity — not the date you purchased it or received it as a gift.
  • After a bond matures at 30 years, it earns nothing and has no reason to be held, though the Treasury will not automatically cash it for you.

How the 20-year and 30-year dates work together

Series EE bonds have two important dates, and they work differently. The 20-year mark is when the bond stops earning interest. The 30-year mark is the official maturity date. Between years 20 and 30, your bond's value does not change — it simply sits there.

For example, a Series EE bond issued on January 1, 2024, stops earning interest on January 1, 2044. It reaches maturity on January 1, 2054. If you hold it from 2044 to 2054, the value stays the same. There is no penalty for holding it past year 20, but there is also no reason to, since you are earning zero percent interest.

The five-year holding period and early redemption penalty

You cannot cash in a Series EE bond penalty-free until five years have passed from the issue date. If you redeem the bond before the five-year mark, the Treasury deducts the last three months of interest from your payment. This is called the early redemption penalty.

After five years, you can cash in the bond anytime without losing any interest. This applies whether you cash it in at year 5, year 20, or year 30. The five-year rule is separate from the maturity dates — it is simply a minimum holding period the Treasury enforces.

Finding your bond's issue date

The issue date is printed on the bond certificate itself, usually near the top. If you own a paper bond, look for the line that says "Issue Date" — this is the date that determines when your bond matures. If you own a digital bond through TreasuryDirect, log into your account and view the bond details; the issue date appears there as well.

The issue date is not the same as the purchase date or the date you received the bond. A bond purchased in March might have an issue date of February if it was issued in the previous month. Always use the printed or displayed issue date, not when you bought it.

What happens after maturity

Once a Series EE bond reaches 30 years, it stops earning interest and the Treasury considers it mature. You are not required to cash it in — you can hold it forever if you want. However, holding a mature bond serves no purpose, since it produces no additional value and you are not earning any return on your money.

The Treasury does not automatically cash in mature bonds or send you a check. You must initiate the redemption yourself. For paper bonds, you take them to a bank or credit union. For digital bonds held in TreasuryDirect, you log in and request the redemption online. The funds are deposited into your bank account within a few business days.

Tracking maturity dates across multiple bonds

If you own several Series EE bonds purchased in different years, each one has its own maturity schedule. A bond issued in 2010 matured in 2040 and stopped earning interest in 2030. A bond issued in 2015 stops earning interest in 2035 and matures in 2045. You need to track each bond separately to know when to cash them in.

TreasuryDirect shows all your bonds and their maturity dates in one place if you hold them digitally. For paper bonds, write the issue date and maturity date on the back of the certificate or keep a spreadsheet. This prevents you from accidentally holding a mature bond that is no longer earning anything.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash in my Series EE bond before it matures?

Yes, anytime after five years from the issue date. If you cash it in before five years, you lose the last three months of interest. After five years, there is no penalty regardless of when you redeem it — at year 10, year 20, or year 30.

What if I lose track of my bond's issue date?

Check the bond certificate itself — the issue date is printed on it. If you own digital bonds through TreasuryDirect, log in and view your account; all bond details including issue dates are listed there. Contact the Treasury if you cannot locate a paper bond's information.

Do I have to cash in my bond when it reaches 20 years?

No. You can hold it until year 30 or beyond. However, once it stops earning interest at year 20, there is no financial benefit to waiting. Most people cash in their bonds at year 20 to put the money somewhere it can earn a return.

What is the difference between maturity and when interest stops?

Interest stops at 20 years. Maturity is at 30 years. Between those two dates, the bond's value does not change. After maturity at 30 years, the bond still has value and can be cashed in, but it earns nothing and never will.

If I inherit a Series EE bond, does the maturity date change?

No. The maturity date is based on the original issue date, not on when you inherit it. A bond issued in 2000 matures in 2030 whether the original owner held it or you inherited it in 2020. The issue date never changes.