Savings bonds stop earning interest after a set number of years, but the exact timeline depends on the type of bond you own

Series EE bonds stop earning interest after 30 years. Series I bonds also stop earning interest after 30 years. Series HH bonds (no longer sold but still held by many people) stop earning interest after 20 years. Once a bond reaches its final maturity date, it no longer accrues any new interest, even if you keep holding it.

The key distinction is between when a bond stops earning and when you must cash it in. You can hold a bond past its final maturity date without losing the principal and interest you've already accumulated—the money doesn't disappear. But from that point forward, you're holding an asset that generates zero return. For that reason, most people cash in their bonds once they stop earning.

The final maturity date is printed on your bond or shown in your TreasuryDirect account. If you've lost track of when your bonds mature, you can look them up by serial number on the Treasury Department's website or contact your bank if they hold the bonds for you.

Key Takeaways

  • Series EE and Series I bonds earn interest for exactly 30 years from the issue date, then stop accruing any new interest.
  • Series HH bonds, issued before 2004, stop earning interest after 20 years.
  • You can hold a bond past its final maturity date without losing your money, but it will earn nothing.
  • Cashing in a bond after it stops earning is usually the right move, since the money could be invested elsewhere.

Why the 30-year limit matters for your money

A bond that stops earning is dead weight in your portfolio. If you have $10,000 in a Series EE bond that reached its final maturity date five years ago, that $10,000 is sitting still while inflation erodes its purchasing power. The same $10,000 in a high-yield savings account or money market fund would be generating interest right now.

This is why tracking your bond maturity dates is a practical money habit. Set a calendar reminder for a few months before each bond matures, or review your TreasuryDirect account annually. When a bond is within six months of its final maturity date, start thinking about what you'll do with the proceeds—reinvest in new bonds, move the money to savings, or use it for a planned expense.

The difference between final maturity and the original maturity period

Savings bonds have two maturity dates that can confuse people. The original maturity period is when the bond's interest rate changes or the bond enters a new earning phase. For Series EE bonds, the original maturity is 20 years. At that point, the bond doesn't stop earning—it just switches to a new interest rate for the next 10 years.

The final maturity date is when all interest accrual stops permanently. For Series EE bonds, this is 30 years from the issue date. For Series I bonds, it's also 30 years. Once you hit final maturity, there is no extension or renewal—the bond is done earning.

Series I bonds work slightly differently because their interest rate changes every six months based on inflation. But the 30-year final maturity date is the same. You'll see your I bond's current rate in your TreasuryDirect account, and you can track exactly when it stops earning.

What happens if you hold a bond past its final maturity date

Nothing bad happens immediately. Your principal and all accumulated interest remain yours. The bond doesn't vanish, and the Treasury doesn't take the money back. You simply own an asset that no longer earns anything.

However, holding a matured bond creates a real opportunity cost. If you have $5,000 in a Series EE bond that stopped earning three years ago, you've lost three years of potential interest. Even in a low-rate environment, that's money left on the table. The longer you wait to cash in a matured bond, the more you're choosing not to earn.

There's also a practical reason to act: the longer you hold a matured bond, the easier it is to forget about it entirely. People sometimes discover old bonds in a safe deposit box years later, unaware they stopped earning decades ago. Cashing in bonds promptly keeps your finances organized and your money working.

How to find out when your bonds mature

If you own bonds through TreasuryDirect (the Treasury's online account system), log in and view your portfolio. Each bond listing shows the issue date and the final maturity date. You can also download a statement that includes all this information.

If you own paper bonds or bonds held at a bank, the maturity date is printed on the bond itself. Look for the issue date and add 30 years (for EE or I bonds) or 20 years (for HH bonds). If you can't locate the bond or the information, the Treasury's Savings Bond Calculator tool lets you enter the series, denomination, and issue date to find the exact maturity date.

If a bank holds your bonds, call and ask them to provide the maturity dates. They have this information in their records and can tell you which of your bonds are approaching or have already reached final maturity.

Cashing in a bond before it matures

You can cash in a savings bond before its final maturity date, but there are trade-offs. Series EE and Series I bonds have a one-year holding requirement—you must own the bond for at least one year before you can cash it in. If you cash in a bond within five years of purchase, you forfeit the last three months of interest.

This penalty structure means that if you buy a Series EE bond and cash it in after two years, you lose three months of interest. But if you hold it for five years or longer, there's no penalty. After five years, you can cash in the bond at any time and receive all accumulated interest.

For Series I bonds, the same rules apply: one-year minimum hold, and a three-month interest penalty if you cash in within five years. After five years, you can cash in penalty-free.

Planning around bond maturity dates

If you own multiple bonds, they likely have different maturity dates spread across several years. Create a simple list or spreadsheet with the issue date, denomination, and final maturity date for each bond. Update it once a year, and you'll always know which bonds are approaching the end of their earning life.

When a bond is within six months of maturity, decide what to do with the money. Your options include cashing it in and depositing the proceeds into a high-yield savings account, reinvesting in new Series I or EE bonds, or using the money for a planned expense. The key is making that decision before the bond stops earning, not years after.

If you're using bonds as part of a longer-term savings strategy, stagger your purchases so that bonds mature at different times. This prevents a situation where all your bonds mature in the same year and you have to decide what to do with a large lump sum at once.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I extend a savings bond after it reaches final maturity?

No. Once a bond reaches its final maturity date (30 years for EE and I bonds, 20 years for HH bonds), it stops earning interest permanently. There is no extension option. You must cash it in or hold it as a non-earning asset.

What if I lost my savings bond and don't know when it matures?

Contact the Treasury Department's Savings Bond Division or use the Savings Bond Calculator on TreasuryDirect if you have the series and issue date. If you own bonds through a bank, the bank can look up the maturity date using your account records. For lost paper bonds, the Treasury can help you locate them if you have the serial number.

Do I have to cash in a bond on its maturity date?

No. You can hold a bond past its final maturity date without penalty. However, it will earn no interest, so keeping money in a matured bond means missing out on potential returns elsewhere. Most people cash in bonds within a few months of maturity.

If I cash in a bond before five years, how much interest do I lose?

You forfeit the last three months of interest. So if you cash in a Series EE bond after two years, you receive the principal plus interest earned, minus three months' worth of interest. After five years, there is no penalty.

Are old Series HH bonds still earning interest?

Only if they haven't reached their 20-year final maturity date yet. Series HH bonds were last issued in 2004, so any HH bond issued that year would reach final maturity in 2024. Bonds issued earlier have already stopped earning. Check your TreasuryDirect account or contact the Treasury to confirm the maturity date of any HH bonds you own.