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Are I bonds a good investment?

Series I savings bonds could offer unique benefits to your portfolio.

Article published: December 20, 2024

When U.S. pandemic-era inflation peaked at over 9% in June 2022, Series I savings bonds may have seemed an attractive choice for investors. But now that inflation is cooling down, so are interest rates. From May to October 2024, each Series I savings bond issued will offer 4.28% interest with a fixed rate of 1.3%. This has left many wondering whether they are still a good investment.

To find that out, let鈥檚 take a look at what an I bond is, how it works, and the unique advantages and disadvantages it has for investors.

WHAT ARE SERIES I SAVINGS BONDS?

A听Series I savings bond听is a type of U.S. Treasury bond that earns interest from two different rates: a fixed rate and a variable inflation rate. While the fixed rate remains the same throughout the bond lifecycle, the variable rate adjusts every six months based on changes in the consumer price index. Because the interest on I bonds is largely tied to inflation, they are a popular choice for investors during times of rising consumer prices. However, they aren鈥檛 the only savings option from the Treasury Department.

WHAT ARE SERIES EE BONDS?

Series EE bonds are a close cousin to I bonds. They both:

鈼徧 Have a minimum purchase amount of $25

鈼徧 Can be sold after one year

鈼徧 Earn monthly interest

鈼徧 Compound interest semiannually for up to 30 years

Unlike I bonds, which adjust for inflation without guaranteeing returns, EE bonds offer a single fixed rate of 2.7%, for EE bonds issued between May and October of 2024. This fixed bond yield is ideal when interest and inflation rates remain low for an extended period of time.

HOW DO I BONDS WORK?

The Treasury Department designed Series I savings bonds to offer the average investor a low-risk security option backed by the U.S. government. However, the safety of a government bond means it offers a relatively low return when compared to riskier, high-yield options like municipal or corporate bonds.

Instead, I bonds are more akin to a certificate of deposit or high-interest savings account when it comes to returns.

While Series EE bonds come with a maximum annual purchase limit of $15,000 per investor, I bond investments are capped at $10,000 鈥 but they can be purchased starting at $25. Both bonds can earn interest for a maximum period of 30 years, but with EE bonds, the rate remains the same for only the first 20 years, after which it may change. You can also sell I bonds after only one year, but anything sold less than five years after purchase will incur a penalty of at least three months鈥 interest.

EARNING INTEREST ON I BONDS

Because I bonds come with two interest rates, it can be difficult to determine the composite rate you鈥檒l receive..

The composite rate for I bonds issued from November 2024 through April 2025 is 3.11%.

Here's how we got that rate:

Fixed rate

1.20%

Semiannual (1/2 year) inflation rate

0.95%

Composite rate formula: [Fixed rate + (2 x semiannual inflation rate) + (fixed rate x semiannual inflation rate)]

[0.0120 + (2 x 0.0095) + (0.0120 x .0095)]

Gives a composite rate of

[0.0120 + 0.0190 + 0.0001140]

Adding the parts gives

0.031114

Rounding gives

0.0311

Turning the decimal number to a percentage gives a composite rate of

3.11%

I BONDS and taxes

Series I bonds are considered zero-coupon bonds. This means that they don鈥檛 pay interest during the lifetime of the bond, instead adding it to the total value to earn greater interest. Therefore, you don鈥檛 have to pay taxes on interest until you redeem an I bond. While there are no state or local taxes related to the investment, you will have to pay federal taxes.

As a bondholder, you have two options to pay this:

  1. Cash method:听You pay a lump sum in taxes once you sell the bond.
  2. Accrual method:听You pay yearly taxes on any interest earned.

The government also considers some I bonds interest tax-free if you exclusively use the interest to pay for a qualified higher education expense .

I BONDS AND RETIREMENT

Due to the relative safety and tax-deferred interest of I bonds, they鈥檙e often an attractive investment option for those nearing retirement so retirees can have a reliable income that adjusts to changing consumer prices.

THE PROS AND CONS OF INVESTING IN I BONDS

Now that we have a good understanding of what I bonds are and how they work, let鈥檚 take a broader look at the unique advantages and potential pitfalls of these investments.

PROS OF I BONDS:

  • The variable interest rate can offer competitive returns during times of inflation
  • They carry low risk because they鈥檙e backed by the U.S. Treasury Department
  • They can听help diversify听and balance riskier portfolios
  • The interest can be tax-deferred, unlike other bonds or bond funds
  • The inflation-adjusted interest rate ensures your savings won鈥檛 lose buying power

CONS OF I BONDS:

  • Variable rates can fall with inflation
  • You can鈥檛 touch the money for one year
  • Early withdrawals before five years will incur penalties
  • There is a $10,000 annual investment limit per Social Security number
  • You can鈥檛 buy I bonds in tax-deferred accounts
  • As part of a portfolio, I bonds are more difficult to rebalance over time, relative to bond mutual funds or ETFs

ARE I BONDS A GOOD INVESTMENT?

Ultimately, the decision to invest in I bonds will depend on a number of factors, from your financial goals to your timeline.

If you鈥檙e looking for a relatively safe investment to听hedge against inflation听and earn interest on your savings, they鈥檙e an excellent choice. However, it鈥檚 important to understand how the rules and tax implications will impact your finances down the line. Be prepared to hold I bonds for at least a year and, ideally, five or more to avoid penalties and get the most for your money.

As an alternative to I bonds, Treasury Inflation Protected Securities may suit some portfolios better. Mutual funds or ETFs that invest in TIPS can provide inflation protection, and they are liquid investments that can be bought and sold in small amounts to facilitate portfolio rebalancing over time. They can be held in tax-deferred accounts as well.

WHERE TO BUY A SERIES I SAVINGS BOND

To purchase I bonds, you can visit the website or use your federal tax refund to buy up to $5,000 of paper I bonds.

SMART INVESTING WITH A FINANCIAL ADVISOR

Before you start changing your听investment strategy听to incorporate I bonds, it鈥檚 always best to consult with a professional.

At 91论坛 Engines, our financial advisors use an integrated approach to wealth management, taking all your investments, tax obligations, insurance policies, retirement and estate plans into consideration. Supported by a team of experts, they鈥檒l advise you on a strategy to help build, grow, protect and preserve your wealth.

Contact a financial advisor听today.

Investing strategies, such as asset allocation, diversification or rebalancing, do not ensure or guarantee better performance and cannot eliminate the risk of investment losses. All investments have inherent risks, including loss of principal. There are no guarantees that a portfolio employing these or any other strategy will outperform a portfolio that does not engage in such strategies.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Neither 91论坛 Engines nor its affiliates offer tax or legal advice. Interested parties are strongly encouraged to seek advice from your qualified tax and/or legal professionals to help determine the best options for your particular circumstances.

This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute an offer, solicitation or advertisement with respect to the purchase or sale of any security. All investments have inherent risks. There can be no assurance that the investment strategy proposed will obtain its goal.

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Wei-Yin Hu

Vice President, Financial Research and Strategy

With more than 30 years of experience, Wei helps lead a team of financial researchers and portfolio strategists who work on stimulating problems that also have a real-world impact on people鈥檚 lives. Their responsibilities include the development of the analytical models that generate 91论坛 Engines recommendations and forecasts, as well as the design of new advice ...

Carissa Caramanis

Lead Writer, Digital Content and Education Center

With more than 30 years of experience in content and communications, Carissa is the lead writer for the 91论坛 Engines digital content team.

Carissa joined 91论坛 Engines in 2022 to lead content development for the Education Center and to support digital content growth. She took her first paid newswriting job at the age of 16 and has been writing ever since, having ...


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