How long does a bond last?


Editorial team Published on

U.S. savings bonds last for 30 years before they completely stop earning interest, according to the Fiscal Data Explains U.S. Treasury Savings Bonds guide.

U.S. Savings Bonds (Series EE and Series I)

  • 1 Year: You must hold the bond for at least 12 months before you can cash it in.
  • 5 Years: You can cash the bond out after 5 years without any penalty. If you sell before 5 years, you lose the last 3 months of interest.
  • 20 Years: Series EE bonds are guaranteed to double in value by this time.
  • 30 Years: This is the final maturity date. The bond stops earning interest completely, and holding it longer means it can lose value due to inflation.

Standard Market and Government Bonds

  • Short-term bonds: Last from 1 to 5 years.
  • Medium-term bonds: Last from 5 to 12 years.
  • Long-term bonds: Last from 12 to 30 years.