You probably found them in a dusty envelope. Or maybe a safety deposit box that hasn’t been opened since the Clinton administration. Those crinkly, colorful pieces of paper with "Series EE" printed in the corner. Honestly, most people look at them and wonder if they're actually worth anything or if they've just become vintage wallpaper.
Figuring out how much are series ee savings bonds worth isn't as simple as reading the number on the front. That "Face Value" is a bit of a lie, at least for the older paper ones. If you have a $100 paper bond from 1994, you didn't pay $100 for it. You paid $50. The value grows over time, and it’s likely worth way more than that $100 "face" amount today. But if you bought a digital one recently? Totally different story.
The Secret Math Behind the Value
Here is the thing. Series EE bonds are basically a loan you gave the government. In exchange, they promise to pay you back with interest. But the way they calculate that interest has changed so many times it'll make your head spin.
If you bought your bond between May 1997 and April 2005, it earns a variable rate. It changes every six months. If you bought it after May 2005, it has a fixed rate. Right now, for bonds issued between November 1, 2025, and April 30, 2026, that rate is 2.50%.
But there is a "magic" rule most people forget.
The Treasury guarantees that a Series EE bond will double in value after 20 years. Period. If the interest rates were garbage and the bond hasn't reached double its purchase price by the 20-year mark, the government makes a one-time adjustment to get it there.
Expert Tip: If you have a paper bond, the "Denomination" on the front is the value it hits after it doubles. You bought it for half that. If you have a $500 bond from January 2006, it just hit its "face value" of $500 recently.
How to Check the Exact Value Right Now
You don't need a degree in finance to figure this out. The government actually provides a tool, though it looks like it was designed in 1998.
- For Paper Bonds: Use the TreasuryDirect Savings Bond Calculator. You’ll need the series (EE), the denomination (like $50 or $100), and the Issue Date. You don't actually need the serial number just to see the value, but it helps if you're saving a list.
- For Electronic Bonds: These are much easier. Just log into your TreasuryDirect account. The current value is right there on your dashboard, updated monthly.
Kinda annoying: If your bond is less than five years old, you lose the last three months of interest if you cash it in. It’s a "penalty," though it’s not a huge amount. If the bond is older than five years, you're in the clear.
The 30-Year "Death" Date
This is where people lose money. Series EE bonds earn interest for 30 years. That’s it.
Once they hit that 30-year birthday, they stop earning. They go "flat." If you have a bond from 1995, it’s still earning. If you have one from December 1993, it stopped earning in late 2023. You are essentially giving the government a free loan by holding onto it past 30 years.
Honestly, check your dates. If your bond is 30 years old, go to the bank or log into TreasuryDirect and cash that thing out immediately. There is no reason to wait.
Taxes: The Part Everyone Hates
When you finally find out how much are series ee savings bonds worth and decide to cash them in, Uncle Sam wants his cut.
You owe federal income tax on all the interest the bond earned. The good news? No state or local taxes. You can usually choose to pay the tax every year, but almost nobody does that. Most people just pay the whole chunk when they cash the bond.
There is one "get out of jail free" card here. If you use the bond money for qualified higher education expenses (like college tuition for you, a spouse, or a dependent), you might be able to skip the federal tax entirely. There are income limits, though. In 2025/2026, those limits hover around $100k-$115k for individuals, so check the latest IRS Form 8815 before you assume you're exempt.
Should You Cash Out or Wait?
It depends on when you bought it.
If your bond is 19 years old, wait. You are about to hit that 20-year "doubling" guarantee. Cashing it at year 19 could mean leaving hundreds of dollars on the table because the government hasn't added that "catch-up" payment yet.
If your bond is brand new (paying 2.50%), it might be lagging behind other options. High-yield savings accounts or Series I bonds (which track inflation) sometimes offer better returns. But Series EE is a "set it and forget it" play. It’s safe. It’s boring. And sometimes boring is exactly what you want with your money.
Your Next Steps
- Find the Issue Date: Look at the top right of your paper bonds.
- Run the Calculator: Use the TreasuryDirect site to see the "Current Value."
- Check for "Maturity": Is it over 30 years old? Cash it now.
- Wait for 20: If it's close to its 20th birthday, hold on until that one-time value jump hits.
- Plan for Taxes: Set aside about 15-25% of the interest for the IRS when you redeem.
If you're dealing with paper bonds and your local bank says they won't cash them (which is happening more often lately), you'll have to mail them to the Treasury Retail Securities Site. It’s a bit of a process, but it’s the only way to get your cash if the local branch gives you the cold shoulder.