When Your Bonds Increase in Value
The issue date of your EE/E Bond governs when your bond increases in value. The easiest way to see when your bond will earn interest is to use our online Savings Bond Calculator.
Bonds Issued May 2005 and After
Series EE Bonds issued May 2005 and after increase in value every month. The bonds’ interest rate is fixed and compounded semiannually.
Bonds Issued May 1997 through April 2005
Series EE Bonds issued May 1997 and later increase in value every month. The bonds' interest rate is compounded semiannually. The rate announced each May and November for these bonds is applied to a bond for the six-month earning period.
Bonds Issued before May 1997
For most bonds issued earlier than May 1, 1997, interest is added every six months. If you know the month and year when your bond was issued, the tables below will help you determine when your bonds increase in value.
It's a good idea to cash a bond in a month in which interest is added to its value. For example, a bond with an issue date of February 1990 increases in value every August 1 and February 1. If you cash this bond in July, you'll get the same amount as if you had cashed it the prior February; but if you wait until August 1 to cash the bond, you'll get another six months of interest.
NOTE: Series E Bonds issued May 1941 through November 1965 stopped earning interest 40 years from the date of issue. Series EE/E Bonds and savings notes issued December 1965 and later stop earning interest 30 years from the date of issue.
Series EE Bond Semiannual Interest Accrual Dates
The following bonds increase in value as shown below:
- Series EE Bonds issued before March 1993,
- Series EE Bonds issued May 1995 through April 1997, and
- Series EE Bonds issued from March 1993 through April 1995 that are more than 5-years-old*.
| If month of issue is: | Values increase on 1st day of: |
| Jan or Jul | Jan and Jul |
| Feb or Aug | Feb and Aug |
| Mar or Sep | Mar and Sep |
| Apr or Oct | Apr and Oct |
| May or Nov | May and Nov |
| Jun or Dec | Jun and Dec |
*Please Note: EE Bonds issued March 1993 through April 1995 increased in value monthly the first five years and semiannually after that, unless monthly increases are needed to make sure the bonds earn at least 4%.
Series E Bond Semiannual Interest Accrual Dates
Series E Bonds stop earning interest 30 or 40 years after their issue dates as noted above, but while they're still earning interest, E bonds increase in value on the first day of each six-month period as shown below:
Bonds Issued December 1973 - June 1980
| If month of issue is: | Values increase on 1st day of: |
| Jan or Jul | Jan and Jul |
| Feb or Aug | Feb and Aug |
| Mar or Sep | Mar and Sep |
| Apr or Oct | Apr and Oct |
| May or Nov | May and Nov |
| Jun or Dec | Jun and Dec |
