Treasury Bonds: FAQs

What are the maturity terms for Treasury bonds?

We sell Treasury bonds in a term of 30 years.

How do I know when Treasury bonds will be auctioned?

We auction Treasury bonds monthly. We auction bonds at original issue in February, May, August, and November, and we auction them in reopenings in the other eight months. (For an explanation of reopenings, see the question below.)

For specific dates, see our Tentative Auction Schedule, which shows auction dates months in advance, or "Upcoming Auctions," which shows auctions that we have officially scheduled. (Auctions are officially scheduled only days before they are conducted.)

Also, you can sign up for e-mail notification of auctions.

What are reopenings, premiums, and accrued interest?

In a reopening, we auction additional amounts of a previously issued security. Reopened securities have the same maturity date and interest rate as the original securities, but a different issue date and usually a different price.

When you buy a reopened security, you have to pay a premium if the price of the security at reopening is greater than the face value of the security. The price of the reopened security will be determined at auction. Because the security is being auctioned at two separate times, market conditions probably won't be the same and, therefore, the prices likely won't be the same either.

Also, when you buy a reopened security, regardless of its price, you may have to pay accrued interest--interest the security earns from the original issue date of the security until the date we issue the security to you. However, we pay the accrued interest back to you in your first semiannual interest payment.

These bonds are reopenings: the ones we auction in January, March, April, June, July, September, October, and December.

Do you still issue Treasury bonds in paper form?

No. All Treasury bonds are now issued and held electronically.

Do some Treasury bonds still exist in paper form?

Yes. These are Treasury bonds that were issued in paper form and haven't matured. If you own one of these, you can convert it to electronic form and hold it in an account with us, or keep it in paper form. For information on paper Treasury bonds, contact us:

  • Send an e-mail
  • Call 304-480-7711
  • Write to:
    Customer Services Branch 3
    Definitives Section
    Bureau of the Public Debt
    P.O. Box 426
    Parkersburg, WV 26106-0426

Can I purchase Treasury bonds in Legacy Treasury Direct?

No. In 2007 we ceased selling Treasury bonds in Legacy Treasury Direct. However, you still may hold previously purchased Treasury bonds in Legacy Treasury Direct.

How can I place a competitive bid for a Treasury bond?

TreasuryDirect accepts only noncompetitive bids. To place a competitive bid, you must use a bank, broker, or dealer.

How do I transfer a Treasury bond from Legacy Treasury Direct to TreasuryDirect?

To transfer a Treasury bond from Legacy Treasury Direct to TreasuryDirect, take these steps:

  1. Open an account in TreasuryDirect. (If you already have an account, you may skip this step.) Effective April 2009, TreasuryDirect permits accounts for both individuals and various types of entities including trusts, estates, corporations, partnerships, etc. See Learn More about Entity Accounts for full information on the new registration types.
  2. Complete the Legacy Treasury Direct form"Security Transfer Request" (PD F 5179). In the form's section 3, check the box for "Transfer to an Established On-line TreasuryDirect Account Number." ( Download or order the form.) Your signature on this form must be certified. Your bank may provide this service.
  3. Mail the form to the Bureau of the Public Debt, at the address shown on the form.