Here's what investors should consider now that Series I bonds are paying 5.27% (2024)

FAQs

Are series I bonds a good investment right now? ›

Are they still a good investment?” You're right: In 2022, Series I bonds, issued by the U.S. Treasury, rode a wave of popularity because they were one of the few safe ways to beat then-soaring inflation.

Some of the characteristics of bonds include their maturity, their coupon (interest) rate, their tax status, and their callability. Several types of risks associated with bonds include interest rate risk, credit/default risk, and prepayment risk. Most bonds come with ratings that describe their investment grade.

The 5.27% composite rate for I bonds issued from November 2023 through April 2024 applies for the first six months after the issue date. The composite rate combines a 1.30% fixed rate of return with the 3.94% annualized rate of inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers (CPI-U).

Cons of Buying I Bonds

I bonds are meant for longer-term investors. If you don't hold on to your I bond for a full year, you will not receive any interest. You must create an account at TreasuryDirect to buy I bonds; they cannot be purchased through your custodian, online investment account, or local bank.

You'll likely want to time your cash-out for three months after your I-Bond's reset date so that the three months' interest you lose are of the new lower rate, not the higher rate you were happier with. To accomplish that, you should hold your I-Bond for at least 15 months.

The September I Bond composite rate is 4.28% (US Treasury) which is 2.14% earned over 6 months. The September 2024 I Bond Fixed Rate is 1.30%. The November 2024 I Bond composite rate is projected to go below 3%!

Most bond investors are in it for the long haul, meaning for the term of the bond, but there are several good reasons for selling bonds before they mature. They include: Selling bonds because interest rates are about to increase, making your existing bonds less valuable.

An expected boost from bond coupons

Bond yields at midyear 2021 were a paltry 0.25% for the 2-year and 1.45% for the 10-year, compared with midyear 2024 yields of 4.71% for the 2-year and 4.36% for the 10-year.

But generally, cash and government bonds—particularly U.S. Treasury securities—are often considered among the safest investment options available. This is because there is minimal risk of loss. That said, it's important to note that no investment is entirely risk-free.

The current composite I bond rate is 4.28%. This includes a 1.30% fixed rate and a 1.48% inflation rate. The current rate applies for six months to bonds purchased between May 1, 2024, and Oct. 31, 2024.

Are Series I taxable? ›

The interest earned by purchasing and holding savings bonds is subject to federal tax at the time the bonds are redeemed.

I savings bonds earn interest monthly. Interest is compounded semiannually, meaning that every 6 months we apply the bond's interest rate to a new principal value. The new principal is the sum of the prior principal and the interest earned in the previous 6 months.

Use the Education Exclusion

You can skip paying taxes on interest earned with Series EE and Series I savings bonds if you're using the money to pay for qualified higher education costs.

For many investors, the Federal income tax rate is higher than the capital gains tax rate. Not allowed in tax-deferred accounts. Because I bonds are limited to taxable accounts, you can't buy them in an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) or 401(k) plan.

Once a Series I bond is five years old, there is no interest penalty for redemption. Question: Can you determine what the value of a Series I bond will be in future years? inflation rate can vary. You can count on a Series I bond to hold its value; that is, the bond's redemption value will not decline.

You can cash in (redeem) your I bond after 12 months. However, if you cash in the bond in less than 5 years, you lose the last 3 months of interest. For example, if you cash in the bond after 18 months, you get the first 15 months of interest. See Cash in (redeem) an EE or I savings bond.

Investing in I bonds offers retirees significant tax advantages. The interest earned on I bonds is tax-deferred, meaning you don't have to pay taxes on the interest until you decide to redeem the bonds. This can be a valuable feature, allowing you to postpone tax liability and potentially lower your annual tax bill.

If you want more I bonds, “it's probably a better bet to buy before the end of April and lock in that higher rate for six months,” according to David Enna, founder of Tipswatch.com, a website that tracks Treasury inflation-protected securities, or TIPS, and I bond rates.