How to Calculate the Value of Paper Savings Bonds

Paper savings bonds earn interest every month.

Series EE savings bonds are savings certificates issued by the U.S. Treasury. Savings bonds are issued in both electronic and paper form. Paper bonds are sold for one-half the face value. Savings bonds accrue interest every month and compound every six months. The current value of any bond can be obtained from the U.S. Treasury website.

Things You'll Need

• Savings bond serial numbers
• Savings bond face amounts
• Savings bond issue dates

Instructions

1. Select the "Tools" menu under the "Individual" section of the Treasury Direct website. The "Tools" section gives several ways to find the value of savings bonds.

2. Select "Savings Bond Calculator" at the top of the left side menu of the "Tools" page. The link takes you to the directions for the calculator. Select "Get Started" in the first list of bullet items or at the bottom of the page.

3. Enter the savings bond issue date, serial number and denomination in the labeled boxes of the calculator web page. The serial number is in the lower right hand corner of the bond.

4. Select calculate and the current value of the bond will be provided. The screen will show the purchase price of the bond, the total value, total interest earned and interest earned year-to-date.

Tips & Warnings

• A savings bond value can be calculated without the serial number. Just enter the denomination amount and month and year of issue.

• The "Help" button in the upper right corner of the calculator will give directions for the different possible entries on the calculator.

• The Treasury Direct website allows you to save information on a portfolio of savings bonds and look up the current value at any time.

• Savings bonds cannot be cashed in for one year after purchase. There is a three-month interest penalty for redemption in the first five years.

References

• Treasury Direct: Series EE Savings Bonds
• Treasury Direct: Tools