Add all your EE bonds, then see the optimal cash-in window for each β 20-year doubling dates, 6-month interest credits, penalty warnings, and final maturity alerts.
β Add a Bond
No bonds added yet. Fill in the form above and click Add Bond.
Your redemption schedule will appear here after you add bonds and click Calculate Schedule.
Enter the issue month/year, face value (the amount printed on the bond β for electronic bonds this is also your purchase price), and the fixed annual interest rate shown on your TreasuryDirect account or paper bond. If you have a post-May 2005 electronic bond and aren't sure of the rate, log in to TreasuryDirect.gov and find the rate in your bond details.
Add each bond using the form β nickname it so you can identify it.
Click Calculate Schedule to see values and timing for every bond.
Review the ranked schedule β bonds marked Final Maturity Passed should be redeemed immediately; they have stopped earning interest.
For bonds still accruing, look at the Next Best Window column β redeem during or after that month to capture a full 6-month interest credit.
Print or export your schedule for reference.
When and Why to Use This Planner
If you (or a family member) hold more than one EE bond β perhaps given as gifts over several years β managing redemption timing manually across many bonds is easy to get wrong. Two key rules make timing matter:
The 5-year penalty: Redeeming before 5 years from issue means losing the last 3 months of interest β not catastrophic, but avoidable.
The 6-month interest cycle: EE bond interest compounds every six months from the issue month. Redeeming even one day before a 6-month anniversary means losing up to nearly six months of accrued interest that was about to credit.
The 20-year doubling guarantee: The Treasury guarantees the bond doubles in value at 20 years. For bonds with a low fixed rate (e.g., 0.10%), this is a significant one-time "top-up" you should never miss.
The 30-year stop: After 30 years, the bond earns nothing more. Bonds past this date should be cashed immediately.
Formula & Method
For post-May 2005 bonds with a fixed rate r (annual) and purchase price P:
Interest accrues monthly and compounds semiannually (CFR 31 Β§ 351.35 and TreasuryDirect).
Value after k complete 6-month periods: V = P Γ (1 + r/2)k where k = floor(months held Γ· 6).
If redeemed before 5 years: the value is calculated as if held 3 months fewer (3-month penalty; value never drops below P).
At 20 years: if the compounded value < 2 Γ P, Treasury adjusts it to 2 Γ P in one step.
After 20 years through 30 years: continues at the same fixed rate.
After 30 years: value is frozen at the value on the 30-year anniversary.
Note: This tool models post-May 2005 fixed-rate electronic bonds accurately. For bonds issued May 1997βApril 2005 (variable rate), the tool estimates value using the entered rate as a proxy; actual values vary as Treasury adjusts the rate every six months. Use TreasuryDirect's official Savings Bond Calculator for definitive current values on older variable-rate bonds.
What happens if I redeem an EE bond before 5 years?
If you cash a Series EE bond issued on or after May 1, 2005, within the first five years, the Treasury applies a 3-month interest penalty β your redemption value is calculated as if you held the bond for three months fewer than you actually did. The value will never drop below your original purchase price. After the 5-year mark, there is no penalty. Source: TreasuryDirect.gov and 31 CFR Β§ 351.35.
Why does timing within a 6-month window matter?
EE bond interest accrues each month but only compounds (is credited to the bond's value) at 6-month intervals from the issue month. If your bond was issued in March, interest credits every September and March. If you redeem in August β one month before the September credit β you lose nearly 6 months of accumulated interest that was about to be added. Always redeem in or after the 6-month anniversary month to capture a full credit period.
What is the 20-year doubling guarantee and why is it important?
The U.S. Treasury guarantees that every EE bond purchased today will be worth at least twice its purchase price at exactly 20 years from issue, even if the fixed interest rate would not have compounded to that amount on its own. For bonds with very low rates (e.g., 0.10%, which was common from 2012β2021), this "one-time adjustment" can add hundreds of dollars in a single month. Missing this date by even a day won't cost you β but cashing out at year 18 or 19 will mean you miss the entire doubling guarantee.
What is the 30-year final maturity, and what do I do if my bond is past it?
EE bonds stop earning interest exactly 30 years after their issue date. A bond issued in June 1994 stopped earning interest in June 2024. After that date the bond's value is permanently frozen β it earns nothing more. If any of your bonds have passed 30 years, redeem them immediately at a bank or through TreasuryDirect; every additional day is an opportunity cost.
How do I find the interest rate on my EE bonds?
For electronic bonds held at TreasuryDirect.gov, log in and view the bond details β the current rate is listed. For post-May 2005 bonds, this rate is fixed for the life of the bond. For paper EE bonds, you can look up the rate using TreasuryDirect's Savings Bond Calculator or their historical rate tables. The rate announced each May 1 and November 1 applies to all bonds purchased in the following 6 months.
What is the annual purchase limit for EE bonds?
In 2026, you can purchase up to $10,000 per year in electronic Series EE bonds through TreasuryDirect per Social Security Number. This limit is separate from the $10,000 per year limit on Series I bonds β you can max out both in the same year. Paper EE bonds are no longer available for purchase (last sold through January 2012).
Are EE bond earnings taxable?
EE bond interest is subject to federal income tax but is exempt from all state and local taxes. You can defer reporting the interest until you redeem the bond, it reaches final maturity, or you otherwise dispose of it (cash method). If proceeds are used for qualified higher education expenses and you meet income limits, the interest may be partially or fully excludable from federal tax β check IRS Publication 970 for current rules. This tool does not provide tax advice; consult a tax professional for your situation.