How to Cash EE Savings Bonds

How to Cash EE Savings Bonds:

E Series and EE Savings Bonds are owned by many people in the country. Older Bonds are in paper format and recent bonds in electronic format. If you also have some old EE Bonds then you have reached the right place. Here we will guide you about how to cash EE savings bonds at nearby bank or financial institution.

There are many banks and financial institutions that accept EE Savings Bonds. So firstly you should visit the bank where you have your savings account. If your bank does not redeem EE Savings Bonds then the next steps is to find out the bank or F.I. that allow you to cash your EE Savings Bonds.

What are EE Savings Bonds?

E and EE Series Savings Bonds were issued to offer long term investment to general public. Many people have invested their money by buying E/EE Savings Bonds in 1980s and 1990s. Now their children are young and they want to redeem and cash the EE Savings Bonds.

Format of EE Savings Bonds

The E Series and EE Savings Bonds issued earlier, were all in paper format. But the recent EE Bonds are available in electronic format. The fixed interest rate is applied for EE Savings Bonds from 2005. Before the year 2005, EE Bonds used to have a variable rate of interest.

Present Value of EE Savings Bonds

People used to buy E or EE Bonds to create a long term saving. That is why they just buy the EE Savings Bonds and keep them for many years. Because the bonds start earning interest from the date of purchase and keep earning up to 30 years. So the EE Savings Bonds have much higher value at present than its original price.

When can I redeem or cash my EE Savings Bonds?

You can cash your EE Savings Bonds at anytime after twelve (12) months of purchase.

You are allowed to cash the EE Savings Bonds after 12 months, but it is not advisable because of following reasons.

• EE Savings Bonds earn interest generally up to 30 years from the date of purchase. So you will lose the interest earning of many years by early redemption of EE Bonds.
• If you redeem/cash your EE Bonds before completion of five years, the bank will cut last three months’ interest. So it will cause you interest loss on investment.
• In case you are affected by a Disaster, you are eligible to cash your EE Savings Bonds with special provisions applied.
• All E Series Bonds have stopped earning interest, so they must be redeemed and cashed at the earliest.
• Some EE Savings Bonds have also stopped earning interest, so you should cash them now.

Interest on EE Savings Bonds

As you know, old EE Savings Bonds have variable interest rate and new bonds have fixed interest rate. So you will earn interest on your EE Savings Bonds as per rules mentioned in your bond agreement.

Places to Cash E and EE Savings Bonds

First of all, you should visit the bank where you have a savings or any other type of account. You should consult the bank executive/officer to redeem your EE Savings Bonds. Most US banks provide bonds redemption service to their customers. In case your bank does not give such service then you have to find other bank or financial institution which can help you cash your EE Savings Bonds.

Documents Required to Cash EE Savings Bonds

In order to cash the EE Savings Bonds at Bank, you must bring following documents with yourself. If your documents are authentic, only then the bank will redeem and cash your EE Savings Bonds.

• EE Savings Bonds in Original.
• A Valid Proof of Identity as accepted by your bank.
• Proof of Death (Death Certificate) of the Bond Owner if you are the Beneficiary of EE Savings Bonds.

How to Cash EE Savings Bonds

You can cash your EE Savings Bonds at nearby bank or financial institution. Just visit the bank and provide your EE Bonds, ID Proof and other details as asked. After verification of information and documents, your bonds will be redeemed and the bank will pay you respective amount. If they don’t have that service then you can also redeem your EE Savings Bonds on TreasuryDirect Website. If you have EE Bonds in paper format then the offline procedure is applicable.

Steps to Cash EE Savings Bonds at TreasuryDirect Website:

Kindly follow the simple steps given below to cash your EE Savings Bonds at TreasuryDirect Website.

1. Visit TreasuryDirect Official Website at www.treasurydirect.gov.
2. Follow the instructions given by Treasury Retail Securities for redemption of EE Savings Bonds.
3. Complete the steps by step procedure to cash your EE Savings Bonds.
4. You will receive the eligible amount of EE Savings Bonds into your Checking or Savings Bank Account.

Procedure to Cash EE Savings Bonds in Paper Format:

When you have EE Savings Bonds in old paper format, you need to follow the offline procedure. You have to send your paper EE bonds via mail to the address of Treasury Retail Securities Service. The organization will check your EE Savings Bonds and accept them. You will receive cash for your EE Savings Bonds within prescribed time limit.

EE Savings Bonds Mailing Address

Treasury Retail Securities Services,

PO Box 214, Minneapolis,

MN 55480-0214.

Minimum and Maximum Limits to Cash EE Savings Bonds

As a Bonds Holder, you should know about the minimum limit and maximum limit for cashing EE Savings Bonds.

Electronic EE Bonds

In TreasuryDirect Website, you can minimum $25 in one time or any amount which is in 1-cent increments. If you wish to do partial redemption of EE Savings Bonds then you will have to leave at least $25 in TreasuryDirect Account. The TreasuryDirect pays interest only on the cashed amount and not on whole principal amount of EE Savings Bonds.

Paper EE Bonds

There is no specific rule for how much value EE bonds can be redeemed in one transaction. But the banks or financial institution may have different rules that you have to follow. Individual Bonds may not be redeemed in parts, so you have to redeem them in full and get complete amount.

Thus, you have achieved all necessary information about How to Cash EE Savings Bonds and their terms & conditions.