I-BOND: U.S. Government Savings Bonds

A comprehensive guide to Series I Bonds, including definitions, types, examples, and applications.

An I-Bond, formally known as a Series I Savings Bond, is a non-marketable security issued by the U.S. Treasury. These bonds are designed to offer a safe investment that protects against inflation by combining a fixed interest rate with a variable inflation rate.

Types of I-Bonds

I-Bonds come in electronic and paper formats:

Electronic I-Bonds

• Purchasable online through the TreasuryDirect website.
• Minimum purchase amount is $25.
• Maximum purchase limit per calendar year is $10,000.

Paper I-Bonds

• Purchasable with tax refunds via IRS Form 8888.
• Minimum purchase amount is $50.
• Maximum purchase limit per calendar year is $5,000.

Interest Rates of I-Bonds

I-Bonds earn interest via a composite rate comprised of:

• Fixed Rate determined at issuance and remains constant.
• Inflation Rate adjusted every six months based on changes in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U).

$$ \text{Composite Rate} = \text{Fixed Rate} + (2 \times \text{Semiannual Inflation Rate}) + (\text{Fixed Rate} \times \text{Semiannual Inflation Rate}) $$

Special Considerations

Tax Benefits

• Tax deferral: Interest income can be deferred until redemption or maturity.
• Exemption from state and local taxes: Interest is subject only to federal taxes.
• Education Tax Exclusion: Qualified educational expenses may exempt interest from federal taxes.

Redemption Rules

• Early Redemption: Permitted after 12 months with a penalty of the last three months’ interest if redeemed before five years.
• Minimum Holding Period: One year.

Applicability

• Generally, considered safe investments suitable for conservative investors looking to protect against inflation.
• Popular for long-term financial needs, such as education funding.

Historical Context

Series I Bonds were first introduced in 1998 to address the dual needs of risk-free investment and inflation protection. They differ from Series EE Bonds primarily due to their inflation-linked interest component.

Comparisons with Other Bonds

Series EE Bonds

• Offer fixed interest rates for 20 years.
• Can be purchased at half their face value (paper form).

Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS)

• Principal adjusts with inflation.
• Available in more substantial denominations and are marketable.

Related Terms

• TreasuryDirect: U.S. government website for purchasing savings bonds.
• CPI-U: Consumer Price Index metric used to measure inflation.

FAQs

Q: Can I lose money on an I-Bond?

A: No, I-Bonds are designed to preserve their value and protect against inflation.

Q: What happens if inflation is zero or negative?

A: The composite rate could be lower but will never go below zero, ensuring no loss of principal value.

Q: How can I purchase I-Bonds?

A: Electronic I-Bonds can be bought via TreasuryDirect, and paper I-Bonds can be acquired through federal tax refunds.

References

1. U.S. Department of the Treasury. (n.d.). Series I Savings Bonds. TreasuryDirect. Retrieved from TreasuryDirect.

2. Internal Revenue Service (IRS). (n.d.). Form 8888 - Allocation of Refund (Including Savings Bond Purchases). IRS.gov. Retrieved from IRS.

Summary

I-Bonds provide U.S. citizens with a risk-free, inflation-protected investment vehicle. With dual components of fixed and inflation rates, they ensure value preservation and are subject to favorable tax treatments, making them a solid choice for conservative investors and those saving for future educational expenses.