Buying U.S. Savings Bonds

Where can I buy Paper Savings Bonds?

EFFECTIVE: 1/1/2012  You can no longer purchase paper EE Savings Bonds or I Savings Bonds at a local bank, financial institution or credit union. As of 1/1/2012, the Treasury Department started issuing electronic savings bonds only. Note: The Treasury Dept. will still issue paper savings bonds if you are Replacing Lost Bonds or Changing a Beneficiary/Co-Owner Name. See the current savings bond rates for bonds available for purchase.

Where can I buy Electronic Savings Bonds?

Since the Treasury Department stopped issuing new paper savings bonds as of 1/1/2012, you have to buy electronic savings bonds through the TreasuryDirect instead (click here to learn more). See the current savings bond rates for bonds available for purchase.

Buying Paper Bonds Online - discontinued

In 2002, the Treasury Department discontinued the ability to purchase US Savings Bonds online with a credit card. As of 1/1/2012, the Treasury Dept. stopped issuing new paper savings bonds. Now you must purchase new savings bonds in electronic form through the TreasuryDirect.

What Bond Types are Currently Available for Purchase?

US Savings Bonds currently available for purchase are the EE Savings Bond and the I Savings Bond. Not sure which US Savings Bond is the right choice for you? Read our information on the comparing EE Savings Bonds to I Savings Bonds.

Buying via Payroll Savings Plan

The Payroll Savings Plan, offered by the U.S. Treasury's Bureau of the Public Debt and administered by the Federal Reserve, provides an employee benefit for any size organization.

The Payroll Savings Plan allows employees to purchase Savings Bonds in ranging denominations for Series I bonds and Series EE bonds. The program can complement an existing investment plan, such as a 401K, or can serve as a stand-alone savings vehicle. The program is inexpensive and easy for an organization to administer.

More than 40,000 employers have incorporated the Payroll Savings Plan into their normal payroll procedures and have found the program requires little time and effort to maintain.

To initiate the program, each participating employee signs an authorization card designating the amount to be deducted each pay period for the purchase of Savings Bonds and providing bond ownership information. At the end of each pay period, Savings Bonds are purchased for employees who have accumulated the purchase price. The purchase price also can be accrued by the deduction of small amounts over time.

The order and payment are then submitted to the Federal Reserve, which processes the orders and issues the bonds. This process continues until an employee gives written notice to cancel the arrangement or leaves your employment.

How Do I enroll in the Payroll Savings Plan? You must first contact your company's Human Resources or Payroll department to see if your company participates in this plan. If they do, they will have the proper forms to sign you up.

If you are an Employer looking to start the Payroll Savings Plan - you can start by learning more at the Government's US Savings Bond Payroll Plan site at TreasuryDirect.

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