Series I Bond Definition

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It is a secure investment offering a reasonable return and a hedge against inflationInflationThe rise in prices of goods and services is referred to as inflation. One of the measures of inflation is the consumer price index (CPI). Rate of inflation = (CPIx+1–CPIx )/CPIx. Where CPIx is the consumer price index of the initial year, CPIx+1 is the consumer price index of the following year.read more. With government guarantee and state tax exemptionsTax ExemptionsTax-exempt refers to excluding an individual’s or corporation’s income, property or transaction from the tax liability imposed by the federal, local or state government. These exemptions either allow total relief from the taxes or provide reduced rates or charge tax on some items only.read more, the bond is a safe haven for investors with a low-risk appetite. It may be used to sponsor education, support retirement earnings, or relish tax reliefs. The latest I bond is available through April 2022 at an annual interest rateInterest RateAn interest rate formula is used to calculate loan repayment amounts as well as interest earned on fixed deposits, mutual funds, and other investments. It is also used to calculate credit card interest.read more of 7.12%.

Key Takeaways

  • Series I bond is a US Treasury-issued savings bond with a fixed interest rate and a bi-annually adjusted inflation rate to protect buyers from inflation. Electronic I bonds are available via the Treasury Direct account, while paper bonds are only obtained from the IRS for a tax refund. The prevailing interest rate of I bonds issued during November 2021-April 2022 is 7.12%. Adults, minors, trusts, corporations, estates, partnerships, and other establishments may hold I bonds subject to specific terms and conditions. Both the fixed interest rate and the inflation rate determine the total amount of interest earned on I bonds, generally known as the Composite Rate.

Series I Bond Explained

I Bonds are government-backed debt instruments offering a fixed interest rateFixed Interest RateA fixed interest rate is a constant rate of interest levied on debts like loans, mortgages, or bonds.read more that is adjusted for inflation semi-annually. It provides lifetime security against inflation with a steadfast supply of earned interest. The interest (if any) is monthly added to the bond and is rewarded on redeeming it.

Note that the I bond’s maturity period is 30 years for which you earn interest. These bonds are non-negotiable instruments and cannot be traded on the secondary marketsSecondary MarketsA secondary market is a platform where investors can easily buy or sell securities once issued by the original issuer, be it a bank, corporation, or government entity. Also referred to as an aftermarket, it allows investors to trade securities freely without interference from those who issue them.read more. Being low-risk securities, they offer modest returns. However, since the interest rates are adjusted for inflation, any surge in inflation is likely to drive its rates up.

Of late, the inflationary spike has skyrocketed the interest rates on these bonds. The bonds issued from November 2021 to April 2022 offer an annual interest rate of 7.12% for the initial six months of possession. Later, a new rate will be allotted for the next semester based upon the inflation rate and the fixed rate of this bond. 

The I Bonds are issued in electronic and paper form. They are sold at face value and in denominations of $25 or above (electronic bonds) and $50, $100, $200, $500, and $1000 (paper bonds). You can buy the electronic I bonds from the TreasuryDirect and paper I bonds from the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) in the form of a tax refund.

Since January 1, 2012, the US treasury has discontinued selling paper savings bonds at commercial organizations. Nevertheless, investors can purchase them with an IRS tax refund. Paper bonds are delivered through email, while the TreasuryDirect account holders can promptly buy, control, and retrieve electronic I bond from their web browser.

You can buy a maximum of $10,000 worth of electronic bonds and $5000 paper bonds per calendar year. Remember to must hold them at least for a year before redeeming. However, you may lose the last quarter interest if you cash them before five years.

The I bond enjoys state and local tax exemptions, excluding inheritance or estate taxesEstate TaxesEstate tax refers to the tax on the privilege, allowing owners to exercise the right to transfer their property to legal heirs after they die or under other circumstances as per the law.read more. However, you are liable to pay federal income taxFederal Income TaxFederal income tax is the tax system in the United States and is levied and governed by Internal Revenue Services (IRS). It helps determine the tax charged on the income earned by individuals, corporations, and various other legal entities.read more on the interest earnings, except if used for funding education. 

Who Can Buy the Series I Bond?

Minors, adult individuals, and other organizations may purchase the electronic and paper bond subject to definite terms and conditions. Both adults and children under the age of 18 must have a TreasuryDirect account with:

  • A valid Social Security NumberUS citizenship/ US residency/ Civilian employee status of the US

Note that minors cannot open the TreasuryDirect account or manage any business proceedings. Nonetheless, an adult guardian may open their account linked to their own and handle the dealings. 

Trusts, estates, partnerships, corporations, and other entities with a valid TreasuryDirect account can have the electronic I bond. Howbeit, only trusts, and estates may have paper bonds in some cases. 

Series I Bond Calculations

The interest rate on the I bond is a composition of two rates, thus usually called Composite Rate or Overall Rate. 

  • Fixed interest rate – It is a set annual rate that remains the same throughout the bond’s lifespan. The US treasury determines the bond interest rate every six months, i.e., the first business day in May and November. It applies to all I bonds issued throughout the next semester. It remains unchanged.Inflation rate – This biannual rate fluctuates according to the Consumer Price IndexConsumer Price IndexThe Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a measure of the average price of a basket of regularly used consumer commodities compared to a base year. The CPI for the base year is 100, and this is the benchmark  point.read more modifications for all urban consumers (CPI-U). The Bureau of the Fiscal Service reports the CPI-U-based rates each May and November. The rates usually change every semester.

Now, both of these rates are merged, utilizing the below-mentioned equation. 

Composite Rate = [Fixed interest rate + (2 x bi-annual inflation rate) + (Fixed interest rate x bi-annual inflation rate)]

Note that the composite rate won’t ever be less than zero. It can be lesser than the set rate. In case of a negative inflation rate, it can nullify some of the set rates (not lower than zero). 

Example

Let’s understand the composite rate calculation through an example. Suppose,

Fixed interest rate = 0.10%

Biannual inflation rate = 2.56%

So, Composite Rate = [0.001+ (2×0.0256) + (0.001×0.0256)]

                                 = 0.001+0.0512+0.0000256

                                 = 0.052256

                                 = 0.0523

                                 = 5.23%

The latest Forbes article explains how US series I bonds are paying more than 7% interest. The interest rates on these bonds hovered in the range of 1.06% to 2.53% over the last decade, but inflation has propelled the interest rate to an all-time high of 7.12%. Therefore, they have become the toast of the town. The article reports that the purchases made in November 2021 ($1.07 billion) have well surpassed the buyings in fiscal 2020 or fiscal 2021.

This has been a guide to Series I Bond and its Definition. Here we explain the US Series I Savings Bond along with its value, maturity period, & calculations. You can learn more from the following articles – 

A – No, the value of the I bond will always be larger than the invested amount. The interest rate can’t go below zero, and the saving bond’s redemption value can’t decrease.

A – No, there is no such deadline. Buyers can cash the savings bond anytime, even after the maturity date was passed a long time ago. Though, they will earn interest only till maturity.

A – The I bond’s value surges on the first day of each month. Also, interest is compounded bi-annually as per the issue date of each bond. So, investors acquire the interest earnings according to the month and year of their bond issuance date.

A – The interest rate of an I bond is computed by combining two rates, i.e., Fixed interest and Inflation rate, as per the below-mentioned formula. Composite Rate = [Fixed interest rate + (2 x bi-annual inflation rate) + (Fixed interest rate x bi-annual inflation rate)]

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