RATE WATCH
Inflation Shield Notes
Why the rate moves and what the fixed part means.
INFLATION GUIDE
Series I Bonds Made Clear
Read current rates, tax notes, and simple ways to fit I Bonds into a safe cash plan.
FROM THE JOURNAL
Featured I Bond Reads
Why the rate moves and what the fixed part means.
TAX TIPS
Tax Filing Notes
BASICS
Buy One Bond
01SAFE CASH
Retirement Cash Slice
Use I Bonds as one part of a calm money bucket.
02COMPARE
Bond vs CD Chart
Compare yield, access, and tax rules in one view.
03TRENDS
Current I Bond Rate
See the latest rate and the inflation part that drives it.
PLAN
Ladder Plans
PLAN
START HERE
Series I Bond Guidebook
Plain steps for rates, taxes, and holding limits.
TOPICS
Read by topic
How federal tax rules work and what state taxes miss.
GUIDE
Tax Filing Rules
How federal tax rules work and what state taxes miss.
TIPS
Laddering Cash
Set buys over time so new money meets changing rates.
GUIDE
Retirement Mix
Simple ways to size I Bonds in a cash-heavy plan.
I finally understood how the rate is set and when I Bonds fit my cash plan.
Mara Ellison, retired teacher
Guide sections
6
Guide sections
Bond compare tools
12
Bond compare tools
Reader rating
4.8/5
Reader rating
Community
Customer notes
Verified
“I finally understood how the rate is set and when I Bonds fit my cash plan.”
M
Mara Ellison
Retired teacher
Verified
“The tax page saved me from guessing on my 1040 and state return.”
J
Jonah Price
CPA
Verified
“Short charts made it easy to compare I Bonds with CDs and T-bills.”
L
Leah Bennett
Family office analyst
SPOTLIGHT
Tools and Charts
Federal tax rules for savings bonds in one glance.
Quick look
Bond Tax Chart
Federal tax rules for savings bonds in one glance.
02Plan view
I Bond Ladder
Spread buys across the year with steady cash needs in mind.
03Side by side
Treasury vs CDs
Compare yield, access, and tax rules before you buy.
Cash plan
Retirement Cash
Use I Bonds as a small, steady slice of a safe bucket.
05How it works
Gift Bond Rules
Know the steps before you buy for someone else.
06Limits
Purchase Limits
See the annual caps and household limits in one place.
07Rate data
Inflation Notes
Read how CPI data moves the rate each reset.
Questions
I Bond FAQs
Quick answers before visitors choose a product, service, or next step.
01What is a Series I bond?+
A Series I bond is a U.S. savings bond that pays a fixed rate plus an inflation rate that resets twice a year.
02How often does the rate change?+
The inflation part changes every May and November. The fixed rate stays in place for the life of each bond.
03Are I Bonds taxed by states?+
No state or local tax applies. Federal tax is due when you cash out or when the bond matures in most cases.
04How long must I hold one?+
You must keep an I Bond for at least one year, and you lose three months of interest if you cash out before five years.
05Can I build a ladder?+
Yes. Many savers spread buys over time so each bond reaches its one-year mark and resets on different dates.
06Do I Bonds fit retirement cash?+
They can fit a safe bucket for near-term spending, but they should sit beside cash, CDs, and short bonds in a mix.
Get Rate Notes
Get short email notes on new rates, tax changes, and simple ways to use I Bonds without getting lost in the details.