Are I bonds better than CDS?
Key Takeaways. If you're investing for the long term, a
CDs have more choices for relatively short-term investments, ranging from a few months to five years. If you have a short-term goal, you can't access your funds in an I bond for at least a year. But you'll also risk losing three months of interest if you withdraw funds in the first five years.
I bond cons
The initial rate is only guaranteed for the first six months of ownership. After that, the rate can fall, down to a fixed-rate component which, as of November 1, 2023, stood at 1.3%. One-year lockup.
Risk tolerance
While both CDs and bonds are generally safe investments, both carry their own risk factors. CDs face inflation risk, while bonds face interest rate risk. Investing in a mixture of both can help hedge your investments. You may see greater returns with high-yield bonds if you're more risk-tolerant.
I bonds issued from Nov. 1, 2023, to April 30, 2024, have a composite rate of 5.27%. That includes a 1.30% fixed rate and a 1.97% inflation rate. Because I bonds are fully backed by the U.S. government, they are considered a relatively safe investment.
Another advantage is that TIPS make regular, semiannual interest payments, whereas I Bond investors only receive their accrued income when they sell. That makes TIPS preferable to I Bonds for those seeking current income.
The interest earned by purchasing and holding savings bonds is subject to federal tax at the time the bonds are redeemed. However, interest earned on savings bonds is not taxable at the state or local level.
“The $10,000 limit is per entity, not per person,” says Parker. “You can have as many entities as you want.” That is, if you have a business, that business can also purchase Series I bonds up to the $10,000 annual limit. That works if you're running a sole proprietorship or even a side hustle.
You can cash in (redeem) your I bond after 12 months. However, if you cash in the bond in less than 5 years, you lose the last 3 months of interest.
| Face Value | Purchase Amount | 30-Year Value (Purchased May 1990) |
|---|---|---|
| $50 Bond | $100 | $207.36 |
| $100 Bond | $200 | $414.72 |
| $500 Bond | $400 | $1,036.80 |
| $1,000 Bond | $800 | $2,073.60 |
Will CD rates go up in 2024?
Currently, national average rates for a 1-year CD sit at 1.86% APY, up from 0.15% APY in April 2022. But with no change to rates since December 2023, it doesn't appear rates will continue to go up, at least significantly.
CDs are considered risk free because their deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC). Bonds are relatively risky and therefore usually pay higher interest than CDs. CDs are relatively short-term investments, while bonds usually have longer terms.
CD interest is subject to ordinary income tax, like other money that you earn. The IRS requires investors to pay taxes on CD interest income. The bank or financial institution that holds the CD is required to send you a Form 1099-INT by January 31.
The composite rate for I bonds issued from November 2023 through April 2024 is 5.27%.
I bonds issued from November 2023 through April 2024 have a guaranteed 5.27% yield. There are some good reasons to buy I bonds, such as to protect your money from inflation. However, there are some drawbacks to take into consideration first, including the withdrawal restrictions.
Securities purchased through TreasuryDirect cannot be sold in the secondary market before they mature. This lack of liquidity could be a disadvantage for investors who may need to access their investment capital before the securities' maturity.
EE Bond and I Bond Differences
The interest rate on EE bonds is fixed for at least the first 20 years, while I bonds offer rates that are adjusted twice a year to protect from inflation. EE bonds offer a guaranteed return that doubles your investment if held for 20 years. There is no guaranteed return with I bonds.
- High-yield savings accounts.
- Certificates of deposit (CDs)
- Bonds.
- Funds.
- Stocks.
- Alternative investments and cryptocurrencies.
- Real estate.
Bottom line. I bonds, with their inflation-adjusted return, safeguard the investor's purchasing power during periods of high inflation. On the other hand, EE Bonds offer predictable returns with a fixed-interest rate and a guaranteed doubling of value if held for 20 years.
If a financial institution pays the bond, you get a 1099-INT from that financial institution either soon after you cash your bond or by January 31 of the following year. If your bonds are in your TreasuryDirect account, your 1099-INT is available in your account by January 31 of the following year.
How long does it take for I bonds to mature?
Interest accrues monthly and is compounded semiannually. SERIES I BONDS ISSUED SEPTEMBER 1998 AND THEREAFTER All Series I bonds reach final maturity 30 years from issue. Series I savings bonds earn interest through application of a composite rate.
If you invest in TreasuryDirect, your 1099 will be available electronically and you can print the form from your account. 1099 forms are available by January 31 of each tax year.
Once a Series I bond is five years old, there is no interest penalty for redemption. Question: Can you determine what the value of a Series I bond will be in future years? inflation rate can vary. You can count on a Series I bond to hold its value; that is, the bond's redemption value will not decline.
You can cash in electronic bonds online with TreasuryDirect, which will send the cash from the bond to your savings or checking account within two business days.
Your I bond yield adjusts every six months based on your purchase date, not the U.S. Department of the Treasury's rate adjustment. And you won't earn interest for the current month until the next one begins.
