For retirees, I bonds represent a robust portfolio option in 2023 – and savvy investors know it. Take the March 2023 I bond composite rate, which stands at 6.89%. That's a good and safe return for retirement investors, who know only too well that capital preservation is the name of the game in retirement.
Key Points. The variable rate on I bonds will drop in May. Those who want short-term returns might prefer to buy I bonds in April to lock in higher rates. Long-term investors might be better served by waiting.
Although the composite rate for I bonds recently lowered in May, it's still a worthwhile investment. Experts had predicted that the rate would decline when the US Treasury reset bond rates. (In late April 2023, the composite rate for I bonds came in at a generous 6.89%.)
The May 2023 I Bond inflation rate is announced at 3.38%* based on the March 2023 CPI-U data.
Key Points. Pros: I bonds come with a high interest rate during inflationary periods, they're low-risk, and they help protect against inflation. Cons: Rates are variable, there's a lockup period and early withdrawal penalty, and there's a limit to how much you can invest.
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.
I bonds issued from May 1, 2023, to Oct. 31, 2023, have a composite rate of 4.30%. That includes a 0.90% fixed rate and a 1.69% inflation rate. Because I bonds are fully backed by the U.S. government, they are considered a relatively safe investment.
The 4.30% composite rate for I bonds issued from May 2023 through October 2023 applies for the first six months after the issue date. The composite rate combines a 0.90% fixed rate of return with the 3.38% annualized rate of inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers (CPI-U).
Waiting until May or June would cause you to lose out on the high rates that you can get through April 27. Buying an I Bond before April 27 means you could end up with an annualized rate of around 5.34% for the first 12 months. With compounding it would inch up, closer to 5.39%.
Buy Bonds during a Market Crash
Government bonds are generally considered the safest investment, though they are decidedly unsexy and usually offer meager returns compared to stocks and even other bonds.
Individuals, organizations, fiduciaries, and corporate investors may buy Treasury securities through a bank, broker, or dealer.
Buying before the end of April gets a saver the 0.4% fixed rate for the life of the bond, which is a plus for many savers.
Interest on I bonds is exempt from state and local income taxes and, if you qualify, from federal income tax when used to pay for higher education. You can buy up to $10,000 in electronic I bonds per person in a calendar year, with an online account at TreasuryDirect.gov.
I savings bonds earn interest monthly. Interest is compounded semiannually, meaning that every 6 months we apply the bond's interest rate to a new principal value.
You can receive years of “extra” interest by holding the bond beyond the maturity date, but once 30 years have passed, you won't accrue any extra interest. If you want full value, you should hold the Series EE bonds at least until maturity, and if you want extra, you can hold them until 30 years.
While there's no limit on how often you can buy I bonds, there is a limit on how much a given Social Security number can purchase annually. Here are the annual limits: Up to $10,000 in I bonds annually online. Up to $5,000 in paper I bonds with money from a tax refund.
Current Refinance Rates for June 2023
30-year fixed: 7.23% 15-year fixed: 6.67% 30-year jumbo: 7.23%
The composite rate for Series I Savings Bonds is a combination of a fixed rate, which applies for the 30-year life of the bond, and the semiannual inflation rate. The 6.89% composite rate for I bonds bought from November 2022 through April 2023 applies for the first six months after the issue date.
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.
The Outlook for Bonds in 2023
One factor in bonds' favor is that bond yields are now at a level that can help retirees seeking income support a 4% retirement withdrawal rate. Beyond this, both individual bonds and bond funds could benefit if interest rates stabilize or decline.
Both Treasury-Inflation Protection Securities (TIPS) and Series I Savings Bonds adjust for inflation.
Bonds can lose money too
You can lose money on a bond if you sell it before the maturity date for less than you paid or if the issuer defaults on their payments. Before you invest. Often involves risk.
TreasuryDirect.gov is the one and only place to electronically buy and redeem U.S. Savings Bonds. We also offer electronic sales and auctions of other U.S.-backed investments to the general public, financial professionals, and state and local governments.