The composite rate for I bonds issued from November 2022 through April 2023 is 6.89%.
I-bonds help offset inflation
As of November 2022, you'll earn an interest rate of 6.89 percent. This rate will change again in May 2023. But before diving all in on I-bonds, speak with a financial adviser to understand future I-bond rate predictions and ensure it's a sound personal finance decision for you.
November 1, 2022. Effective today, Series EE savings bonds issued November 2022 through April 2023 will earn an annual fixed rate of 2.10% and Series I savings bonds will earn a composite rate of 6.89%, a portion of which is indexed to inflation every six months.
Treasury Department announces new Series I bond rate of 6.89% for the next six months. Series I bonds, an inflation-protected and nearly risk-free asset, will pay 6.89% through April 2023, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced Tuesday.
When we compare the historical 6-month composite rates against 12-month Treasuries at the time we see that the 6-month I bond rate is an average of 0.31% lower. At an initial rate of 6.89%, buying an I bond in October gets roughly 2.1% more compared to the 4.76% 12-month treasury rate (December 13, 2022).
It's not as strong as the 9.62% rate I bond owners enjoyed from April 2022 until the end of October 2022, but it's tough to find a guaranteed rate approaching 7%, and that's what you'll get for your first 6 months if you buy I Bonds between November 2022 until the end of March 2023.
It has been a long time coming, but 2023 looks to be the year that bonds will be back in fashion with investors. After years of low yields followed by a brutal drop in prices during 2022, returns in the fixed income markets appear poised to rebound.
The basics
The fixed rate of an I Bond will never change. Purchases through April 30, 2023, will have a fixed rate of 0.4%, which means their return will exceed official U.S. inflation by 0.4% until the I Bond is redeemed or matures in 30 years.
The composite rate for I bonds issued from November 2022 through April 2023 is 6.89%.
Effective today, Series EE savings bonds issued May 2022 through October 2022 will earn an annual fixed rate of . 10% and Series I savings bonds will earn a composite rate of 9.62%, a portion of which is indexed to inflation every six months.
1. Most people want to buy in October so they can end up with an interest rate of about 8% over 12 months, after combining the 9.62% rate for the first six months and what's expected to be the new 6.48% annualized rate for the next six months.
I Bond Cons
The initial rate is only guaranteed for the first six months of ownership. After that, the rate can fall, even to zero. One-year lockup. You can't get your money back at all the first year, so you shouldn't invest any funds you'll absolutely need anytime soon.
People who were able to purchase I bonds before Oct. 28, 2022 will get the 9.62% rate on those I bonds until April 2023. The lag in interest rates lets you earn money for six months on an inflation rate from several months ago.
Inflation sucks, but there is one upside: It's still a great time to buy a government-backed I bond. Series I savings bonds are conservative, safe investments that rise and fall with inflation, and they're earning far more than the best high-yield savings account or certificate of deposit.
I bonds can be a safe immediate-term savings vehicle, especially in inflationary times. I bonds offer benefits such as the security of being backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, state and local tax-exemptions and federal tax exemptions when used to fund educational expenses.
Backed by the U.S. government, I bonds don't lose value and earn monthly interest with two parts: a fixed rate and a variable rate. The fixed rate may change every six months for new purchases but stays the same after buying, and the variable rate shifts every six months based on inflation.
Paper Series I savings bonds may be purchased only with your IRS tax refund. For these bonds, the purchase limit per calendar year is: $5,000.
A given Social Security Number or Employer Identification Number can buy up to these amounts in savings bonds each calendar year: $10,000 in electronic EE bonds. $10,000 in electronic I bonds. $5,000 in paper I bonds that you can buy when you file federal tax forms.
The reason why I bonds have boasted such attractive rates lately is because they are pegged to inflation, hence the “I” in I bonds. When setting new rates every six months, the Treasury Department factors in the latest inflation data.
In the past 12 months alone, the Fed has hiked rates seven times to combat rising inflation. As of December 2022, the federal funds rate is 3.83%. However, the FOMC predicts that it could continue to rise and peak at around 4.9% in 2023.
If you're looking to diversify your portfolio amid the sluggish stock market right now, you might consider Series I bonds as a safe long-term investment with a reliable return. For most people, long-term investing in low-cost index funds is the best path toward financial independence.
Normally, you're limited to purchasing $10,000 per person on electronic Series I bonds per year. However, the government allows those with a federal tax refund to invest up to $5,000 of that refund into paper I bonds. So most investors think their annual investment tops out at $15,000.
Series I bonds are sold at face value and mature after 30 years. Interest is added monthly to the bond's value. Series HH bonds mature in 20 years. Bondholders receive monthly interest payments until they sell the bond or it reaches its maturity.
of a fixed rate and an inflation rate. The fixed rate stays the same for the life of the bond. The inflation rate can change every six months from the issue date of the bond.
If you purchase an I bond anytime from May to Oct. 31, you'll get an annualized 9.62% return for the first six months—that's pretty impressive.