EEbonds

Terry Says

Well, old bonds  could be quite valuable if they are still earning interest -- likely at much higher rates than you could get in a bank today.  So don't cash them in early, unless you absolutely need the money -- if they are still accruing interest. The way to find out if your bonds are still earning interest and what they are currently worth is to go to the calculator on the government's TreasuryDirect.gov website.  (I've highlighted a link directly to the calculator.)  The old Series EE bonds earned interest for 30 years. Then you need to know that unless you have paid taxes on the interest earned on your savings bonds over the years, the interest will all be added to your ordinary income in the year you cash them in.  And you must declare that interest and cash them in the year they mature!  Beware, because that could put you in a higher tax bracket, or even cause you to pay higher Medicare premiums!