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The Minnesota Savings Bonds E Series is a great way to save for the future, and it's surprisingly easy to cash in and earn. You can cash in your bonds at any time after the minimum 12-month holding period.
To get started, you'll need to have a valid Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number to purchase and cash in the bonds. The minimum purchase is $25, and you can buy up to $10,000 in a calendar year.
The interest on the bonds is compounded semiannually, which means you'll earn interest on the interest already earned. This can add up over time, making your savings grow faster.
Maturities and Redemption
A Series EE savings bond has a fixed maturity period, and its redemption value is determined by its interest earnings, which accrue and become part of the redemption value.
The redemption value of a bond on a given interest accrual date during original maturity will be the higher of the value produced using the applicable guaranteed minimum investment yield or the value produced using the appropriate market-based variable investment yield.
During an extended maturity period, a bond may be subject to one guaranteed minimum investment yield or another such yield, depending on its original maturity period and extended maturity periods.
The redemption value of a bond is determined by its future value (FV) and present value (PV), with the FV being the redemption value on redemption date rounded to the nearest cent, and the PV being the redemption value at the beginning of the semiannual rate period.
Maturities, Redemption Values, and Yields
The redemption value of a Series EE bond is determined by the interest that accrues and becomes part of the redemption value. Interest earnings are payable upon redemption.
The interest rate for a Series EE bond is determined by compiling 5-year Treasury securities yields and calculating the monthly average. This average is then used to determine the savings bond rate.
Interest on a bond accrues and becomes part of the redemption value. This means that the more interest that accrues, the higher the redemption value will be.
The interest rate for a Series EE bond bearing an issue date of May 1, 1995, through April 1, 1997, is the long-term savings bond rate. This rate is used for semiannual earning periods beginning 5 years from the issue date through original maturity.
The redemption value of a bond on a given interest accrual date during original maturity will be the higher of the value produced using the applicable guaranteed minimum investment yield or the value produced using the appropriate market-based variable investment yield.
Payment or Redemption
A Series E bond can be redeemed in accordance with its terms at the appropriate redemption value shown in the applicable table described in paragraph (f) of § 316.8.
The redemption values of bonds in the denomination of $100,000 are not shown in the tables, but the redemption value of a bond in that denomination will be equal to ten times the redemption value of a $10,000 bond of the same issue date.
A bond in a denomination higher than $25 (face amount) may be redeemed in part, but only in the amount of an authorized denomination or multiple thereof.
To obtain payment, owners of Series E bonds can present and surrender the bonds to a Federal Reserve Bank or Branch, or to the Department of the Treasury, with a duly executed and certified request for payment.
A financial institution qualified as a paying agent will pay the current redemption value of a Series E bond presented for payment by an individual whose name is inscribed on the bond as owner or coowner, provided the bond is in order for payment and the presenter establishes their identity to the satisfaction of the agent.
A paying agent may also pay a Series E bond at current redemption value upon the request of a legal representative designated in the bond's registration, a court-appointed legal representative of the last-deceased registrant's estate, or a beneficiary who survives the owner, provided they establish their identity and comply with evidentiary requirements.
General Information
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Minnesota Savings Bonds E Series are a type of savings bond issued by the US Department of the Treasury.
They are designed to be a low-risk investment option for Minnesota residents, with returns that are exempt from state and local taxes.
These bonds are available in electronic form only, making them a convenient option for those who want to invest in a paperless way.
The minimum purchase amount for E Series bonds is $25, and the maximum purchase amount is $10,000 per bond.
Series EE Bonds
Series EE Bonds are a type of savings bond that can be purchased in a minimum amount of $25, with additional increments of one cent.
If you purchase a Series EE bond with an issue date of May 1, 2005, or thereafter, you can expect to earn a fixed rate of interest that is established by the Secretary or the Secretary's designee.
The fixed rate of interest is determined for the life of the bond, including the extended maturity period, unless the Secretary announces a different rate or amends the terms and conditions.
The Secretary announces fixed rates of interest on May 1 and November 1 of each year, and the effective date of the rates is the first day of the month of the announcement.
If you redeem a Series EE bond less than five years after the issue date, you'll face an interest penalty of three months, but the redemption value won't be reduced below the issue price.
Book-entry Series EE savings bonds are issued in a minimum amount of $25, with additional increments of one cent, and can be purchased online through TreasuryDirect.
Book-Entry Series Bonds
Book-entry Series EE savings bonds are issued in a minimum amount of $25, with additional increments of one cent.
You can purchase a book-entry Series EE savings bond, but you'll need to provide the TIN of each person named in the registration. A book-entry bond is validly issued when it is posted to your New Treasury Direct account.
The issue date of a book-entry Series EE savings bond is the first day of the month in which the security posts to the current holdings of the account owner.
What Is the Issue Date of a Book-Entry Series Bond?
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The issue date of a book-entry Series EE savings bond is the first day of the month in which the security posts to the current holdings of the account owner. This is the date the bond is officially issued and becomes valid.
To purchase a book-entry bond, you'll need to provide the TIN of each person named in the registration. This is a requirement for all book-entry bonds.
A book-entry bond is considered validly issued when it is posted to your New Treasury Direct account.
Book-Entry Series Bond Denominations and Prices
Book-entry Series EE savings bonds are issued in a minimum amount of $25.
Additional increments of one cent are available beyond the initial $25 minimum.
You can purchase book-entry bonds in the smallest increment of one cent beyond the initial minimum, making it easy to invest in small amounts.
The smallest increment available is one cent, allowing you to invest in small amounts if you prefer.
Account Management
With MNSAVES, you can easily manage your account by logging in online. Simply log in to view your account statements and recent activity at any time.
To access your account statements, follow these steps:
- Log in to your account online.
- Once you’ve logged in, you will go directly to the “Statements, Confirms & Tax Forms” page.
- You can search by year, beneficiary and document type.
- Click on a document link to view or print it.
You'll also receive a 1099-Q tax document for any withdrawals made during the tax season, which will be payable to the Account Owner.
How to Earn
To earn money from your savings bonds, you can follow these simple steps. You can cash in electronic savings bonds by logging in to your TreasuryDirect account.
To redeem your bond, you'll need to enter your checking or savings account and routing number. This will ensure you receive the funds in two business days.
Redeeming paper bonds is even easier. You can visit a financial institution with the bond and your photo ID to redeem it for cash.
It's essential to know the issue date of your bond, which is printed on paper bonds in the upper right corner below the series type. This will help you avoid losing interest if you redeem your bond too soon.
What's My Bond Worth?
To find out what your bond is worth, start by checking the face value printed on H bonds, which are paper bonds purchased at face value.
H bonds are the easiest to determine because they are paper bonds that have been purchased at face value. The amount is printed on the bond.
For E or I bonds, you can log in to TreasuryDirect and click on “Current Holdings” to find out their worth.
Reviewing Account Statements and Tax Reports
Reviewing your account statements and tax reports is a crucial part of managing your account. You can log in to your MNSAVES account online to view these documents at any time.
To access your statements, go to the "Statements, Confirms & Tax Forms" page after logging in. This page allows you to search for documents by year, beneficiary, and document type.
Clicking on a document link will take you to the actual document, where you can view or print it as needed. If you've taken a withdrawal from your account, you'll likely receive a 1099-Q tax document, which includes the total of all withdrawals made during a given year.
The 1099-Q tax document may be taxable, depending on the type of withdrawal. As the Account Owner, you'll be the responsible party who receives the IRS Form 1099-Q.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are series E savings bonds worth anything?
Series EE savings bonds are a low-risk investment that doubles in value over 20 years, earning interest for up to 30 years. They offer a guaranteed return, making them a stable option for long-term savings.
Are series E bonds still redeemable?
Yes, Series E bonds are still redeemable, although they are no longer sold. You can redeem them through the Federal Reserve, along with other types of savings bonds.
Do they still sell series E savings bonds?
No, Series E savings bonds are no longer available for purchase. We currently offer Series EE and Series I savings bonds for purchase.
Sources
- https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-31/subtitle-B/chapter-II/subchapter-A/part-351
- https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-31/subtitle-B/chapter-II/subchapter-A/part-316
- https://www.mnsaves.org/account/faq
- https://www.gobankingrates.com/investing/bonds/making-money-savings-bonds/
- https://fiscaldata.treasury.gov/datasets/savings-bonds-issues-redemptions-maturities-by-series/
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