Series EE vs I bonds: rates, doubling rule and limits
- EE bond rate2.40%fixed, issued through Oct 31, 2026
- I bond composite4.26%incl. 0.90% fixed
- EE 20-year doubling≈3.50%equivalent annual rate
Series EE and Series I savings bonds side by side: the current official rates, how each earns interest, the EE 20-year doubling rule, cash-in rules, limits and taxes.
Every figure comes from TreasuryDirect and is dated.
Rates checked at TreasuryDirect Oct 24, 2026, for bonds issued May 1, 2026 to Oct 31, 2026. New rates apply from Nov 1, 2026.
Current official rates
| Bond | Rate | Source, date |
|---|---|---|
| Series EE (bonds issued May 1, 2026 to Oct 31, 2026) | 2.40% | TreasuryDirect, Oct 24, 2026 |
| Series I composite (issued May 1, 2026 to Oct 31, 2026) | 4.26% | TreasuryDirect, Oct 24, 2026 |
| Series I fixed-rate part | 0.90% | TreasuryDirect, Oct 24, 2026 |
Rates as posted by TreasuryDirect. The I bond composite rate applies for 6 months from the issue date, then resets.
Side by side
| Feature | Series EE | Series I |
|---|---|---|
| How the rate works | Fixed rate set at purchase; value at least doubles at 20 years | Fixed rate plus an inflation rate recalculated every May and November; composite cannot fall below zero |
| Earns interest for | 30 years | 30 years |
| Cash in | After 12 months; before 5 years the last 3 months of interest are lost | After 12 months; before 5 years the last 3 months of interest are lost |
| Purchase amounts | $25 minimum, to the penny | $25 minimum, to the penny |
| Annual limit | $10,000 electronic per SSN per calendar year | $10,000 electronic per SSN or EIN per calendar year |
| Federal income tax | Yes (can be deferred until cashed in) | Yes (can be deferred until cashed in) |
| State and local income tax | No | No |
| Higher-education exclusion | Earnings may be excludable for qualified expenses | Earnings may be excludable for qualified expenses |
| Form | Electronic only for new bonds | Electronic only since Jan 1, 2025 |
Sources: TreasuryDirect: Comparing EE and I bonds, EE bonds, I bonds; checked Oct 24, 2026.
The EE 20-year doubling rule
TreasuryDirect states that a new EE bond will be worth at least twice its purchase price at 20 years. A value that doubles in 20 years with semiannual compounding implies an annual rate of 2 × (21/40 − 1) ≈ 3.50%. The stated rate on bonds issued May 1, 2026 to Oct 31, 2026 is 2.40%; at that rate alone a bond would not double in 20 years, so Treasury adds a one-time adjustment at the 20-year mark. A bond cashed in before 20 years earns only the stated rate (less the 3-month interest loss if before 5 years).
The doubling arithmetic is computed here from TreasuryDirect's stated rule; it is not a published TreasuryDirect rate.
| Held | EE bond value |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $1,024.14 |
| 5 years | $1,126.69 |
| 10 years | $1,269.43 |
| 20 years | $2,000.00 (doubling rule) |
Illustration only: $1,000 EE bond issued May 1, 2026 to Oct 31, 2026 at the 2.40% fixed rate, compounded semiannually, before any 3-month interest loss and before taxes. An I bond is not shown because its rate resets every 6 months and future rates are not published.
How each is purchased
Both are sold only as electronic bonds in a TreasuryDirect account (TreasuryDirect: savings bond purchases). Steps for opening an account are in the TreasuryDirect T-bill guide.
Not yet confirmed
Not yet published as of Oct 24, 2026: the EE rate and the I bond fixed and composite rates for bonds issued from Nov 1, 2026. TreasuryDirect posts them on its EE and I bond pages; no estimate is given here.
Related: parking cash before Jan 1 · I bond vs T-bill vs CD · year-end money moves 2026 · T-bill vs CD vs savings after tax · where to park cash · FDIC national rates · I bond rate history.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the current EE and I bond rates?
Per TreasuryDirect (checked Oct 24, 2026), Series EE bonds issued May 1, 2026 to Oct 31, 2026 earn a fixed 2.40%, and Series I bonds issued in the same window earn a 4.26% composite rate that includes a 0.90% fixed rate.
What does the EE bond 20-year doubling mean?
TreasuryDirect states that a new EE bond will be worth at least double its purchase price at 20 years; if the fixed rate has not doubled it, Treasury makes a one-time adjustment. Doubling in 20 years works out to about 3.50% a year compounded semiannually (arithmetic shown on this page). Cashing in before 20 years does not receive that adjustment.
Do the two bonds share a purchase limit?
No. TreasuryDirect lists separate limits: up to $10,000 in electronic EE bonds and up to $10,000 in electronic I bonds per Social Security Number per calendar year.
When can EE and I bonds be cashed in?
Both can be cashed in after 12 months. Cashing in before 5 years forfeits the last 3 months of interest. Both earn interest for up to 30 years.
When do the rates change next?
TreasuryDirect sets new EE and I bond rates for bonds issued from Nov 1, 2026. As of Oct 24, 2026 they had not been published; this page shows only the current official rates and gives no estimate.
Is this personalized advice?
No. This is an educational comparison of rules and rates published by TreasuryDirect. It does not consider anyone's individual situation.