How U.S. government savings products differ
Series I and Series EE are U.S. Treasury savings bonds with product-specific interest and redemption rules. Treasury bills, notes and bonds are marketable securities whose prices and yields depend on the security and market conditions. These products are not interchangeable with an ordinary bank savings account.
Products and programmes to explore
Use these official links to confirm product eligibility, current terms and application details. GovtSave does not publish a single rate where the official product or account framework does not have one.
Series I Savings Bonds
Inflation-linked savings bond
U.S. Treasury savings bonds with a fixed-rate component and an inflation component that changes by issue period. Redemption restrictions apply.
Series EE Savings Bonds
Long-term savings bond
Electronic U.S. Treasury savings bonds with their own interest and holding rules. Review the terms for the bond's issue date before estimating its value.
Treasury Bills, Notes and Bonds
Marketable government securities
U.S. Treasury securities with different maturities. Their market prices and yields can vary; a marketable security can be worth more or less than its purchase price if sold before maturity.
What to verify before comparing
Before choosing a product, check purchase limits, when interest is credited, the minimum holding period, redemption restrictions and federal tax treatment. For marketable securities, understand the difference between a coupon rate, market price and yield.
- Confirm whether an advertised figure is an interest rate, yield, coupon, prize-fund rate or an annually declared dividend.
- Check current eligibility, fees, contribution or purchase limits, access rules, tax treatment and maturity conditions with the responsible official agency.
- Use the date and terms of the specific issue or product, rather than relying on an old rate quoted elsewhere.
Frequently asked questions about United States savings
Do Series I Savings Bonds pay the same rate forever?
No. Their interest combines a fixed component and an inflation component. The applicable composite rate and its period should be checked on TreasuryDirect.
Are Treasury bills the same as a savings account?
No. Treasury bills are marketable government securities with auction terms and yields; they are not deposit accounts.
Where can I verify current U.S. Treasury terms?
Use the linked TreasuryDirect pages for current rates, purchase rules, tax information and redemption conditions.
GovtSave is an independent educational resource, not a government agency, bank or financial adviser. This page provides general information, not personal financial, tax or legal advice. Rates, terms and eligibility can change; use the linked official sources before making a decision.