U.S. Savings Bonds are a safe, convenient and affordable way to save for your future. Best of all, they can be purchased for as little as $25 and earn competitive rates of return compared to other forms of saving. Whether your saving for supplemental retirement funds or to pay for qualified higher education expenses, here are some great reasons to consider U.S. Savings Bonds:

I Bonds

• Sold at face value (you pay $50 for a $50 bond).
• Offer a real rate of return over and above inflation.
• Purchase up to $30,000 per year.
• New rates announced each May 1^st and November 1^st.
• Earn interest for up to 30 years.
• Can be redeemed anytime after 12 months.*
• Exempt from state and local income taxes.
• Backed by the full faith and credit of the United States.
• Available in the following denominations: $50, $75, $100, $200, $500, $1,000, $5,000 and $10,000.

Series EE Bonds

• Sold at half their face value (you pay $25 for a $50 bond).
• Earn rates based on five-year Treasury securities.
• Purchase up to $15,000 per year.
• New rates announced each May 1^st and November 1^st.
• Earn interest for up to 30 years. You can delay the tax consequences by exchanging them for Series HH Savings Bonds for up to 20 more years.
• Can be redeemed anytime after 12 months*.
• Exempt from state and local income taxes.
• Backed by the full faith and credit of the United States.
• Available in the following denominations $50, $75, $100, $200, $500, $1,000, $5,000 and $10,000.

*If redeemed before 5 years, there is a 3-month loss of interest.