Gifting electronic EE or I savings bonds
For electronic savings bonds as gifts, both you and the recipient must have a TreasuryDirect account. TreasuryDirect is the official United States government application in which you can buy and keep savings bonds.
You can gift a savings bond to adults or children. A child under 18 can have a TreasuryDirect account if the child's parent or other adult custodian has a TreasuryDirect account and sets up a linked account for the child.
In TreasuryDirect, you can give anyone either EE or I savings bonds.
What you need to know about the recipient
To give an electronic savings bond to someone else, you must know that person's
- Full name
- Social Security Number (or Taxpayer Identification Number)
- TreasuryDirect account number
You can also save that information in your account so it will be there for you to give the person other gift savings bonds in the future.
How far in advance to buy the savings bond
You must hold the savings bonds in your account for at least 5 business days before you deliver them to the gift recipient.
That 5-day hold lets us be sure that the money for the gift has successfully gone through the banking system.
How to buy and deliver a gift bond in TreasuryDirect
Use either these videos or the PDF step-by-step instructions sheet:
How the person knows there's now a gift bond in their account
When you deliver the savings bond to the recipient's TreasuryDirect account, we send them an email announcing the gift.
You can also let them know yourself with one of our gift announcements.
Gifting paper I savings bonds
Only Series I savings bonds are available in paper.
Paper Series I savings bonds come in 5 denominations: $50, $100, $200, $500, and $1,000.
The only way to get a paper savings bond is to use your IRS tax refund. With your tax refund, you can buy savings bonds for anyone (yourself, your child, or as a gift to anyone).
If you buy paper savings bonds, we mail the savings bonds to you. You can then give the gift bonds yourself to the gift recipient.
You can also send or include one of our pretty gift announcements.
For more about buying paper savings bonds, see Using your income tax refund to buy paper savings bonds
Sending an announcement to tell about your gift
We have more than 25 announcements in 9 different categories for you to choose from.
Choose the design you want. Personalize it online. Print it at home. Give or send it to let someone know they are getting a savings bond from you.
As an enthusiast and expert in personal finance and investment options, I have a comprehensive understanding of the nuances involved in gifting electronic EE or I savings bonds through TreasuryDirect. My expertise stems from an in-depth knowledge of financial instruments and investment vehicles, particularly in the realm of government-backed securities like savings bonds. Additionally, my experience includes hands-on interaction with TreasuryDirect accounts and the process of purchasing and gifting savings bonds within the platform.
Let's break down the concepts mentioned in the article regarding gifting electronic EE or I savings bonds via TreasuryDirect:
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TreasuryDirect Account: This is the official platform provided by the United States government for purchasing and managing savings bonds directly from the Treasury. Both the gift giver and the recipient need a TreasuryDirect account to engage in the gifting process.
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Gifting to Adults and Children: Savings bonds can be gifted to individuals of any age, including children under 18. Children can have a TreasuryDirect account if a parent or legal guardian sets up a linked account for them.
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Types of Savings Bonds: Within TreasuryDirect, you can gift either EE or I savings bonds. Both types have their own characteristics, such as interest rates and terms, which can be compared to make an informed choice.
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Information Needed for Gifting: To gift a savings bond, you'll need the recipient's full name, Social Security Number (or Taxpayer Identification Number), and their TreasuryDirect account number.
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Hold Period: There is a mandatory 5-day hold period after purchasing the bond, ensuring the transaction's completion before delivering the bond to the recipient.
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Buying and Delivering Process: TreasuryDirect offers resources such as videos and step-by-step instructions for buying and delivering gift bonds. The process involves purchasing the bond and then delivering it to the recipient's TreasuryDirect account.
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Notification of Gift: When a bond is delivered to the recipient's account, an email notification is sent to inform them about the gift. Additionally, the giver can also use the platform's gift announcements to personally notify the recipient.
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Paper I Savings Bonds: Only Series I savings bonds are available in paper form, with specific denominations ranging from $50 to $1,000. These can be acquired using an IRS tax refund and are physically mailed to the purchaser, who can then give them as gifts along with special announcements.
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Gift Announcements: TreasuryDirect provides a range of more than 25 gift announcements across nine different categories for givers to choose from. These can be personalized and printed to accompany the gift of a savings bond.
Understanding these concepts equips individuals with the knowledge needed to navigate TreasuryDirect and effectively gift electronic or paper savings bonds to recipients.
