Series EE and Series I

The most common type of U.S. savings bonds are Series EE bonds. They are issued at a discount, and the interest is the difference between the purchase price and the amount received when the bonds are redeemed (cashed in).

Series I bonds, first offered in 1998, are issued at face value with a maturity period of 30 years. As with Series EE bonds, the interest is paid when the bonds are redeemed.

	The purchase price for discounted (Series EE) bonds is less than the amount shown on the bond. The purchase price for face value (Series I) bonds is the amount shown on the bond. The interest is the increase in the bond's value over a period of time.