I-bond rate for May 1st

[rjk514]

New 6-mo rate coming out on May 1st..Inflation on the rise...your thoughts on what the new rate might be...hopefully better that the 4% plus that they are now...otherwise cash in??

 

[burch64]

For old and new I-Bonds the inflation part will be 2.42 so if the fixed portion of your existing I-Bonds is 2% the new rate will be 4.42%

No one knows what the fixed part of new I-Bonds issued in May will be until it is announced in May, but if it is 2% (doubtful) the rate for new I-Bonds will be 4.42%

I have a lot of I-bonds with the fixed rate of 1% so the new rate for these bonds will be 3.42% (I will be cashing them in)

Jim

 

[clifp]

I have modest number of Ibonds with a 3.4% or 3.6% real rate. I think I am going to be keeping those for a long time.

 

[FinanceDude]

I have modest number of Ibonds with a 3.4% or 3.6% real rate. I think I am going to be keeping those for a long time.

Why??

3.4-3.6% isn't that good of a rate these days...........

 

[Jarhead*]

Why??

3.4-3.6% isn't that good of a rate these days...........

3.4 and 3.6 plus inflation aint bad.

 

[cute fuzzy bunny]

Hey Clif, I'll trade you some ISM for those 3.6% ibonds...

 

[FinanceDude]

3.4 and 3.6 plus inflation aint bad.

Depends on which number you believe from the govmint...........

 

[WilliamG]

New fixed rate is 1.3 and inflation % is 2.42. That makes Jarhead's (and My!) 3.4 and 3.6 bonds pay 5.82 and 6.02 for next six month cycle.

 

[rjk514]

A lot of my bonds will be earning around 3.53% for the next
6 months,,,not true as I'm cashing in and buying some 9-mo cd's
@ 5.25%, will eat the 3 month lost interest, but I always wanted
to say to the goverment---(YOUR FIRED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

 

[terminator]

but I always wanted
to say to the goverment---(YOUR FIRED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Just pay close attention to the timing of your sale and when the rates change on your bonds. I sold some lousy 2003 I-bonds (1.1 fixed I think) but waited until I had finished collecting through a good inflation period and then sold when the penalty interest being forfeited was during a low inflation period -- something like 2.2% total. If you search threads here and calculate the interest accruing on your bonds on the first of the month you will be able to figure out the best time to sell. Explanations on this are never very clear so I'd recommend looking at your interest and calculating the return yourself so you know exactly when the rate changes and which rate you are giving up.

 

[WilliamG]

Good advice from Terminator. I just finished using the Savings Bond Calculator to calculate June-November interest updates for our I Bonds to update our Quicken data. Changes in I Bond rates are staggered based on the date they were issued; i.e., an October issue won't be picking up the new rates until November.

 

[milmoose]

I have modest number of Ibonds with a 3.4% or 3.6% real rate. I think I am going to be keeping those for a long time.

You should NEVER, EVER, NEVEREVER sell those bonds. Where else can you a risk-free investment wiht 3.4% real returns?

- M

 

[teejayevans]

Just pay close attention to the timing of your sale and when the rates change on your bonds. I sold some lousy 2003 I-bonds (1.1 fixed I think) but waited until I had finished collecting through a good inflation period and then sold when the penalty interest being forfeited was during a low inflation period -- something like 2.2% total. If you search threads here and calculate the interest accruing on your bonds on the first of the month you will be able to figure out the best time to sell. Explanations on this are never very clear so I'd recommend looking at your interest and calculating the return yourself so you know exactly when the rate changes and which rate you are giving up.

In addition if you going to RE soon, like next year (and changing to a lower tax bracket),
might also wait till next year to reduce tax liability.
TJ

 

[Sundance Kid]

I have some I-Bonds, paying a real rate of 3.0%. With the new inflation rate of 2.42%, I calculate my interest rate at 5.42%.

Savings Bond calculator indicates my interest rate is 6.15%. What is it, that I'm missing? What accounts for the difference?

 

[terminator]

I have some I-Bonds, paying a real rate of 3.0%. With the new inflation rate of 2.42%, I calculate my interest rate at 5.42%.

Savings Bond calculator indicates my interest rate is 6.15%. What is it, that I'm missing? What accounts for the difference?

Probably because that was/is the rate for the previous period (3% fixed + 3.1% inflation). If you're within five years of purchase the "current" interest rate is delayed by three months as a manner of showing the penalty for early redemption.

 

[Sundance Kid]

I haven't redeemed any bonds. They were purchased in Aug. 2001.

 

[Nords]

I have modest number of Ibonds with a 3.4% or 3.6% real rate. I think I am going to be keeping those for a long time.

I remember Mel Lindauer over at the Vanguard Diehards board was going to mortgage his house and max his credit card to buy those when the rates were announced...

 

[WilliamG]

Sundance Kid - if your 3% real bonds were purchased over a year ago, see my post above. Application of new rates is staggered based on your bonds' ISSUE date. A April bond, for instance, won't start showing the new rate until November.

 

[Sundance Kid]

I still haven't received an answer, that I can understand. It's my fault, probably, for not making myself clear. I certainly don't want to appear negative, toward those that have responded to my initial question and I certainly am appreciative of all responses!

I purchased I Bonds, in August 2001. At a base rate of 3.0%. I've held the bonds, for over 5 years and have no immediate interest in selling. I understand these bonds are guaranteed for 30 years, at 3.0%, plus the inflation rate.

Now, IF I own bonds at 3.0%, plus inflation rate, and the current rate is 2.42%, that means my bonds are paying interest at 5.42%.----- Why then, does the savings bond calculator, tell me that my interest rate is 6.15%? That's, what I don't understand!

 

[burch64]

Because you get a full 6 months at the old inflation rate, the only old I-bonds that immediately went to the new rate in May were bought in May and November.

Bonds that were bought in August will go to the new rate in July and pay the new rate for 6 months even though the rate will change again in November.

Jim

 

[rjk514]

I'm confused . Hope someone has the time to answer this question..
What interest rate will these bonds earn for May thru October 2007
purchase date : 04/2003 and 10/2003 and 05/2005... I contacted Tres.Gov
and there explanation confused all the more. Thanks for your help ...would
it be better to cash these in and get some 5.25% cds and, cash in now or wait
for 3 months...

 

[WilliamG]

If you haven't used the calculator tool provided by Treasury Direct, I suggest you do so. Can enter your specific bonds and keep track of their growth and specific interest rates for any particular month.

http://www.treasurydirect.gov/indiv/tools/tools_savingsbondcalc.htm

 

[rjk514]

Have tried that and still can't figure out the interest rate these bond
earn for the next 6 months, your answer is just like the Treasury Direct
They want you to go to calculators and I struggle with those , so my ? is
the same...what interest will these earn for next 6 months;
04/2003,
10/2003
05/2005
I must be dense ... but I need a point blank % answer.
Thanks again

 

[WilliamG]

Ok. I used the link above and calculated rates for 04/2003. I was wrong about April issues picking up new rate in November; it's October.

May-Sep 4.72%
Oct-Nov 4.04%

 

[WilliamG]

Further for RJK - other bonds:

10/2003
May-Sep 4.22%
Oct-Nov 3.53%

05/2005
May-Oct 3.63%
Nov N/A because this bond was issued the first month of a cycle and Nov rates are not yet announced