Can you cash a savings bond if the person is deceased?

Asked by: Miss Jazmyn Thompson  |  Last update: June 22, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (60 votes)

Get a certified copy of the death certificate for everyone who has died who is named on any of the bonds. Have each person who is entitled to a distributed bond also fill out and sign the appropriate forms: If they want cash for their bond: FS Form 1522. If it is an EE or I bond and they want to keep it: FS Form 4000.

Can a savings bond be cashed if the owner is deceased?

TO CASH BONDS FOR A DECEDENT'S ESTATE:

Series EE, Series E, and Series I bonds can be cashed at a local financial institution. Some of these transactions may have to be forwarded for further processing. Series HH and Series H bonds must be sent to one of the addresses shown at the bottom of the following page.

Can you cash a savings bond that is not in your name?

Note: Do not buy savings bonds from someone else or in an online auction site. You cannot cash them. You can only cash bonds that you own or co-own unless you have legal evidence or other documentation that we accept to show you are entitled to cash the bond.

Can savings bonds be transferred to another person?

If you transfer savings bonds to another customer, the amount of the transfer is applied toward the annual purchase limitation for each savings bond type in the year the transfer occurs.

Is there a penalty for not cashing an EE bond after 30 years?

There is no penalty for holding onto a Series EE savings bond past the 30-year maturity period. Once a Series EE bond reaches its final maturity, it stops earning interest, but there are no penalties associated with holding onto it beyond that point.

How Do You Cash Savings Bonds If Owner Is Deceased? - AssetsandOpportunity.org

31 related questions found

Do savings bonds double every 7 years?

Do Savings Bonds Double Every 7 Years? There is no set rule about savings bonds doubling after seven years. Series EE bonds are guaranteed to double in value after 20 years. Series I bonds don't offer guarantees and may not double in value at any guaranteed point.

What happens to a bond on death?

In the event of death of the last or only surviving life assured, a 'chargeable event' occurs, causing the bond to end. This triggers taxation of any gains as savings income, which is then added to the deceased's other income for that tax year.

Can someone cash my savings bond?

Remember that savings bonds can't be sold, traded or given away. The person whose name is on the bond is the only person who can cash it in (with some exception, which we'll get to shortly).

Who pays taxes on inherited savings bonds?

You report the interest that accumulated on the bond during the bondholder's lifetime on their final tax return. The estate would be responsible for paying any tax due and going forward, you'd owe tax on any interest that continues to accrue on reissued bonds.

What happens to a bond when someone dies?

Typically, assets not in a trust, joint titling, or having a beneficiary designation that adds up to $184,500 would have to go through a probate. Because US Savings Bonds are federal assets, they do not have to abide by the California Probate Code.

Does it matter whose social security number is on a savings bond?

A Social Security Number must be provided. If this is a gift bond purchase, use the owner's name and SSN, if available. If the owner's SSN is not available, use the purchaser's SSN. Use of the purchaser's SSN does not confer rights to the bond or require interest reporting.

Can you cash in a savings bond if you lost it?

For us to replace or cash your EE or I savings bond, you must fill out and submit FS Form 1048. To get the correct version, answer this question: Do you know your bonds' serial numbers? Use this FS Form 1048.

Can I cash in my deceased parents premium bonds?

After a year has elapsed, the Executor or the nominated beneficiary will need to conatct NS&I to claim any prizes and to cash out the bonds. Waiting a year can of course delay the inheritance of funds, but it could lead to more money overall, if prizes are won during that year.

What documents do I need to cash a savings bond?

In addition to the bonds, you'll need to provide proof of identity, like a United States driver's license, and partner with a notary to notarize and certify your signature on an unsigned FS Form 1522 to your local bank or credit union.

Can I cash a savings bond at a bank I don't have an account with?

If you have a paper savings bond but your bank can't cash it, you'll need to redeem it online at TreasuryDirect or at a financial institution that will cash savings bonds for non-account holders.

How do I redeem a savings bond for a deceased person?

Get a certified copy of the death certificate for everyone who has died who is named on any of the bonds. Have each person who is entitled to a distributed bond also fill out and sign the appropriate forms: If they want cash for their bond: FS Form 1522. If it is an EE or I bond and they want to keep it: FS Form 4000.

Can someone cash a savings bond not in their name?

You will probably not be able to cash it directly, even if your name is on the "Mail to:" line unless you are the beneficiary of the bond. If both parents are dead and the bond has no beneficiary, it belongs to the estate, even if your name is on the "Mail to" line.

How do you cash in bonds if a person is deceased?

How to claim Premium Bonds after a death. The Executor can trace and claim Premium Bonds belonging to the deceased either online or by post. If applying by post, they must include a copy of the death certificate and the Will. If applying online, the Executor must complete a bereavement claim form.

What happens when the owner of a savings bond dies?

If a surviving co-owner or beneficiary is named on the savings bond, the bond goes directly to that person. It does not become part of the estate of the person who died. If you are the named co-owner or beneficiary who inherits the bond, you have different options for paper EE or I bonds and paper HH bonds.

How do I claim a bond after death?

The surviving registrant needs to complete a Request To Reissue United States Savings Bonds (FS Form 4000). If Series HH bonds are being reissued, the surviving registrant must also complete Direct Deposit Sign- Up Form (FS Form 5396) for direct deposit of the interest payments.

Can an executor of estate cash savings bonds?

If the court appointed you as the representative to settle an estate, and that estate is still open and being settled. You may: Redeem the bonds to the estate, or. Distribute the bonds to specific heirs.

How do I avoid taxes when cashing in savings bonds?

With that in mind, you have one option for avoiding taxes on savings bonds: the education exclusion. You can skip paying taxes on interest earned with Series EE and Series I savings bonds if you're using the money to pay for qualified higher education costs.

How long does it take for a $100 EE savings bond to mature?

All Series EE bonds reach final maturity 30 years from issue. Series EE savings bonds purchased from May 1995 through April 1997 increase in value every six months.

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