What is a Patriot Bond?

A Patriot Bond is a special edition Series EE savings bond issued between December 2001 and December 2011. This type of savings bond was made to fund anti-terrorism programs, and each one has the words "Patriot Bond" printed on it. It works the same way as any other Series EE savings bond.

How much is a $50 Patriot Bond worth?

The value of a Patriot Bond depends on its face value and its date of issuance. Every Patriot Bond earns interest, which accrues in six-month periods. After 20 years, the Patriot Bond is guaranteed to be worth at least face value. For example, a $50 Patriot Bond bought for $25 will be worth at least $50 after 20 years. It can continue to accrue interest for as many as 10 more years.

Do you have to pay taxes on Patriot Bonds?

Yes, you have to pay taxes on Patriot Bonds. The interest that your savings bond earns is subject to federal income tax, but not state or local income tax. It's also subject to federal estate, gift, and excise taxes, as well as any state estate or inheritance taxes. You can either report each year's earnings or wait and report all the earnings when you cash the bond.

How long do you have to wait for a Patriot Bond to mature?

It takes 30 years for a Patriot Bond to mature, but you can cash it in before then. Patriot Bonds are guaranteed to be worth at least the face value 20 years after they were issued.

When can I cash in my Patriot Bonds?

If you currently hold a Patriot Bond, you’re able to cash it now. However, you’re unable to cash in a Series EE savings bond within one year of issuance, and you’ll pay a penalty of three months’ interest if redeemed within five years. Since all Patriot Bonds were issued before 2012, that’s not a concern.

What is the interest rate on Patriot Bonds?

The interest rate for a Patriot Bond depends on its date of issuance. If issued in May 2005 or later, it has a fixed interest rate. If issued before then, it has a variable interest rate. You can look up the current interest rate of a Patriot Bond on the Treasury Direct website.

Patriot Bonds: Defined and Explained

Everything You Need to Know About Patriot Bonds

By Lyle Daly – Updated May 11, 2026 at 3:10 AM EST | Fact-checked by Frank Bass

Key Points

Patriot Bonds double in value after 20 years and can be cashed with accrued interest.
Interest rates for Patriot Bonds vary; later issues have fixed rates, earlier have variable.
To redeem, use Treasury Direct or certified banks, and consider federal taxes on interest.

After the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on New York City and Washington D.C., the U.S. government started issuing Patriot Bonds. If you're holding a Patriot Bond, here's exactly what it is, how to find out what it's worth, and how to cash it in.

The word bonds on an electronic board. — Image source: Getty Images.

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What are Patriot Bonds?

Patriot Bonds are special edition Series EE savings bonds issued from December 2001 to December 2011. The U.S. Department of the Treasury printed "Patriot Bond" on the bonds and used them to fund anti-terrorism programs. Besides the words printed on the bond, there was no other difference between Patriot Bonds and other Series EE savings bonds.

The government stopped issuing paper savings bonds in 2012, effectively ending the issuance of Patriot Bonds. You can still invest in bonds from the U.S. Department of the Treasury -- you just need to do so online.

Patriot Bonds were available in denominations ranging between $50 and $10,000. Series EE savings bonds are now available for between $25 and $10,000. The face value of the bond is twice what was paid, so you would have paid $50 for a Patriot Bond worth $100.

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What is my Patriot Bond worth?

A Patriot Bond is worth the issue price plus the interest it has earned. You can look up the value of your Patriot Bond by using the calculator on the Treasury Direct website.

Every Patriot Bond is guaranteed to double in value after 20 years. If you have a Patriot Bond issued in December 2001, it became worth its face value (at least) in December 2021. Patriot Bonds continue to accrue interest for 30 years unless cashed before then.

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Interest Rate

An interest rate is the cost of borrowing money or the premium you get for lending money. Learn how interest rates affect the economy.

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Patriot Bond interest rates

Patriot Bonds issued before May 2005 earn a variable rate of interest that changes every six months. The new rates are announced on May 1 and Nov. 1 of every year and apply to all Series EE bonds issued between May 1997 and April 2005.

The rate applies to those bonds six months after their last rate change. For example, bonds issued in December will see their rates change in June and December every year.

Bonds issued in May 2005 or later earn a fixed interest rate. You can continue to hold your Patriot Bond beyond its 20-year maturity and earn the fixed rate, which you can look up on the TreasuryDirect website.

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How to cash in a Patriot Bond

You can cash in Patriot Bonds by mailing them to Treasury Direct or with some banks and credit unions. Here's how to do it with Treasury Direct:

Fill out FS Form 1522.
Get your signature certified if you're redeeming more than $1,000 worth of bonds.
Send the bonds and your documentation to Treasury Direct.

To cash in your bond at a local bank, call and ask if it offers this service. Not all banks accept savings bonds. If you find one that does, the process is similar to depositing a check. Make sure to bring your Patriot Bond and your ID.

If you've converted your Patriot Bond to an electronic bond, you can cash the bond online. Log in to your Treasury Direct account and go to ManageDirect. Under the "Manage My Securities" option, select "Redeem Securities."

Rules for cashing in Patriot Bonds

You can't cash in a Series EE savings bond within a year of issuance. You'll also pay a penalty of three months' worth of interest if you redeem your bond in less than five years. But since all Patriot Bonds were issued before 2012, that's not an issue for Patriot Bond holders.

When you redeem your Patriot Bond, you'll receive a 1099-INT detailing the amount of interest earned on the savings bond. The interest is exempt from state and local tax, but you'll owe federal income tax on that amount.

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Federal Income Tax

The federal income tax is the primary source of revenue for the United States government.

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Bottom line

Like all other Series EE savings bonds, Patriot Bonds will double in value after 20 years. It often makes sense to cash in bonds right at 20 years to maximize your returns. But some offer a fixed interest rate, in which case it may be worthwhile to hold them for as long as 10 more years until the savings bond matures.

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FAQ

Patriot Bond FAQ

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About the Author

Lyle Daly is a contributing Motley Fool stock market analyst covering information technology and cryptocurrency. Lyle has been a contributor at the financial services company since 2018. His work has been featured on USA Today, Yahoo Finance, MSN, Fox Business, and Nasdaq. Before joining The Motley Fool, he wrote for financial brands including Intuit.

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@LyleDaly

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Everything You Need to Know About Patriot Bonds

Key Points

What are Patriot Bonds?