On November 1, 2013, the Bureau of the Public Debt today announced earnings rates for Series
I Savings Bonds and Series EE Savings Bonds, issued from November 1, 2013
through April 30, 2014.
Series i-Bonds: New Series I Bond Rate:
- Now yielding a 100% safe 1.38% with a 0.20% base rate
- This means you get inflation plus 0.20% for the next 30 years. For more, see Series I Bonds Explained
- I think Series I-Bonds are very attractive for cash in taxable accounts. You can buy up to $10,000 per Social Security number.
- This is the first time the base rate has been above zero since October 2010.
- Note: I own a lot of Series I Bonds, some with base rates as high as 3.00%!
EE Savings Bonds: Current EE Savings Bond rates
- Now they yield only 0.1%
- You can do much better in an FDIC insured savings account paying about 1%.
Best CD and Savings Rates: Best CD Rate Survey
Bob Brinker recommends CDs on his show for those who don't want to take any interest rate risk with GNMAs or any other bonds. That is bonds will lose net asset value if interest rates go up.
- I'd keep the term to 2 years or less. Perhaps make a CD ladder with
"Kirk Lindstrom's Investment Letter"