Your last chance to secure 9.62% annual interest for Series I bonds is Oct. 28

KEY POINTS

If you’re eager to secure 9.62% annual interest for Series I bonds for six months, the deadline is quickly approaching.

You must purchase I bonds and receive your confirmation email by Oct. 28 to lock in the record 9.62% rate.

The rate is expected to drop to roughly 6.48% in November, based on inflation, experts predict.

If you’re eager to secure 9.62% annual interest for Series I bonds for six months, the deadline is quickly approaching.

You must purchase I bonds and receive your confirmation email by Oct. 28 to lock in the record 9.62% rate, according to TreasuryDirect.

The rate is expected to drop to roughly 6.48% in November, based on the latest inflation data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

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While I bond rates shift twice yearly based on inflation, you can still lock in 9.62% annual interest for six months — as long as you complete the purchase by Oct. 28. And six months after your purchase date, you’ll earn roughly 6.48% for another six months.

“That’s an option if someone wants the best of both worlds,” said Ken Tumin, founder and editor of DepositAccounts.com, who tracks I bonds, among other assets. 

How to estimate I bond rates for one year

There are two parts to I bond rates: a fixed rate, which stays the same after purchase, and a variable rate, which shifts twice per year based on inflation.

It’s nice to know what interest rates you will get when you’re committing to a 12-month lockup,” said Jeremy Keil, a certified financial planner with Keil Financial Partners in Milwaukee.

While it’s too early to estimate rates for May 2023, buying I bonds before the end of October means you’ll receive the May and November rates for six months each.

“There’s no doubt that it’s better to get the 9.62% for the first six months, and then 6.48% for six months,” said David Enna, founder of Tipswatch.com, a website that tracks I bond rates. 

“A short-term investor — somebody just wanting to put away cash — should definitely buy in October,” he said.

However, if you’re trying to secure the 9.62% rate before November, Enna suggests making the purchase no later than a few business days before the end of October.

The downsides of buying I bonds

While roughly knowing I bond rates for one year may be appealing, there are a few things to consider before buying, experts say.

“The biggest downside is you are locked in for 12 months,” Keil said. “You cannot take it out for any reason.” And you’ll give up three months of interest by cashing in before five years. 

Still, I bonds may be worth considering for a portion of your emergency savings, as long as there’s other cash readily available for unexpected costs, he said. 

And if you’re expecting college tuition bills in 2024, Keil sai