LemonTrades
TL;DR
- I bonds bought from November 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027 earn 5.51% for their first six months.
- That’s a 1.40% fixed rate, which lasts for the bond’s 30-year life, plus an inflation rate of 4.08% a year that resets every six months.
- You can buy up to $10,000 a year at TreasuryDirect. You must hold for a year, and you lose three months’ interest if you cash in before five years.
- LemonTrades warns you before every inflation report, the data that sets the next I bond rate.
The I bond rate changes every May 1 and November 1. The newest one is the highest since late 2022.
| Rate | |
|---|---|
| Composite ratebought Nov 2026 to Apr 2027 | 5.51% |
| Fixed ratefor the bond’s whole life | 1.40% |
| Inflation rate2.04% for six months, 4.08% a year | 4.08% |
| Previous compositeMay to Oct 2026 | 4.26% |
| RecordMay to Oct 2022 | 9.62% |
How the rate is set
The inflation part comes from the consumer price index: it rose 2.04% from March to September 2026. The formula combines it with the fixed rate:
Composite = fixed + (2 × six-month inflation) + (fixed × six-month inflation)
1.40% + 4.08% + 0.03% = 5.51%.
If you already own I bonds
Your bond keeps the fixed rate it was bought with, and gets the new inflation part at its next six-month reset. A bond with a 0% fixed rate, like many bought in 2021 and 2022, will earn about 4.08% for its next six months; one with a 1.30% fixed rate will earn about 5.41%. The rate can’t go below zero.
What $10,000 earns
| If you buy | First six months | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| $10,000 | About $275 | Then the rate resets with inflation |
| $1,000 | About $27.50 |
Interest compounds every six months and is paid when you cash in. It’s free of state and local tax.
Is it worth it now?
A 1.40% fixed rate on top of inflation is the best offered in years, and inflation is running high: CPI was 3.7% in September. Treasury bills pay about 4%, but their rate isn’t tied to inflation. Full rules: what is a savings bond. Checking an old bond? See how much your bond is worth.
Sources
- TreasuryDirect: new savings bond rates, November 1, 2026
- TreasuryDirect: I bonds
- TreasuryDirect: I bond interest rates
Education, not financial advice. See our disclaimer.
