The U.S. Treasury Department is shifting away from paper savings bonds and encouraging consumers to buy electronic savings bonds instead. Until January 1, 2012, you may still purchase savings bonds with cash at your financial institution. After this date, you must purchase the bonds electronically with an automatic debit from your bank account. Other purchase options for U.S. savings bonds include an employer-sponsored program and mail-in order forms.
Go to your bank or other financial institution and ask to buy a savings bond. Provide your Social Security number and select the amount of the bond you wish to purchase. Paper savings bonds are available in $50, $75, $100, $200 and higher dollar amounts. Pay half of the amount that the bond is worth. For example, if you purchase a $100 savings bond, buy it for $50.
Ask your employer if it offers the Payroll Savings Plan. With this plan, you select an amount to be withheld from each paycheck and deposited directly into a TreasuryDirect account. This money is then automatically used to purchase savings bonds.
Set up a TreasuryDirect account at the TreasuryDirect website. Provide your Social Security number and bank account information. Select your password and security questions. Once you've logged onto your account, you can purchase electronic savings bonds in any denomination. If you wish, set up an automatic purchase schedule to regularly buy savings bonds.
Fill out a mail-in order form for savings bonds, which is available on the U.S. Treasury Department's website. Type in your full name, contact information, Social Security number and the type and amount of savings bonds you wish to purchase. Click on “Continue” to print the mail-in order form. After you click “Continue,” the Web page will display payment and mailing information. (reference 4)
