
I-Bonds: Get Your “Free Lunch” While It’s Hot!
October is the final month to take advantage of a 9.62% annualized rate for six months by purchasing “Series I Savings Bonds” (or “I-Bonds”) from the U.S. Treasury.

October is the final month to take advantage of a 9.62% annualized rate for six months by purchasing “Series I Savings Bonds” (or “I-Bonds”) from the U.S. Treasury.

We published earlier articles noting (1) the current bear market didn’t exist in monthly data and (2) the current yield curve inversion didn’t exist in TIPS data. Neither of those observations is still true.

This article presents an in-depth compare/contrast between I-Bonds and TIPS, with basic facts and color commentary—including several surprising discoveries!

Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) can be used to build inflation-protected income to cover annual spending needs in retirement. Find out how Round Table builds TIPS portfolios for retirement income in this article.

The current, much-ballyhooed yield curve inversion is driven entirely by the term structure of inflation expectations!

Measured with daily data, the S&P 500 Index (the usual stand-in for “the stock market” in the U.S.) is in its second bear market in just over two years. Measured with monthly data, the S&P 500 is still in a historic bull market that stretches back to 2009.

In the past 18 months, the inflation rate has jumped more than 6X, but the cost to purchase inflation-protected income with TIPS has declined ~20%! Find out how, why, and what you can potentially do to take advantage.

I-Bonds are paying a government-guaranteed rate that is higher than what is available in other types of bonds. Is this a “free lunch”? If so, how can that be?

When a bear market is in full swing, it’s only natural for investors to wonder, “What should I do now?” We believe the evidence supports strategic thinking and sticking to your financial plan, rather than attempting to tactically respond to market events.

I-Bonds are government-guaranteed savings bonds that pay a fixed rate plus the recent inflation rate. From May through October 2022, these bonds pay 9.62% annualized, due to prevailing high inflation.