The best flood insurance is to build on high ground. Instead of looking for products that can offset stock risk, most investors would be better served by building safer portfolios. If you're worried about a downturn, that means shifting more money to fixed-return investments (bonds)

Jack Hough
SmartMoney
Current I Bond Rate
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I Bond Variable Rate

The variable rate of an I bond is the part of the calculation that is based on the CPI-U inflation rate change. This means that the variable rate plus the fixed rate results in the composite rate. Following the variable rate is not as common as it used to be since the Treasury now focuses on the CPI-U/Inflation rate and the fixed rates instead.

Composite Rate = Fixed rate + Variable rate

Historical Initial Variable Rates


Mean: 2.11%
Median: 2.2%
Highest rate: 5.7285%
Lowest rate: -5.56278%
Issue DateVariable Rate
May 2020 1.06 %
November 2019 2.02 %
May 2019 1.40 %
November 2018 2.33 %
May 2018 1.96 %
November 2017 2.22 %
May 2017 1.96 %
November 2016 2.76 %
May 2016 0.16 %
November 2015 1.54 %
May 2015 -1.60 %
November 2014 1.48 %
May 2014 1.84 %
November 2013 1.18 %
May 2013 1.18 %
November 2012 1.76 %
May 2012 2.20 %
November 2011 3.06 %
May 2011 4.60 %
November 2010 0.74 %
May 2010 1.54 %
November 2009 3.06 %
May 2009 -5.56 %
November 2008 4.94 %
May 2008 4.84 %
November 2007 3.08 %
May 2007 2.44 %
November 2006 3.12 %
May 2006 1.01 %
November 2005 5.73 %
May 2005 3.60 %
November 2004 2.67 %
May 2004 2.39 %
November 2003 1.09 %
May 2003 3.56 %
November 2002 2.48 %
May 2002 0.57 %
November 2001 2.40 %
May 2001 2.92 %
November 2000 3.09 %
May 2000 3.89 %
November 1999 3.58 %
May 1999 1.75 %
November 1998 1.75 %
September 1998 1.26 %

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Page last modified 9/25/2011