Should you buy I-Bonds right now?

I-Bond Fixed Rate —

TIPS ... Real Yield —

Verdict for New Money

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Best day to buy this month —

⚙️ Assumptions: 24% Fed, 4% State, 2.5% Infl, 10Y Hold

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Federal Tax (%) Inc. NIIT (+3.8%) for higher brackets

State Tax (%) Applies to TIPS, not I-Bonds

Expected Inflation (%) Long-term estimate

Comparison Duration (Years) Horizon for "Hold vs TIPS"

Use Optimal I-Bond Timing

Buy I-Bonds on the last day of the month, and redeem on the first of the month.

Education Savings Bond Program

Sets I-Bond federal tax to 0% if used for tuition (Owner 24+, under income limit). TIPS remain taxable.

I might need this money before my horizon

On close calls, highlights I-Bonds' edge: you can redeem at face value anytime after a year with no rate risk. Disabled by the Education program, which requires holding to maturity.

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