Treasury Bonds: What They Are and Why They Matter - NerdWallet (2024)

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Treasury Bonds: What They Are and Why They Matter - NerdWallet? ›

U.S. Treasury bonds are long-term debt securities. Treasury bonds mature in 20 or 30 years and pay interest every six months. When you purchase a Treasury bond, you are loaning money to the U.S. federal government. Treasury bonds are a low-risk investment that pays a fixed return and offers tax advantages.

Treasury bonds pay a fixed rate of interest, which can provide a steady income stream. As a result, bonds can offer investors a steady return that can help offset potential losses from other investments in their portfolio, such as equities.

Treasury bonds, often referred to as T-bonds, are long-term loans made to the U.S. government. When you buy a Treasury bond, you're essentially lending money to the federal government. In return, the government agrees to pay you a fixed rate of interest every six months for the life of the bond.

But while they are lauded for their security and reliability, potential drawbacks such as interest rate risk, low returns and inflation risk must be carefully considered. If you're interested in investing in Treasury bonds or have other questions about your portfolio, consider speaking with a financial advisor.

While Treasury bonds don't have a serious risk that the government won't pay you back, they do have two other risks that are typical of bonds: inflation risk and interest rate risk. While Treasury bonds are relatively safe investments, one key risk is that inflation will erode your returns over the years.

A Treasury bond, or "T-bond," is a debt issued by the U.S. government to raise money. When you buy a T-bond, you lend the federal government money, and it pays you a stated rate of interest until the loan comes due.

By buying a bond, you're giving the issuer a loan, and they agree to pay you back the face value of the loan on a specific date, and to pay you periodic interest payments along the way, usually twice a year. Unlike stocks, bonds issued by companies give you no ownership rights.

These are U.S. government bonds that offer a unique combination of safety and steady income. But while they are lauded for their security and reliability, potential drawbacks such as interest rate risk, low returns and inflation risk must be carefully considered.

Once you buy T-bonds, you get a fixed-interest payment called the coupon every six months. The coupon amount is given as a percentage of the bond's face value. For example, a bond worth $500 with a coupon rate of 5% would pay $25 in interest each year.

Interest from Treasuries is generally taxable at the federal level, but not at the state level. Interest from munis is generally exempt from federal taxes, and if you live in the state where the bond was issued, the interest may also be exempt from state taxes.

What is a major disadvantage of purchasing US treasury bonds? ›

So, the risks to investing in T-bonds are opportunity risks. That is, the investor might have gotten a better return elsewhere, and only time will tell. The dangers lie in three areas: inflation, interest rate risk, and opportunity costs.

Interest rate risks: As are all bonds, Treasury bonds are subject to price volatility as a result of changes in market interest rates. Inflation risk: The interest earned on Treasury securities may not keep pace with inflation (with the exception of Treasury inflation-protected securities, or TIPS).

Choosing between a CD and Treasuries depends on how long of a term you want. For terms of one to six months, as well as 10 years, rates are close enough that Treasuries are the better pick. For terms of one to five years, CDs are currently paying more, and it's a large enough difference to give them the edge.

Both certificates of deposit (CDs) and bonds are considered safe-haven investments with modest returns and low risk. When interest rates are high, a CD may yield a better return than a bond. When interest rates are low, a bond may be the higher-paying investment.

Often, CDs pay higher rates for longer term lengths. Treasury bills are short-term securities issued by the U.S. Treasury, with terms that range between four and 52 weeks. They are considered a type of bond, but don't pay a coupon (interest).

Investing in Treasury bonds has its advantages, such as low risk, stable income, and tax benefits, but it also comes with disadvantages, such as low returns, inflation risk, and interest rate risk.