*If you know your Premium Bond number, go to the NS&I website’s prize checker area or download the prize checker app from the App Store or Google Play. There’s also a Premium Bonds prize checker skill on Amazon Alexa if you have one.
Clients are encouraged to utilize their Prize Checker online to check for rewards and help keep call center capacity available for customers who have an immediate financial need during the pandemic. Customers should only send anything to NS&I via mail if they have no other option.
‘Agent Million’ will contact you if you are one of the two monthly jackpot winners. Expect no knock on the door in these days of social alienation, but NS&I claims they are “well-equipped” to convey the good news. You can choose to have any future winnings paid directly into your bank account if you’re registered for the online and phone service. If you win, NS&I will contact you by email or text message.
*You can locate your NS&I number on an old letter from NS&I if you don’t know your Premium Bond holder’s number. Log in to NS&I online using your surname and password, then look for your holders number on the account details page.
*If you cannot locate your holder’s number or account number, contact NS&I at 08085 007 007 or write to get a replacement bond record. Give as much information as possible about your previous addresses, where and when you purchased the Premium Bonds, and how much they are worth.
*Alternatively, you can track down your Premium Bond information through the NS&I Tracing Service or My Lost Account.
How far back can Premium Bonds be checked?
Claims have no time limit, so you can go back as far as you like. Here’s how to get your hands on any prizes that haven’t been claimed yet: To begin your claim, call 08085 007 007 if you are a registered user of NS&I’s online and phone services.
How do I find out whether I have any bonds in my name?
Ask your family members whether they have ever opened a bond in your name to see if there are any outstanding bonds in your name. Call your parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and anybody else you think might have bought a bond in your name in the past. After sifting through their filing cabinets, the family member may be able to discover the bond and hand it over to you for redemption.
How do you track down misplaced investments?
Each year, Uncle Sam receives 25,000 interest and principal payments on Treasury securities as undeliverable. Despite the fact that aged savings bonds no longer earn interest, billions of dollars are not cashed. To find matured savings bonds or missing payments from securities, utilize the Treasury Hunt search engine at www.treasurydirect.gov/indiv/indiv.htm. Select “Search for Your Securities in Treasury Hunt” from the drop-down menu. To begin, simply key in your Social Security number.
Only since the mid-1970s has it been customary to include Social Security numbers on savings bonds. As a result, the Treasury Hunt search engine can only find bonds issued after 1974. Go to treasurydirect.gov if you’re looking for older bonds or ones that are still paying interest. Download 1048, which is used for lost, stolen, or destroyed savings bonds, from the “Forms” tab. Fill in as much information as you can, including the missing bonds’ issue date (or a range of dates), their face amount and serial numbers, and the owners’ names, residences, and Social Security numbers. If you’re looking for someone else’s bonds as the executor of an estate, you’ll need to show proof of your legal power.
What is the best way to find out if a deceased relative had Premium Bonds?
If you’ve misplaced your holder number or are looking for bonds owned by a deceased relative, you’ll need to contact NS&I and request a tracing service.
Please sign and return the form to: Tracing Service, National Savings and Investments, Glasgow, G58 1SB.
Depending on how many facts about the bonds you can provide, the tracing service will take four to six weeks to provide a result. If an account is located but no signature is on file (which could be the case if the bond was formed for you as a child), NS&I will ask for a witnessed signature or another form of identification. The account details will be released to you after this is provided.
What is the location of my NS&I number?
How to find your NS&I number Your NS&I number can be found on any letter you’ve received from us since you registered. It will have 11 digits and will begin with 11, 21, 31, or 41. Using your name, date of birth, and postcode, you may instantly acquire a reminder of your NS&I number online.
What if my child receives Premium Bonds?
Buying NS&I Premium Bonds for a youngster is a fantastic idea because it’s a gift that keeps on giving (possibly).
Premium Bonds can be purchased on behalf of a kid by anybody over the age of 16, thus aunts, uncles, and even family acquaintances can participate.
Furthermore, NS&I’s decision in 2019 to reduce the minimum investment amount from £100 to £25 makes them a considerably more practical, or inexpensive, gift.
Instead, how about purchasing bonds for yourself? The following are the simplest methods for purchasing Premium Bonds.
How to buy Premium Bonds for your child
Parents and legal guardians can apply online, over the phone, or by mail to purchase Premium Bonds as a gift for their children.
Whether you’re buying for the first time or adding to your collection of Premium Bonds, you’ll need to be registered with NS&I.
As previously stated, you must invest at least £25 in Premium Bonds, with each £1 producing one unique bond number.
Every number has an equal chance of winning a prize, so buying more increases your chances of winning.
Until your child turns 16, you will receive confirmation of transactions, money for bonds cashed in, and rewards won.
Do you want to know whether you’ve won anything? The most recent results can be seen in this article.
Buying Premium Bonds for someone else’s child
If you want to spoil your grandchild, niece, nephew, or even a family friend’s child, you can apply online or by mail for an electronic or paper gift card to give to the child.
Your investment will be acknowledged, but only the chosen parent or guardian will be able to manage and cash in the bonds.
Before purchasing Premium Bonds for someone else’s child, there are a few things to consider.
Of course, you’ll want to make sure the parent or guardian is okay with you sending over their information and that they’re happy to look after the bonds.
These facts include the child’s and parent’s or guardian’s dates of birth and addresses, as well as the child’s Premium Bonds holder’s number (if they have one).
Everyone on the application will have their identity and address checked by NS&I, therefore there’s a risk that documentation will be required.
To avoid any unpleasant shocks, inform the parent or guardian that NS&I may contact them to request documentation to establish their identity.
Premium Bonds are detailed in detail, including how to purchase them, how to cash them in, when winners are revealed, and more.
How long does the process take?
If you’re buying the bonds as a present for someone special, you’ll need to prepare ahead and apply ahead of time.
NS&I hopes to open new accounts in seven to ten working days, but because everyone’s name and address on the application form must be validated, it will most likely take longer.
What happens if the child wins?
If the child outperforms the odds and wins a prize, the parent or guardian will have to decide what to do with it.
There’s no need to be concerned about tax implications. While a child cannot earn more than £100 in interest per year from savings, this does not apply to Premium Bonds winnings because they are rewards.
Finally, make sure the child’s information is up to date: there are millions of pounds in unclaimed awards held by bondholders under the age of 16.
Is there any value in premium savings bonds?
- Have a large sum of money to set aside (the more bonds you have, the bigger your chance of winning a prize)
- Interest on savings is taxed (and have already used up your annual cash ISA allowance)
- The concept of a prize draw appeals to me (you could win big, but you also may not win anything)
It all boils down to your personality. Do you get a nice feeling from the element of surprise? What if you didn’t win anything? How would you feel?
