Find Out If You Have a Savings Bond

May 15, 2006 — -- If you're one of the 55 million people who own U.S. savings bonds, there could be big bucks heading your way.

There are an estimated $14 billion worth of unclaimed savings bonds languishing in government coffers, according to the Bureau of Public Debt. Now, finding out whether one is yours is just a few clicks away.

The U.S. Treasury Department has set up a Web site to help people track down their bonds using Social Security numbers.

Some older bonds are not yet in the system, but if you are fairly certain you have one, you can write to the Treasury Department and ask it to search microfiche records for you.

These unclaimed savings bonds can add up to big money.

A $1,000 savings bond purchased in 1965 that takes 40 years to mature earned interest until last year when it maxed out at $9,000. Due to inflation, experts say it is better to cash the bond in now or re-invest it so the money continues to work for you.