ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Monday, March 18, 1996                 TAG: 9603190021
SECTION: MONEY                    PAGE: 6    EDITION: METRO 
COLUMN: Money Matters
SOURCE: MAG POFF

H BONDS EXPIRE IN 30 YEARS

Q: How long can a person hold H bonds after buying them?

A: The old H bonds, which no longer are sold, are good for 30 years from the date of purchase, according to Larry Harding, district coordinator for the U.S. Savings Bond program. When the H bonds expire and no longer pay interest, he said, you can roll them over into the newer series HH bonds.

The HH bonds are good for 20 years from the date of purchase. They have been sold only since 1980, so all HH bonds are still active. It is possible that Congress will extend their life as the expiration date approaches, but this is by no means certain.

HH bonds pay interest semiannually and do not gain in value. EE bonds, on the other hand, earn and accrue market interest.

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