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Are I-Bonds Still Useful in 2026?

The headline rate has cooled, but the fixed-rate component is the most generous it's been in fifteen years.

I-Bonds pay a fixed rate plus inflation. The fixed component is locked in for the life of the bond. Today's fixed rate near 1.3% means a multi-decade real return floor — quietly excellent for long-term cash.

The annual purchase cap is real: $10,000 per person, $20,000 for a couple. Treat the limit as a feature; it forces you to make this a multi-year project.