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Understanding Treasury Bills and Treasury Bonds

Government bonds offer a low-risk investment option. While the returns may not match higher-risk assets like stocks, they can diversify your portfolio and provide a steady income stream. Treasury bonds and Treasury bills are both debt securities available through the federal government, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Here’s a comparison to help you choose the right option for your needs.

What Are Treasury Bills?

Treasury bills, or T-bills, are short-term bonds with terms ranging from four weeks to one year. They offer a fixed interest rate paid upon maturity. T-bills are sold at a discount to their face value, which is the amount you receive when the bill matures. Auctions for T-bills occur weekly for terms under a year and every four weeks for 52-week bills.

Pros and Cons of Investing in Treasury Bills

Pros

• Good for short-term investing: T-bills are ideal for short investment timelines and low-risk investments. As of November 2023, 26-week T-bills had yields over 5%.
• Liquidity: With short maturity periods, you can earn interest relatively quickly. You can also sell a T-bill before it matures without penalty, though there’s no guarantee you’ll recoup your investment.
• Tax benefits: Interest earned is subject to federal income tax but exempt from state and local taxes.

Cons

• Modest returns: Yields were just over 5% as of November 2023, compared to the stock market’s average annual returns of about 10% over the past century.
• Sensitive to rising interest rates: If rates increase after purchasing a T-bill, you’re stuck with a lower rate until maturity.
• Delayed interest payments: Interest is paid only at the end of the term, which may not suit those needing regular income.

What Are Treasury Bonds?

Treasury bonds (T-bonds) are designed for long-term investing, with terms of 20 or 30 years. They pay interest every six months at a fixed rate. As of November 2023, the interest rate on both 20- and 30-year T-bonds was 4.75%. You can purchase T-bonds via auction through TreasuryDirect.gov or through banks, brokers, or dealers. Auctions occur four times a year for original issues and eight times a year for reopenings.

Pros and Cons of Investing in Treasury Bonds

Pros

• Low risk: T-bonds are suitable for conservative investors with a low appetite for risk. They offer stable returns, and it’s highly unlikely you’ll lose money.
• Tax perks: Interest earned is exempt from state and local taxes, though federal taxes are due annually until the bond matures.
• Attractive during retirement: T-bonds can provide regular interest payments and expose you to less risk compared to the stock market.

Cons

• Lackluster returns: CD yields are often higher than T-bonds. As of November 2023, some CD rates were as high as 5.75%.
• Vulnerable to inflation: Over 20 or 30 years, inflation can erode the value of your interest payments.
• Affected by rising interest rates: You’re locked into the bond’s interest rate until maturity, missing out if rates increase.

Treasury Bills vs. Bonds

	Treasury Bonds	Treasury Bills
Best for	Long-term investing	Short-term investing
Time to maturity	20 or 30 years	Four weeks to one year
Interest payment schedule	Fixed payments every six months	Fixed payment when the bill matures
Tax treatment	Federal income tax due annually; exempt from state and local taxes	Interest subject to federal income tax; exempt from state and local taxes
Risk level	Low	Low

The Bottom Line

Both Treasury bonds and Treasury bills are low-risk debt securities issued by the federal government. T-bonds are designed for long-term investing, while T-bills have shorter maturity periods. Both can diversify your investment portfolio and shield you from state and local taxes. The right choice depends on your investment timeline and financial goals. Remember, stock investing, while riskier, is often necessary for long-term growth.

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