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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Choose a Treasury security by matching its maturity to when you may need the money, deciding whether you want interest payments along the way, and considering whether you might sell before maturity. Bills suit shorter-term cash needs; notes and bonds pay interest every six months but expose an early seller to changing market prices. This is general education, not individualized investment advice.
How bills, notes, and bonds differ
Treasury bills, notes, and bonds are marketable U.S. government securities. Their main differences are how long they run and when they pay cash. TreasuryDirect lists the following current terms, accessed in 2026:
| Security | Current standard terms | How cash is paid | Useful selection question |
|---|---|---|---|
| Treasury bill | 4, 6, 8, 13, 17, 26, or 52 weeks | Sold at a discount or at par; face value is paid at maturity. The difference between the purchase price and face value is the bill’s interest. (TreasuryDirect) | Will you need the money within about a year? |
| Treasury note | 2, 3, 5, 7, or 10 years | Fixed interest rate set at auction, paid every six months. (TreasuryDirect) | When in the next decade should the money be available, and would semiannual income help? |
| Treasury bond | 20 or 30 years | Fixed interest rate set at auction, paid every six months. (TreasuryDirect) | Is this long-term money, and can you accept more exposure to market-price changes before maturity? |
Treasury bonds are not the same as U.S. savings bonds; TreasuryDirect distinguishes the two products (TreasuryDirect).
How to choose a Treasury maturity
Start with the date the money may be needed
For money expected to be spent soon, a bill’s short term can reduce the wait until principal is due. For a known future expense, compare note or bond maturities close to that date. This is a planning approach, not a guarantee against loss: if you sell before maturity, the amount you receive depends on the market price at the time.
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Decide when you want cash flow
A bill pays its face value at maturity; its discount is reflected in the difference between what you paid and what you receive. Notes and bonds instead pay interest every six months. A quoted coupon is not the same as the security’s yield or its total return if you sell at a price different from par (TreasuryDirect).
Ask whether an early sale is plausible
Treasury marketable securities can be transferred or sold before maturity, but that does not guarantee a particular sale price. For a note or bond, price can be above or below face value depending on how its fixed interest rate compares with the market yield to maturity. If current yield is higher than the coupon, the price is below par; if it is lower, the price is above par (TreasuryDirect). The longer-term bond’s 20- or 30-year maturity means more time before principal is due, so consider carefully whether you can keep the money invested or tolerate a potentially different sale price.
Should you buy Treasury bills or notes?
For a shorter cash horizon, compare bills with a maturity near the expected spending date. For money that can remain invested for several years, a note may fit if its maturity aligns with the goal and semiannual interest payments suit your cash-flow needs. The choice is not simply between a “safer” and “riskier” product: all three are Treasury obligations, while maturity, payment timing, and the consequences of an early sale differ.
How taxes affect the comparison
Treasury interest and bill discount earnings are subject to federal tax and exempt from state and local income taxes, according to TreasuryDirect. Check current tax instructions for reporting details, particularly if considering TIPS (TreasuryDirect). Your tax situation can affect which cash-flow pattern is more useful, so do not assume the tax treatment alone determines the best maturity.
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When to consider TIPS instead
Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) are a related option if inflation-linked principal matters. Their principal adjusts with inflation and deflation. They pay interest every six months, and the interest amount can vary because it is calculated on adjusted principal. That structure differs from the conventional fixed-principal notes and bonds discussed above (TreasuryDirect).
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where to buy and what to check first
Treasury securities are sold through public auctions and are available through banks and brokerages (TreasuryDirect). Auction schedules, yields, and prices change, so consult Treasury’s current auction calendar and recent auction results before choosing a purchase date or relying on a rate. The U.S. government’s full-faith-and-credit backing addresses the issuer’s obligation; it does not keep the resale price fixed if you sell early (Investor.gov).
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