Nov 1, 2012 I-Bond Rate

[Sammy_M]

It is pretty clear that the real/fixed rate for I-Bonds will remain at zero for 11/1/2012. Has anyone calculated a projection for the semiannual inflation rate? I am wondering whether to buy now or after the new rate takes effect.

[sscritic]

Can't anyone wait until next week? SSCola, maximum 401(k) contribution, I bond rate, etc., the questions don't stop.
All will be revealed in good time; it's just not good time yet.

September 2012 CPI data are scheduled to be released on October 16, 2012, at 8:30 A.M. Eastern Time.

You won't need a projection once you have the facts.

[Mel Lindauer]

FWIW, if I were buying, I'd be buying now. Don't see how the composite rate could possibly be higher come Nov. 1st.

[shipwreck]

Unless you think the fixed rate will be greater than 0, I would buy now and grab the current rate of 2.2% for 6 months.

[surfer1]

Unless you think the fixed rate will be greater than 0, I would buy now and grab the current rate of 2.2% for 6 months.

Exactly. Max it out. Then buy again, come January. Whatever the fed sets the rate to, it's bound to beat savings accounts and CDs. Unless of course, it goes negative.

[Mel Lindauer]

Unless you think the fixed rate will be greater than 0, I would buy now and grab the current rate of 2.2% for 6 months.

Exactly. Max it out. Then buy again, come January. Whatever the fed sets the rate to, it's bound to beat savings accounts and CDs. Unless of course, it goes negative.

Keep in mind that the composite rate can never go below zero (negative).

[Browser]

Estimated SS COLA is about 1.3%, so you can go from there.

[sscritic]

Estimated SS COLA is about 1.3%, so you can go from there.

This is wrong; well it's not wrong that it's an estimate, but 25% is also an estimate. It's going to be wrong too. Back in July, the Congressional Budget Office had to come up with a number to score a bill in Congress. Knowing almost nothing about the actual numbers, they made up 1.3%.

I suggest you wait until Tuesday.

P.S. The thread from yesterday that stated the same thing has been removed.

[Browser]

Estimated SS COLA is about 1.3%, so you can go from there.

This is wrong; well it's not wrong that it's an estimate, but 25% is also an estimate. It's going to be wrong too. Back in July, the Congressional Budget Office had to come up with a number to score a bill in Congress. Knowing almost nothing about the actual numbers, they made up 1.3%.

I suggest you wait until Tuesday.

P.S. The thread from yesterday that stated the same thing has been removed.

Yeh, I know it was removed because I posted it. Censorship run wild...

[Phineas J. Whoopee]

Unless you think the fixed rate will be greater than 0, I would buy now and grab the current rate of 2.2% for 6 months.

Exactly. Max it out. Then buy again, come January. Whatever the fed sets the rate to, it's bound to beat savings accounts and CDs. Unless of course, it goes negative.

(emphasis added)

Hi surfer1,

I know I'm just being super picky, but the fixed portion of the rate is set by the Treasury Department, not the Fed.

PJW