United States Savings Bonds; Extension of Holding Period; Correction

We published a final rule in the Federal Register of January 17, 2003, increasing the period of time that owners of United States Series EE and I Savings Bonds must hold their bonds before the bonds are eligible for redemption. The mandatory holding period increased from 6 months to 12 months for bonds purchased on or after February 1, 2003. Although the rule correctly references the February 1, 2003 date for bonds affected by the increased holding period, the rule stated that bonds issued December 1, 2002, or earlier, are unaffected by the change and continue to retain the 6 months holding period. The rule should have stated that bonds issued January 1, 2003, or earlier, will continue to retain the 6 months holding period. This document corrects that misstatement.