I Bonds Rate May 2026: 4.26% for 6 Months — Your Inflation Hedge Window Opens Now

# I Bonds Rate May 2026: 4.26% for 6 Months — Your Inflation Hedge Window Opens Now

> **Quick answer:** The U.S. Treasury set the new I Bond composite rate at 4.26% for bonds purchased May 1 through October 31, 2026. The rate combines a 0.90% fixed rate — locked in permanently at purchase — with a 3.36% variable inflation component tied to CPI through March 2026. You can buy up to $10,000 per person annually at TreasuryDirect.gov. The rate is guaranteed for your first six months, then resets based on new CPI data.

The May 2026 I Bond rate jumped to 4.26%, up from 4.03% in April, driven by an April CPI reading of 3.8% — the highest inflation print of the year so far. For savers watching their purchasing power erode while the Fed holds rates steady, this window matters. Here is exactly what changed, who benefits most, and the step-by-step process to lock in the rate before October 31.

*This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Consult a qualified financial advisor for personal financial decisions.*

## What Drove the I Bond Rate to 4.26% in May 2026

The composite rate on Series I savings bonds resets every May 1 and November 1. Treasury calculates it using a fixed rate plus a variable inflation component that tracks the non-seasonally adjusted Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U).