Retail bond programmes that ended: when governments stopped selling bonds to individuals
Short answer: We checked at the issuer when 22 government bond programmes and products for individuals in 14 countries stopped selling. Germany stopped issuing Bundesschatzbriefe on 31 Dec 2012, Sweden sold its last premium bonds in April 2016, Canada stopped selling Canada Savings Bonds as of 1 November 2017 and Russia suspended its OFZ-n for individuals in March 2022. Where governments still sell bonds to individuals, single products ended too: NS&I index-linked savings certificates in 2011 and paper US savings bonds at banks at the end of 2011.
Programmes for individuals that ended
The programme itself closed: the government stopped selling this kind of bond to individuals, and no retail product took its place, or the issue was a one-off.
| Country | Programme | On sale from | Sales ended | What came after | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estonia | 3.3% two-year government bond, public offer to individuals (one-off) | 28 Aug 2024 | 9 Sep 2024 | No new offer to individuals announced; the bond matured on 16 Sep 2026. | fin.ee |
| Cameroon | Public bond offers of the State (ECMR), open to individuals | 2010 | Jun 2023 (last offer) | No later public offer of the State found. | bvm-ac.org |
| Chad | Public bond offers of the State, open to individuals | 2011 | Dec 2022 (last offer) | No later public offer of the State found. | bvm-ac.org |
| Russia | OFZ-n, federal loan bonds for individuals | Apr 2017 | Mar 2022 (suspended) | No product for individuals only; the ministry says individuals can buy other OFZ on the secondary market and at primary placement. | minfin.gov.ru |
| Republic of the Congo | Public bond offers of the State (EOCG), open to individuals | not found | Mar 2021 (last offer) | No later public offer found; the last one matured on 23 Mar 2026. | bvm-ac.org |
| Malaysia | Sukuk Prihatin, retail sukuk (one-off) | 18 Aug 2020 | 17 Sep 2020 | No later retail issue found; the 2027 budget speech announced a tokenised retail savings sukuk, with no date. | mof.gov.my |
| Canada | Canada Savings Bonds | 1946 | 31 Oct 2017 | Nothing; no longer sold as of 1 Nov 2017. All bonds have since matured. | budget.canada.ca |
| Canada | Canada Premium Bonds | 1998 | 31 Oct 2017 | Nothing; no longer available as of 1 Nov 2017 and no further sales campaigns. | csb.gc.ca (archived) |
| Jordan | Individual savings bonds of the Central Bank of Jordan (two issues) | 25 May 2016 | 19 Jan 2017 (last window) | No later issue for individuals on the central bank’s page. | cbj.gov.jo |
| Sweden | Premium bonds (premieobligationer) | 1918 | 19 Apr 2016 (last sale) | Nothing. Issuance paused in Dec 2016 and not resumed; the last bond was repaid on 2 Dec 2021. | riksgalden.se |
| Germany | Bundesschatzbriefe (federal savings bonds) | 1969 | 31 Dec 2012 | Nothing; individuals buy listed federal securities through banks and savings banks. | deutsche-finanzagentur.de |
| Germany | Finanzierungsschätze (federal discount paper) | 1975 | 31 Dec 2012 | Nothing; the last issue was repaid in Dec 2014. | deutsche-finanzagentur.de |
| Germany | Tagesanleihe (daily-interest federal bond) | 1 Jul 2008 | 31 Dec 2012 | Only interest from other federal securities could be reinvested until 31 Dec 2019; then it was repaid. | deutsche-finanzagentur.de |
Products that ended where retail bonds are still sold
The country still sells government bonds to individuals, but this product or sales channel ended.
| Country | Programme | On sale from | Sales ended | What came after | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mauritius | 3.5% Four-Year Savings Bond | 15 Oct 2024 | 14 Feb 2025 | The Retirement Savings Bond for residents aged 50 to 65, on sale 15 Oct to 23 Dec 2026. | bom.mu |
| United States | Paper Series I bonds bought with a tax refund | 2010 | 31 Dec 2024 | Not possible as of 1 Jan 2025; electronic I bonds in TreasuryDirect only. | treasurydirect.gov |
| Czechia | Dluhopis Republiky, subscription windows 2018 to 2021 | 3 Dec 2018 | 23 Dec 2021 | Paused in Jan 2022; sales to individuals resumed on 14 May 2026. | mf.gov.cz |
| Czechia | Savings government bonds (spořicí státní dluhopisy) | 3 Oct 2011 | 4 Jun 2014 | A pause; sales to individuals resumed as Dluhopis Republiky on 3 Dec 2018. | dluhopisy.gov.cz |
| United States | Paper savings bonds sold at banks | not found | 31 Dec 2011 | Electronic EE and I bonds in TreasuryDirect; paper I bonds only with a tax refund (until 2025). | treasurydirect.gov |
| United Kingdom | NS&I Index-linked Savings Certificates | 2 Jun 1975 | 6 Sep 2011 | Renewals of maturing certificates only. | nsandi-corporate.com (archived) |
| United States | Series HH savings bonds | 1980 | 31 Aug 2004 | No successor; Treasury pointed holders to bills, notes, EE or I bonds. | treasurydirect.gov |
| United States | Series E savings bonds | May 1941 | Jun 1980 | Series EE savings bonds, issued from 1980. | treasurydirect.gov |
| United States | Series H savings bonds | Jun 1952 | Dec 1979 | Series HH savings bonds, issued from 1980. | treasurydirect.gov |
What the issuers said
One sentence per programme from the source in the table. Quotes marked “our translation” are translated from German, Swedish, Czech, Russian, Estonian, Arabic or French.
- Estonia, 3.3% two-year government bond, public offer to individuals (one-off): “In September 2024 the Republic of Estonia issued two hundred million euros of two-year government bonds maturing on 16 September 2026. In total 28 professional and 7,304 retail investors took part in the public offering.” (our translation) Ministry of Finance of Estonia. Also: Republic of Estonia, investor presentation of August 2024 (subscription 28.08.2024 to 09.09.2024).
- Cameroon, Public bond offers of the State (ECMR), open to individuals: “The subscription period is planned from 13 to 30 June 2023.” (our translation) State of Cameroon, offer document published by the Central African stock exchange (BVMAC).
- Chad, Public bond offers of the State, open to individuals: “The subscription period is planned from 12 to 20 December 2022.” (our translation) State of Chad, offer document published by the Central African stock exchange (BVMAC). Also: Central African stock exchange (BVMAC), issuer sheet of the State of Chad (first issue 2011-2016).
- Russia, OFZ-n, federal loan bonds for individuals: “There are no plans to resume placement of these bonds, which has been suspended since March 2022. Individuals can buy other types of OFZ both on the secondary market and at primary placement.” (our translation) Ministry of Finance of Russia, 27 Dec 2022. Also: Ministry of Finance of Russia, presentation of OFZ-n as a new savings instrument, 20 Apr 2017.
- Republic of the Congo, Public bond offers of the State (EOCG), open to individuals: “The subscription period is planned from 12 to 20 March 2021. This offering is intended for natural and legal persons of the CEMAC member countries, and for international investors in accordance with the laws in force in their countries of residence.” (our translation) Republic of the Congo, offer document published by the Central African stock exchange (BVMAC). Also: Central African stock exchange (BVMAC), notice 010/2026: the bond matured on 23 March 2026.
- Malaysia, Sukuk Prihatin, retail sukuk (one-off): “The subscription period opened on 18 August 2020 and closed on 17 September 2020.” Ministry of Finance Malaysia, 20 Sep 2020. Also: Ministry of Finance Malaysia, 2027 budget speech of 9 Oct 2026 (tokenised retail savings sukuk).
- Canada, Canada Savings Bonds: “Given the decreasing popularity of Canada Savings Bonds among Canadians and following a review of the Program, the Government of Canada will discontinue the sales of new Canada Savings Bonds in 2017.” Government of Canada, Budget 2017. Also: Canada Savings Bonds site (Bank of Canada as fiscal agent): end of sale as of 1 November 2017, payroll contributions until 31 October 2017, archived copy. Also: Bank of Canada: all Canada Savings Bonds and Canada Premium Bonds have reached maturity.
- Canada, Canada Premium Bonds: “Canada Premium Bonds are no longer available for purchase as of November 1, 2017.” Canada Savings Bonds site (Bank of Canada as fiscal agent), archived copy. Also: Canada Savings Bonds site, history: “1998: Introduction of the Canada Premium Bond”, archived copy.
- Jordan, Individual savings bonds of the Central Bank of Jordan (two issues): “Subscription and submission of applications open from 20/11/2016 until 19/1/2017.” (our translation) Central Bank of Jordan.
- Sweden, Premium bonds (premieobligationer): “Because Riksgälden does not see conditions for resuming issuance, the last outstanding premium bonds will mature at the end of 2021.” (our translation) Riksgälden (Swedish National Debt Office), 28 Sep 2018. Also: Riksgälden, loan 2016:1 (sale period 6 to 19 April 2016). Also: Riksgälden, annual report 2016: board decision of 13 December 2016 not to issue premium bonds until further notice. Also: Riksgälden: the last outstanding premium bond was repaid on 2 December 2021.
- Germany, Bundesschatzbriefe (federal savings bonds): “The issuance of new Bundesschatzbriefe was discontinued as of 31 December 2012.” (our translation) Finanzagentur (German Finance Agency). Also: Finanzagentur, history (start years of the retail products). Also: Finanzagentur, press release 22/12 of 22 Nov 2012: federal securities can still be bought through banks and savings banks.
- Germany, Finanzierungsschätze (federal discount paper): “The issuance of new Finanzierungsschätze was discontinued as of 31 December 2012.” (our translation) Finanzagentur (German Finance Agency). Also: Finanzagentur, history (start years of the retail products).
- Germany, Tagesanleihe (daily-interest federal bond): “The issuance of new units of the Tagesanleihe was discontinued as of 31 December 2012.” (our translation) Finanzagentur (German Finance Agency). Also: Finanzagentur, history (start years of the retail products).
- Mauritius, 3.5% Four-Year Savings Bond: “The Bank hereby informs the public that the sale of the above bond will cease on 14 February 2025.” Bank of Mauritius, 13 Feb 2025. Also: Bank of Mauritius, Four-Year Savings Bond prospectus: issue opens on 15 October 2024. Also: Bank of Mauritius, Retirement Savings Bond prospectus of 5 Oct 2026.
- United States, Paper Series I bonds bought with a tax refund: “As of January 1, 2025, you are no longer able to buy paper Series I savings bonds with your tax refund.” TreasuryDirect (US Treasury).
- Czechia, Dluhopis Republiky, subscription windows 2018 to 2021: “The Ministry of Finance has temporarily suspended the start of a further subscription period.” (our translation) Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic, 6 Jan 2022. Also: Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic, first subscription period 3 Dec 2018 to 18 Jan 2019. Also: Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic, 14 May 2026 (sales resumed).
- Czechia, Savings government bonds (spořicí státní dluhopisy): “The last day for submitting subscription and reinvestment requests for savings government bonds was set at 4 June 2014.” (our translation) Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic. Also: Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic, pilot issue: subscription from 3 Oct 2011. Also: Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic, Dluhopis Republiky: first subscription period from 3 Dec 2018.
- United States, Paper savings bonds sold at banks: “As of January 1, 2012, paper savings bonds will no longer be sold at financial institutions.” Bureau of the Public Debt (US Treasury), 13 Jul 2011.
- United Kingdom, NS&I Index-linked Savings Certificates: “NS&I’s website and call centres stopped taking new sales of Savings Certificates at close of business on 6 September 2011.” NS&I, 7 Sep 2011, archived copy. Also: NS&I, current page: “Index-linked Savings Certificates are no longer on sale”. Also: NS&I: certificates bought “between 2 June 1975 and 7 October 1996” (Issues 1 to 9).
- United States, Series HH savings bonds: “Series HH Savings Bonds would no longer be offered to the public after August 31, 2004.” Bureau of the Public Debt (US Treasury), 18 Feb 2004.
- United States, Series E savings bonds: “Series E. Issue Dates: May 1941 – June 1980.” TreasuryDirect (US Treasury). Also: TreasuryDirect, savings bond timeline: “1980 Series EE were issued”.
- United States, Series H savings bonds: “Series H. Issue Dates: June 1952 – December 1979.” TreasuryDirect (US Treasury). Also: TreasuryDirect, savings bond timeline.
How we checked
Every date comes from the issuer, the ministry of finance, the debt agency or the central bank, read on 13 November 2026. Where the official page no longer exists (NS&I press releases, the Canada Savings Bonds site), we read the copy of that same official page in the Internet Archive. “Last offer” or “last window” means the latest subscription period an official source shows; for Cameroon, Chad, the Republic of the Congo and Jordan no official statement says the programme ended. “Sales ended” is the last day of sales: where a source says a bond is no longer sold as of a date, we give the day before. Dates are as precise as the source: a month where the source gives only a month. Countries whose retail sales paused and then resumed under a new name are not listed as ended. The list covers programmes we could confirm, not every retail bond that ever existed.
What governments sell to individuals today, country by country, is in our dataset of retail government bonds in 195 countries.
You may reuse the tables on this page under the CC BY 4.0 licence: credit obrotomierz.pl with a link to this page.
Frequently asked questions
When did Germany stop selling Bundesschatzbriefe?
The Finanzagentur stopped issuing new Bundesschatzbriefe, Finanzierungsschätze and units of the Tagesanleihe as of 31 December 2012. Since then individuals buy listed federal securities through banks and savings banks.
When did Canada Savings Bonds end?
Budget 2017 announced the end of the programme, and Canada Savings Bonds and Canada Premium Bonds were no longer sold as of 1 November 2017. Payroll purchases were accepted until 31 October 2017.
Can you still buy NS&I Index-linked Savings Certificates?
No. NS&I stopped taking new sales at close of business on 6 September 2011. Holders can only renew certificates that mature.
Does Sweden still sell premium bonds?
No. The last premium bond loan (2016:1) was sold from 6 to 19 April 2016, Riksgälden paused issuance in December 2016 and said in September 2018 that it would not resume. The last outstanding bond was repaid on 2 December 2021.
Can you still buy paper US savings bonds?
No. Banks stopped selling paper savings bonds as of 1 January 2012, and buying paper I bonds with a tax refund ended as of 1 January 2025. Savings bonds are now sold only electronically in TreasuryDirect.
Related
- What all 195 countries sell to individuals
- Retail government bonds in the United States
- Retail government bonds in Czechia
- Retail government bonds in the United Kingdom
By Rafał Błażewski, obrotomierz.pl. Dates checked at the official sources on 13 November 2026 (2026-11-13). We show what governments sold and do not recommend any product; we earn nothing from government bonds.