Premium bonds: odds of a win to get worse from April

The Guardian - World NewsEN 2 min read 100% complete by Rupert JonesFebruary 28, 2026 at 08:00 AM
Premium bonds: odds of a win to get worse from April

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In April, National Savings and Investments (NS&I) will reduce the prize fund rate for premium bonds from 3.6% to 3.3% annually, affecting 22 million holders in Britain. This change will lengthen the odds of winning from 22,000-1 to 23,000-1 per £1 bond. While the total number of prizes will remain around six million, worth £375m, NS&I is decreasing the number of higher-value prizes, such as £100,000 and £25,000 payouts, while increasing the number of £25 prizes. Premium bonds offer tax-free winnings, which benefits higher-rate taxpayers, but they do not pay interest, making them susceptible to inflation. Experts suggest those seeking guaranteed returns should explore higher-interest savings accounts offered by banks and building societies.

Keywords

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Negative
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The Guardian - World News
Classification Confidence
90%
Geographic Perspective
Britain

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