How long to reach face value

How long does it take a savings bond to reach face value? Tom's response If you buy a paper Series EE Savings Bond today, it is guaranteed to reach face value in 20 years, however, it could get there before that if market rates are high enough. Electronic EE bonds and both paper and electronic I bonds are sold at face value. If you're talking about an EE bond you bought in the past, the time to reach face value depends on when you bought it.