Short-term (4 weeks to 1 year). They don’t pay regular interest; instead, you buy them at a discount and get the full face value at maturity.
You have two main ways to buy these securities, and the "best" one depends on your goals. Option A: TreasuryDirect (The "Source") how to buy us bonds
The Ultimate Guide to Buying U.S. Bonds in 2026 If you’re looking for a sanctuary from market volatility, U.S. government bonds remain the "gold standard" of safety. Backed by the "full faith and credit" of the U.S. government, they have a history of zero defaults, making them an essential anchor for any diversified portfolio. Short-term (4 weeks to 1 year)
Investors who plan to hold their bonds until they mature. Option B: A Private Brokerage (The "Secondary Market") Home — TreasuryDirect Option A: TreasuryDirect (The "Source") The Ultimate Guide
Zero fees or commissions. You can set up "auto-roll" to reinvest maturing bonds automatically.
The website interface is notoriously outdated. It is difficult to sell bonds before they mature; you often have to transfer them to a broker first, which can take months.
Long-term (20 or 30 years). These are the heavy hitters for long-term, fixed-interest income.