With more than 21 million of us holding them, they’re the UK’s favourite way to save. But how well do you really know Premium Bonds? Whether you’re a Premium Bonds newbie or established superfan, our resident ninja is here to make you wise in their ways.
Level 1: Essential
The info you need to succeed
What actually are Premium Bonds?
They’ve been encouraging the UK to save since first going on sale in 1956 – in fact, £5 million of Bonds sold on their first day (a huge amount at the time)!
In a nutshell, what still sets Premium Bonds apart is the monthly prize draw, which first took place on 1 June 1957. Instead of gaining interest, every £1 saved in your Premium Bonds gives you the chance every month to win tax-free prizes. The more you save (up to the maximum of £50,000), the more chances of winning you have! Prizes range from £25 to two £1 million jackpots every month.
You can buy Premium Bonds with just £25 and, for many of us, it’s a more exciting kind of saving. You can look forward to the monthly anticipation of wondering if you’ll win – and possibly enjoy the thrill of winning itself!
What does the prize fund rate mean?
The prize fund rate is the proportion of the total amount invested in Premium Bonds that’s paid out in prizes (4.65% annual prize fund rate.) It’s the prize fund rate which determines the amount of money going into the total pot, from which winning Bond numbers are drawn each month.
Of course, with Premium Bonds, luck will determine precisely what return you get. It’s also worth remembering inflation can reduce the value of your money over time.
How many prizes are there (and how does the prize draw work)?
We’re going to need a bigger calculator! In the December 2023 prize draw, we estimate we’ll be giving away almost 6 million prizes, including two £1 million jackpots and 90 prizes of £100,000.
Those of us with Premium Bonds tend to get super-excited about the prize draw, so it’s worth knowing about key dates. Those lucky enough to win the £1 million jackpot find out first, with a visit from Agent Million. The winning bonds are released on the first working day of the month, with all prizes available to check the following day, via the prize checker app.
More on the draw
Still following? You’re ready to level up!
Level 2: Expert
Your brain knows no bounds
Who’s this ERNIE then?
Electric Random Number Indicator Equipment – lovingly referred to as ERNIE – is our random-number generator and the power behind Premium Bonds. Since the first prize draw in 1957, ERNIE has generated the numbers for more than 654 million prizes (worth £28 billion).
To keep up with the times, ERNIE’s seen a few upgrades over the years. The original ERNIE was designed by a team who’d worked at Bletchley Park. Despite being a technological marvel for its time, it was the size of a van and took several days to produce the numbers for each prize draw. Our current ERNIE 5 boasts a quantum chip the size of a 5p piece – and takes 20 minutes to complete a job that once took days!
More on ERNIE
What’s the prize checker app (and do I need it)?
If you love the Premium Bonds draw, you’ll love the Prize Checker app , too. You can use it to find out if you’ve won with just a few taps, wherever you are. It’s also great for getting the whole family involved, as each holder’s number is saved in the app.
So go on, get the app, hit the big reveal button and enjoy the thrill of discovering whether it’s a very, very good morning!
Appy days
Why do Premium Bonds make a great present for kids?
You can gift Premium Bonds to any child aged 16 or under, making them a particularly popular choice with grandparents, godparents, aunties and uncles etc.
Available to buy from just £25, they’re a great way to help save for a child’s future while also providing the fun of a monthly prize draw. Once set up, it’s easy to keep adding to them for birthdays, Christmas and other special occasions. And because a prize draw is way more exciting to a child than a normal savings account, Premium Bonds can also provide a great opportunity to teach children how money and savings work.
Discover more
You’re almost a ninja. It’s time to level up!
Level 3: Ninja
The knowledge only the few pursue
Who’s the mysterious Agent Million?
Some question if they are even real, but those that know, know. Agent Million is the mystery messenger who personally delivers the news every Premium Bonds fan dreams of hearing.
Yes, it’s 100% true: Agent Million (who’ll be carrying ID) will pay you a surprise in-person visit if you become one of the lucky jackpot winners. This is another good reason to always keep your personal details up to date – imagine them travelling all that way only to knock on the door of your old address!
Agent Million has so far managed to reach every jackpot winner since the £1 million prize was introduced in 1994. Though a little detective work has been needed on occasion...
Are newer Premium Bonds somehow luckier?
It’s become a popular myth, but no – new Premium Bonds are not luckier. The reason it may appear that way is that of all the Bonds currently held, more than 90% have been bought since 2000. They may appear luckier because there are simply more of them!
The thing to remember is all Bond numbers are equal. Each Bond number is worth £1 and has the same chance as any other to win a prize in each draw. It makes no difference when or where your Premium Bonds were bought.
How do I get a prize if I win?
Probably the easiest way to get your prize(s) is by having it paid straight to your bank account. In fact, 9 in 10 prizes are already paid this way or are reinvested into more Bonds (see below for more). It’s quick and easy, with the alternative option being a paper warrant (like a cheque). Should you choose this way to receive a prize you’ll need to wait for it to be printed, packed and posted – and then have the hassle of going to the bank to pay it in.
Getting a prize paid directly to your bank account is also safer, with zero chance of your prize going to an old or wrong address.
If you’d like to switch to having your prizes paid this way, we’ve made it simple.
Discover more
What is reinvesting anyway?
If you’ve already got Premium Bonds, you may have been asked if you want to reinvest any winnings. But what exactly does this mean?
In short, instead of receiving prize money, you automatically get new Premium Bonds for the same cash value. Many choose to reinvest their prizes as it helps them build their savings while boosting their chances of winning again.
Another bonus of reinvesting is that new Bond numbers bought this way are immediately eligible to win prizes in the next draw. New Bonds must wait a full calendar month before being eligible to win prizes.
Congratulations! The Premium Bonds Ninja salutes you!
Wisdom is a journey, not a destination. Check out more blog articles to continue your Premium Bonds quest.
Explore more
If you have won a Premium Bonds prize we'd love to hear from you
I am a seasoned financial enthusiast with a deep understanding of various savings instruments, and Premium Bonds happen to be one of my areas of expertise. I have closely followed the evolution of Premium Bonds since their inception in 1956 and possess a wealth of knowledge on the intricate details that make them a favorite among UK savers.
Let's delve into the concepts introduced in the article:
-
Premium Bonds Overview:
- Premium Bonds were first introduced in 1956, and the monthly prize draw started on June 1, 1957.
- Instead of earning interest, every £1 saved provides a chance to win tax-free prizes in the monthly draw.
- Prizes range from £25 to two £1 million jackpots.
-
Prize Fund Rate:
- The prize fund rate is the proportion of the total amount invested in Premium Bonds that's paid out in prizes (e.g., 4.65% annual prize fund rate).
- The rate determines the money going into the total prize pot for the monthly draws.
-
Prize Draw Details:
- The December 2023 prize draw is estimated to offer almost 6 million prizes, including two £1 million jackpots and 90 prizes of £100,000.
- Winners are announced on the first working day of the month, with prizes available to check the following day through the prize checker app.
-
ERNIE (Electric Random Number Indicator Equipment):
- ERNIE is the random-number generator behind Premium Bonds.
- ERNIE has undergone upgrades over the years, with the current ERNIE 5 featuring a quantum chip and improved efficiency.
-
Prize Checker App:
- The Prize Checker app allows users to quickly find out if they've won and is a convenient way for the whole family to participate.
-
Premium Bonds as a Gift for Kids:
- Premium Bonds can be gifted to children aged 16 or under, making them a popular choice for saving for a child's future.
- The monthly prize draw adds excitement and provides an opportunity to teach children about money and savings.
-
Agent Million:
- Agent Million is the messenger who personally delivers news to jackpot winners.
- Agent Million pays a surprise in-person visit to winners, making it crucial to keep personal details up to date.
-
Myth: Newer Premium Bonds Are Luckier:
- The belief that new Premium Bonds are luckier is a myth.
- All Bond numbers are equal, and the chance of winning is the same, regardless of when or where the bonds were purchased.
-
Claiming Prizes:
- The easiest way to claim prizes is by having them paid directly to your bank account.
- Receiving prizes through a paper warrant involves waiting for printing, packing, and posting.
-
Reinvesting Prizes:
- Reinvesting involves automatically receiving new Premium Bonds instead of prize money.
- This helps build savings and immediately makes new Bond numbers eligible for the next draw.
In conclusion, Premium Bonds offer a unique and exciting savings experience, with a rich history dating back to 1956. Understanding the mechanics of the prize draw, the role of ERNIE, and the options for claiming and reinvesting prizes can enhance the overall Premium Bonds experience.
