The National Savings and Investments are urging Brits with Premium Bonds to check their winnings before the year’s final prize draw.
Each bond in the government-backed savings scheme has the potential to win up to £1million every month, with an estimated £87.3 million unclaimed in lost bonds.
Dax Harkins, NS&I chief executive, emphasised: “Remember, the best way to check if you’ve won this month is by using our (prize checker) app, (NS&I) website, or Alexa.”
To use any of the prize checkers, you’ll need your Premium Bond holder’s number.
This number is typically either 9 or 10 digits or 8 digits followed by a letter and can be found through your online account and on any letters from the NS&I.
If you can’t locate it, you can contact the NS&I via phone call or write to the NS&I requesting a replacement Bond record which will have your number.
The prize checkers can reveal how much your bonds have won this month or in the previous six draws, particularly highlighting any prizes you haven’t claimed yet.
Premium Bond holders are also being urged to claim all of their past prizes and organise their accounts ahead of the slew of changes in January 2025.
Andrew Westhead, NS&I Retail Director, remarked: “We carefully review our savings rates in response to changes in the broader market. These adjustments help us meet our Net Financing target while balancing the interests of our savers, taxpayers and the wider financial services sector. Premium Bonds remain a popular choice for millions of savers, backed by the 100% government guarantee, with the January 2025 draw set to deliver over 5.8 million tax-free prizes worth more than £431 million.”
He noted the upcoming January prize draw will be the first featuring a step down from a 4.15% to a 4% prize rate, mirroring the shifts we’re seeing across the savings market.
Moreover, from December 20th, the rate on their Direct Saver will decrease slightly from 3.75% to 3.5%.
Similarly, the Interest on Income Bonds will drop from 3.69% to 3.44% on the same date.
