How Often Is Interest Paid on Treasury Bills (T-Bills)?

Name: How Often Is Interest Paid on Treasury Bills (T-Bills)?
Uploaded: 2026-06-04T00:00:00Z
Duration: 36 s
Description: Learn how interest on T-Bills is paid and why they are issued at a discount instead of paying periodic interest.

Learn how interest on T-Bills is paid and why they are issued at a discount instead of paying periodic interest.

Published Jun 4, 2026

Video transcript

T-Bills, or Treasury Bills, do not pay periodic interest. Instead, they are issued at a discount to their face value and mature at par. The difference between the purchase price and the face value is the interest earned. This makes T-Bills an attractive option for short-term investments, typically maturing in one year or less. Investors opting for T-Bills should be aware of this unique interest mechanism.

Questions and answers

Do Treasury Bills pay interest periodically?
No, Treasury Bills do not pay periodic interest. Instead, they are sold at a discount and mature at their full face value, with the difference representing the interest earned.
What is the maturity period for T-Bills?
T-Bills typically mature in one year or less, making them short-term government securities.
How is the interest on T-Bills calculated?
Interest on T-Bills is the difference between the discounted purchase price and the amount paid at maturity (face value).
Why are T-Bills considered safe investments?
T-Bills are backed by the U.S. government, making them low-risk, short-term investments favored by conservative investors.