Premium Bonds

[DiscoStu]

Do any of you hold premium bonds? I'm very curious having seen the recent ad campaign! Have any of you won anything? And if so, how many bonds do you hold? I'm only going to buy the �100 minimum, but what's the chances of any sort of return?

[DiscoStu]

I've also just looked over previous AB Premium Bond posts. It seems there's quite a few out there with the max �30k investment (lucky them), who are getting regular returns. But not so many ordinary guys with a little spare cash... I'm not looking or expecting to win big. But the odd �50 here or there would do me just fine! Anyone with low investments get any reasonable wins?

[campbellking]

Have had mine for around thirty years and never won a dicky bird. Only have around 25 quids worth, but my brother with the same amount won around 25 quid about twenty years ago

[halfadaily]

national savings who run premium bonds pay out approx' 3% of the total amount held in investments as prize money. Assuming you had a �100 holding this would take about 15 years to earn �50 interest, therefore you could say that any win before your 15 years is up is a bonus.

If you held the maximum of �30,000 then this should yield �900 interest, or �75 a month. All said, it is a gamble, but at least you can get your original investment back although of course you'll miss out on any interest it may have earned in a savings account.

I had �1000 worth a few years back and held them for 2 years and in that time I won �200 so that worked out fine, but of course I may not have won a thing.

Good luck

[spudqueen]

My Gran bought me a �1 premium bond nearly 40 years ago and I've not won a thing with it - but I live in hope!

[Segilla]

I bought a �1 bond the week they were first issued. Now my holding is �30k winning an average of �75 per month, way behind the interest if invested in a BS account, but there is always the chance of a big win.

However I wonder about the impartiality of Ernie. Among irrational wins from other bonds, I hold a �2k bond bought Oct 1988 and another �2k bond bought Nov 1988. They are both prefixed by the same 4 digits.The first has won 14 times the second 4 times. No doubt a statistician would say that this is reasonable but if such person had to raise �2k pdq, would sell bond No 1?!

My suggstion to DiscoStu is to put just a few thousands in Ernie as you can get your money back out quickly.

[Sammy Snake]

I've had �20's worth since 1968. During the 80's I had 4 or 5 �50 wins but nothing before or after that. About 3 years ago I bought another �1000 worth but never won anything and have now cashed them in.

[Lonnie]

I run a P/B syndicate at work, at present, we have 20.000, and we are getting back approximately �150-00 a month, sometimes less, sometimes more, this month exact, but its the same as the lottery, the more you have, the better your chances.

[snook]

Same as Campbellking, I've had �25 worth (I think it is, could be a few quid more) for about thirty years, and never won a penny. Just call me Mr Lucky.

(Just think, the big one might be just around the corner...) ;-)

[fairy!]

I have �250 worth I think... got them for either my 18th or 21st birthday, so either 7 or 4 years ago... anyway... never won a penny :-(

[Five times]

Q) for ronnie. what are the tax implications on a big win for your members. Have you signed an agreement, if so, is it legally binding to avoid tax and can I have a copy of it please?