As of today, 5 March 2009, the converted paper bond still carries a status of "Restricted Security." However, there is one other difference between that one and the others in my account; this one is held jointly. It's indicated with my name and SS#, then "OR", and my father's name. I don't know if that can trigger the status note.

I am still worried that when I read the TD rules, they indicate "$5,000 per series and TIN per calendar year", without distinguishing between paper and electronic purchases of the same series.

Tom Adams

Both the electronic and paper purchases were made in March 2008, yet the electronic one doesn't have the same status. Still, if you're right, the status on the paper one should change next week. I'll let you know.

Could you check the issue dates and see if that's what's going on? If you have a Jan or Feb 08 I bond that still says "Restricted Security" let me know.

Tom Adams

In 2008, I purchased $5,000 worth of I bonds through TreasuryDirect and $5,000 paper of the same. Then, at the end of the year, I converted the paper to electronic- just to put everything in one place. Now, on the list of converted bonds, I had some others from much earlier years, the 2008 bond is noted with the status of "Restricted Security." None of the others, in the converted or non-converted account indicate this status.

Does this mean that it surpasses the maximum purchase? What should I do?

Thanks very much in advance.

You could only invest an "unlimited" amount in Savings Bonds this way if you had an "unlimited" number of people you were willing to make the first-named owner of your Savings Bonds.

Tom Adams