How do they work?

Where can I buy Prize Bonds?

Can I purchase Prize Bonds as a Gift?

I have Prize Bonds for 40 years, what has happened to them?

When are the draws?

How do I know if I've won a prize?

How do they work?
Prize Bonds are purchased in units of 6.25. There is a minimum purchase of 4 units costing 25.

Each eligible Prize Bond is entered into a weekly draw with prizes ranging in value.

The top monthly prize is 1 MILLION and is awarded in the last draw of every month. A top weekly prize of 20,000 is awarded each week, other than when the monthly 1 MILLION prize is awarded. Over 7,000 75 prizes are also awarded each week.

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Where can I buy Prize Bonds?
Prize Bonds can be purchased by

1. Monthly Direct Debit – form available online at www.StateSavings.ie

2. Online – www.StateSavings.ie

3. Telephone - State Savings ™ 1850 30 50 60.
Our agent will record your details. Payment by Debit Card (Laser, Maestro or Visa Debit).

4. Freepost Application Form – print an application form from www.StateSavings.ie.
Complete it and mail it to State Savings, GPO, Dublin 1 (no stamp required)
or deliver it to

5. Any Post Office

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Can I purchase Prize Bonds as a Gift?
Yes, Prize Bonds are an excellent gift idea. Use any of options 2 to 4 above.

When purchasing at the Post Office, you may ask for a gift wallet into which you can place your receipt. The receipt has the value of the purchase and the recipient's name on it. You can then give this gift wallet to the recipient. The actual Prize Bonds will issue within 7 to 10 working days.

When purchasing online www.StateSavings.ie, you can print a Gift Certificate. This certificate has the purchasers name, the recipient's name and the value of the purchase. You can give this certificate to the recipient. The actual Prize Bonds will issue within 7 to 10 working days.

Please remember to give the Gift Certificate/Receipt to the recipient, as the issued Bond Certificate only shows the Bond holder name.

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I have Prize Bonds for 40 years, what has happened to them?
Your Prize Bonds are included in every draw until you cash them in. All Prize Bonds, regardless of
how old they are, stand an equal chance, relevant to the unit value, of winning a prize in every draw.
Even if one of your Prize Bonds wins a prize it is included in every draw after that.

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When are the draws?
The draws take place every Friday and the results are published at lunchtime – around 12.30pm.

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How do I know if I've won a prize?
All prize winners are contacted following each draw. In order to maintain confidentiality and security, correspondence is sent in plain envelopes. Unless you request otherwise your prize winnings are automatically used to purchase new prize bonds in your name.

To ensure that you can be notified of any winnings, it is important that you inform us if you change address.

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What happens to unclaimed prizes?
Very few prizes are not claimed, but if someone does not claim their prize within 6 months of the draw date, the prize is entered onto our unclaimed prizes database. The prize is then held until the holder comes forward to claim it.

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How do I cash in my Prize Bonds?
Prize Bonds can be cashed in at any time after an initial holding period of three months.
Simply complete a repayment form (available online at www.StateSavings.ie or at any Post Office) and send it to State Savings, GPO, Dublin 1.

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How many can I buy?
Prize Bonds are purchased in units of €6.25, with a minimum purchase of 4 units for €25.

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Do I pay tax on my winnings?
No. In Ireland all Prize Bond winnings are completely tax-free and are not liable to D.I.R.T. (Deposit Interest Retention Tax), Income Tax, or Capital Gains Tax.

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How many prizes are there?
There are over 7,000 prizes in every weekly draw. The following is the prize structure:

€1 MILLION Prize - awarded on the last Friday of every month).
€20,000 - awarded each week other than when the €1 MILLION prize is awarded.
€1,000 - 5 Prizes each week
€250 - 10 Prizes each week
€75 - over 7,000 each week

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Are the prize winners announced?
All Prize Bond winners are notified. Neither the names or addresses of winners are published.
Winners are listed on our website www.StateSavings.ie

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Can Prize Bonds be transferred?
Yes. Telephone State Savings™ on 1850 30 50 60 and choose option 5 and then option 2 and ask for the Transfer of Bonds form. Transfers can be made for any €6.25 unit or multiple thereof.

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What happens to my Prize Bonds if I die?
Prize Bonds registered in the name of a Bondholder who has died may be payable to the nearest
living relative (Next-of-Kin) or to the Legal Personal Representative of the Estate.

Bonds may be re-invested in the purchase of new Bond numbers.
Bonds may be transferred to other persons.

If you are dealing with the estate of a Deceased Bondholder, you should write to
State Savings, GPO, Dublin 1

Enclose the relevant Bond Certificates together with a note requesting one of the above options.
You must be able to show

1. Proof of Death: by supplying one of the following original documents containing the date of
death:

• Death certificate
• Memoriam Card
• Newspaper Obituary Notice

2. Last Will & Testament - where there is a will available the original or a certified copy of this
document should be enclosed to verify who is/are the executor(s) of the Estate.

3. Grant of Representation - if available, enclose the original or a certified copy.

4. Full details of all variations of names and addresses used by the Deceased at any time since
March 1957, when the Prize Bonds scheme began.

On receipt of your letter, we will conduct a full search of the records based on the information you have supplied and will respond in writing as soon as possible, giving a statement of the value of the Bonds registered in the name of the Deceased, and enclosing the relevant forms which should be completed and signed by:

1. The nearest living relative (Next-of-Kin); or
2. The Legal Personal Representative(s) as declared in the documents governing the Estate.

The necessary forms are available at www.StateSavings.ie State Savings ™ on 1850 30 50 60.

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What are the chances to win a prize if you have for example €1,000 invested?
A customer with 1,000 invested has a 3.6 to 1 chance of winning a cash prize in a 12 month period.

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Do I have any statutory requirements?
In accordance with the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act, 2010, purchasers must supply their date of birth and must provide documentary proof of (1) name and (2) address.

In accordance with the Finance Act 2004 purchasers who do not already hold Prize Bonds will be asked to provide proof of (1) name, (2) address, (3) country of residency and (4) tax reference number (or place and date of birth if a tax reference number is not available), in the event of winning a prize.

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Is my Prize Bond included in every draw?
A registered bond is included in every draw until it is encashed. With Prize Bonds you are eligible to win not just once, but every week for as long as you hold your bonds. Each individual bond is eligible to win one prize in every draw.

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Any other queries?