Premium Bonds savers are rushing to see if they have won this month’s draw via National Savings and Investments’ (NS&I) prize checker, but recent research suggests many Britons have not won anything from the lottery.
Unlike traditional savings accounts that have an interest rate attached, NS&I’s signature product sees bond holders enrolled in a monthly cash prize draw that gives savers the opportunity to win up to £1million.
Smaller cash prizes are up for grabs. NS&I has made results available from today, Thursday, April 2, through its prize checker application and website.
To access the results, savers will need their holder’s number, which consists of either nine or ten digits, or alternatively eight digits followed by a letter.
Man looking at phone and NS&I
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GETTY / NS&I
This information appears on bond records or can be found by logging into an NS&I account. The tool displays not only this month’s winnings but also any previous prizes that remain uncollected.
Those who scooped the £1million jackpot have already been notified directly by Agent Million. According to a Vanguard freedom of information request, approximately one-third of the UK population holds Premium Bonds.
Some 23 million people have invested a combined £135.7 billion in the savings product. For many savers, Premium Bonds represent a straightforward and familiar option for holding cash, with the added reassurance of Government backing.
Rather than receiving interest payments, bondholders are entered into monthly draws for tax-free prizes.
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James Norton, head of retirement and investments at Vanguard Europe, commented: “Premium Bonds can play a useful role as part of a wider savings strategy, particularly for people who value security and accessibility.
“But when money is being set aside for the long-term, it’s important to consider whether it could be working harder through investment, particularly for those hoping to profit from the luck of the draw.”
Despite the popularity of Premium Bonds, a significant proportion of savers have yet to experience a win. Roughly 62 per cent of holders, equating to around 14.3 million people, have never received a prize. The odds are particularly unfavourable for those with modest holdings.
Some 15.1 million bondholders have saved between £0 and £100, where the chances of winning are exceptionally slim.
Do you have Premium Bonds? | NS&I / GETTY
NS&I notes that while more than 99 per cent of prizes have been distributed since the draws commenced in 1957, millions of pounds in winnings still sit unclaimed.
Mr Norton added: “The lesson here is the power of long-term investing and compound returns. There are ways you can set yourself up for the best chance of success, without relying on luck.
“Getting started investing doesn’t have to be complicated. Focus on four key principles: Set a clear goal (e.g. covering a child’s university costs), select a balanced portfolio of investments to meet that goal, and hold it for the long-term at a low cost.
“You can build your own portfolio of investment funds, choose a ready-made portfolio, or if investing feels a little intimidating, you can hand over the keys for an expert to do it for you via a managed service – there are options to suit your preferences.”
