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NS&I: Premium Bond reviews

Name: Premium Bond
Rating: 2.94 (145 reviews)

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2.80

Based on 145 reviews, last reviewed 23rd May 2025

100% decrease in 5 star reviews

in the past 90 days

100% decrease in 1 star reviews

in the past 90 days

35%

13%

44%

Latest highest rating:

4

Since early 1960’s. I bought £30 worth in the early 1960s (when they were £1) and have had several wins of £25.. Last December I won £25 and this April another £25. Jus... Read more Reviewed on: 23rd May 2025

Latest lowest rating:

1

40k in premium bonds for 5 months and only won £175. 40k in premium bonds for 5 months and only won £175. 3 months won nothing. Much better off in shares or high interest savings account. Reviewed on: 6th March 2025

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About this product

NS&I bond reviews are honest reviews written by people like you. While many people look at the interest rates on offer, what about the NS&I's customer service? Smart Money People is fast becoming the UK's leading source of independent NS&I bond reviews. We need your help! By writing your honest reviews, you can help increase trust and transparency in the financial world.

NS&I Premium Bond reviews (145)

Review of the NS&I, Premium Bond:

Since early 1960’s.

I bought £30 worth in the early 1960s (when they were £1) and have had several wins of £25.. Last December I won £25 and this April another £25. Just luck of the draw.. I now have £575 in as I leave them to be reinvested, and am thinking of putting more money into them.. It’s nice when you receive an envelope telling you that you have won £25. Reviewed on: 23rd May 2025

Trust the low reviews

I'm fully aware it's possible to have a good experience with NS&I, but it's really luck of the draw whether you are going to be able to withdraw your money smoothly with no problems or whether you are going to face a real challenge accessing your money. I had a significant amount of savings in an NS&I account, and I won some money from those bonds over the years. If the money sits in the bonds and doesn't move, you probably won't experience any problems. I experienced one potential worst nightmare when buying a property which is I was unable to withdraw my money from NS&I. The situation was too long to explain fully but the highlights were: You cannot reset your password online, they send a reset password via post. Apparently their identity check service doesn't work for some young people due to lack of credit history. (I've had a credit card and a mortgage, so not sure what constitutes a necessary length of credit history to them) In order to complete the online form to withdraw your money without access to your online account you need a specific number (holders number), which is not sent to you in any correspondence via email. (Or at least it wasn't to me) It took a lot of stress and communications with my bank to find this holder's number in the original reference for the payment sent to NS&I originally. Customer Service were completely unhelpful. And even though I complained with suggestions of how to improve their service such as changing their id check provider so young people can complete the check, or resetting password online, they decided that they were in the right and there were no improvements to make. Reviewed on: 28th February 2023

In 3 years few times £10 and the last one £100 pounds win

Didn’t big win waiting about 3 or 4 years Reviewed on: 25th February 2023

Great as an emergency fund

You really need to invest a five digit amount for premium bonds to be worth it, and you won't earn as much as by investing in stocks and shares, but the ease of access makes it the perfect fit for an emergency fund. It's also fun to check if you've won each month. And the prospect of having a small chance of becoming a millionaire is exciting. Returns are much better than entering the National Lottery. Reviewed on: 24th February 2023

They are Best

It's a good way for save money for children future without paying any fees or tax. And easy to transfer money in app. Reviewed on: 18th February 2023

Total nightmare - stay well clear

6 months trying to access and with draw y children's money, they throw every obstacle at you so that you just don't bother 40 minuets on hold every time when phoning mindless forms that keep getting repeatedly sent. STILL NO MONEY Reviewed on: 17th February 2023

Good investment

Premium bonds are a good long-term investment. It's easy to set up or invest more money, the app works well and I always feel encouraged to invest more in the future. Reviewed on: 8th February 2023

Good fun, safe

Great option for higher rate tax payers Reviewed on: 1st February 2023

Never again

A nightmare just to get in... several different numbers and now two step authentication. Telling me to change my browset . I want a simple life Reviewed on: 8th December 2022

Frustrating. Unbelievably poor.

I don't where to start!! So here goes. 45 mins I was on the phone this afternoon to try and find out if my text message was genuine that I was one of the monthly winners. Checked on my app too and I wasn't. Reviewed on: 6th December 2022

Frustration is the only guarantee

After weeks of not being able to log in, several long calls (mostly in a queue) and nice but useless staff (because of the issues not the individuals) I have tried to pull my money out and you need another number that you need to login to obtain, see where this is going? Im in the circle of doom. sack some bosses here its shambolic. Reviewed on: 10th November 2022

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