Legal Definitions - Bureau of the Public Debt

The Bureau of the Public Debt is a part of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Its main job is to issue and redeem Treasury bills, notes, and bonds. It also manages the U.S. Savings Bond Program.

For example, when the government needs to borrow money, it can issue Treasury bonds. People and organizations can buy these bonds, which means they are lending money to the government. When the bond matures, the government pays back the money with interest. The Bureau of the Public Debt is responsible for managing this process.

Another example is the U.S. Savings Bond Program. This program allows people to buy bonds that earn interest over time. When the bond matures, the owner can redeem it for its full value plus interest. The Bureau of the Public Debt manages this program and ensures that people receive their money when they redeem their bonds.