Treasury-Inflation Protected Securities, also known as TIPS, are securities whose principal is tied to the Consumer Price Index. With inflation, the principal increases. With deflation, it decreases. When the security matures, the U.S. Treasury pays the original or adjusted principal, whichever is greater. TIPS pay interest every six months, based on a fixed rate applied to the adjusted principal.  Each interest payment is calculated by multiplying the adjusted principal by one-half the interest rate. Follow the links below to view detailed data on the CPI numbers for various time periods.    (from TreasuryDirect.gov) iShares Barclays TIPS Bond Fund - TIP Annual Expense Ratio = 0.20% Vanguard Inflation-Protected Securities Fund VIPSX Annual Expense Ratio = 0.20% Flash Player 9 or higher is required to view the chart Click here to download Flash Player now View the full TIP chart at Wikinvest Flash Player 9 or higher is required to view the chart Click here to download Flash Player now View the full VIPSX chart at Wikinvest Article: Beware of Annuities

Chart of Base Rates for TIPS and IBonds (Click chart to see it full sized) This chart is updated monthly in Kirk Lindstrom's Investment Letter.  (more info & Free Sample) Enter your search terms Submit search form   Web forbestadvice.com