Two fortunate Premium Bonds holders from Liverpool and Norfolk are celebrating life-changing windfalls after each scooping a £1 million jackpot in the March prize draw. National Savings & Investments (NS&I) has confirmed the winners, with one based in Liverpool and the other in Norfolk, marking significant local milestones.
Details of the £1 Million Winners
The first winning Bond number, 496VT504601, belongs to a holder from Liverpool who purchased the bond in April 2022 and maintains the maximum allowable holding of £50,000. This individual becomes the fifth jackpot winner from Liverpool, highlighting the city's lucky streak in the Premium Bonds draws.
The second jackpot-winning Bond, numbered 282NN327573, is held by someone in Norfolk. This winner bought their bond a decade ago, in September 2016, and also holds the full £50,000. They are now the third person from Norfolk to secure a £1 million prize, adding to the region's growing list of high-value winners.
March Draw Prize Breakdown
This month's draw saw ERNIE, the NS&I's random number generator, award more than six million tax-free prizes with a total value exceeding £410 million. Specifically, £410,607,175 was distributed across 6,221,321 prizes, bringing the cumulative total since the first draw in June 1957 to over 821 million prizes worth more than £40.3 billion.
In addition to the two £1 million jackpots, the March draw produced numerous other substantial wins:
- 78 Bond holders won £100,000 each.
- 156 prizes of £50,000 were awarded.
- 313 winners received £25,000 each.
- 782 individuals scooped £10,000 prizes.
At the lower end of the scale, nearly 2.7 million Bond holders won £25 each, ensuring a wide distribution of rewards among participants.
How to Check for Prizes
Premium Bonds holders can check if they have won prizes ranging from £25 to £100,000 starting from Tuesday, March 3. This date follows the first working day of the month, when winners are typically announced. Several methods are available for checking:
- Using the NS&I prize checker app, which accepts either the holder's number or NS&I number.
- Visiting the NS&I website, where the holder's number is required.
- Asking Alexa for assistance through compatible devices.
It is important to note that newly purchased Premium Bonds must be held for one full calendar month after purchase before becoming eligible for the prize draw. This ensures fairness and allows for proper processing within the system.
Historical Context and Security
Premium Bonds were first introduced in November 1956, with the inaugural prize draw taking place in June 1957. They offer a unique savings opportunity backed by the UK Treasury, providing security for holders while offering the chance to win tax-free prizes. Individuals can invest up to £50,000 in Premium Bonds, making them a popular choice for those seeking a safe yet potentially rewarding savings vehicle.
Andrew Westhead, NS&I Retail Director, commented on the March results, stating, "Spring has well and truly arrived for two Premium Bonds holders in Liverpool and Norfolk, who are each celebrating a £1 million win this March. The jackpot winners aren’t the only ones celebrating. This month, ERNIE drew more than six million tax-free prizes worth over £410 million. To find out if you’re stepping into spring as a Premium Bonds winner, you can check on our NS&I prize checker app from Tuesday 3 March."
The Bond numbers for the two £1 million jackpot winners are announced on the first working day of each month after direct contact by Agent Million, NS&I's representative for notifying major prize winners. This process ensures confidentiality and timely communication for the lucky recipients.
