A lucky Premium Bonds saver has scooped a £100,000 prize in the June 2026 draw, despite having only £270 invested. The winning bond, number 69VL928082, was purchased in February 2020. Premium Bonds, offered by NS&I, do not pay interest; instead, savers are entered into a monthly prize draw for tax-free prizes.
How Premium Bonds Work
Holders can invest up to £50,000 in Premium Bonds. The current odds of winning per £1 bond are 23,000 to one, but this will improve to 22,000 to one from the July 2026 draw. This change coincides with an increase in the prize fund rate to 3.8%, the closest equivalent to an interest rate.
Big Prizes in June 2026
Each month, two £1 million prizes are awarded. In June, the first £1 million winner resides in Cheshire West and Chester, holding £33,800 in bonds. The second winner, based in Leeds, has £42,425 invested. The smallest prize is £25, but winning is not guaranteed, and smaller prizes are more common than larger ones.
Checking and Claiming Prizes
Winners are notified by email or text from NS&I. Prizes can be paid into a bank account or reinvested into more bonds. Savers can also use the NS&I online prize checker or the Premium Bonds app. Over 24 million people currently hold Premium Bonds.
NS&I Contacting Bereaved Families
NS&I has begun contacting thousands of families who may have missed out on savings or prizes after a loved one's death. Between 2008 and 2025, the Treasury-backed institution failed to trace some accounts, leading to unpaid or delayed payments. NS&I now estimates it owes £367,000 to 34,000 estates, down from earlier estimates of £476,000 for 37,500 families. The figure may decrease further after ongoing reviews.
