UPDATE: NS&I has issued an urgent alert to all Premium Bond holders, urging immediate account reviews as we enter January 2026. Customers are advised to ensure their details are current to maximize their chances of winning in the upcoming prize draws.
As the new year begins, NS&I emphasizes the importance of financial housekeeping. Each £1 Bond offers a chance to win prizes ranging from £25 to a staggering £1 million, with current odds standing at 22,000 to 1. The current prize fund rate has decreased to 3.6 percent, following multiple cuts throughout 2025, including reductions in April and August.
An NS&I spokesperson stated, “Now is a great time to check that NS&I has up-to-date contact and bank details for you.” Customers can quickly review their information online, making it easier to participate in the monthly draws.
With 2.6 million unclaimed prizes from October 2025, totaling nearly £110 million, the urgency to check accounts is heightened. “You can also use the NS&I app to check balances for all your accounts plus your Premium Bonds prizes for the past six months,” the spokesperson added.
For those who haven’t registered for online and app services, you’ll need your NS&I or Premium Bonds number, along with your name and address. Registered users can log in with their password or use biometrics for app access.
To quickly find out if you’ve won a prize, the NS&I website features a prize checker tool. “It’ll show you any prizes you’ve won this month, anything you’ve won in the previous six draws, as well as any older prizes that you haven’t claimed yet,” the guidance states.
Additionally, customers can set up their accounts to automatically reinvest any winnings into new Bonds, making them eligible for the next month’s draw. However, newly purchased Bonds must be held for a complete calendar month before qualifying.
In 2025, NS&I saw several cuts to the prize fund rate, which was at 4 percent in January before falling to 3.8 percent in April and finally to 3.6 percent in August.
As the deadline approaches, the call to action is clear: review your Premium Bonds account now to ensure you are fully prepared for the opportunities ahead in 2026. Stay tuned for further updates from NS&I as they continue to monitor the situation.
