What are Unclaimed Premium Bonds prizes?

They are tax-free Premium Bonds wins that NS&I awarded in past draws but never paid to the winner, often due to address changes, lost paperwork, or uncashed cheques. The money remains yours. You can still claim it at any time by verifying your details with NS&I and choosing a modern payout method.

How do I use the NS&I prize checker?

Use the NS&I website or app prize checker. Have your Holder’s Number or NS&I number ready and confirm your date of birth when asked. Check monthly after results are published. Keep your login secure, never share one-time passcodes, and switch on bank transfer or reinvestment to capture future wins automatically.

Do Unclaimed Premium Bonds prizes expire?

No. Premium Bonds prizes do not expire, even if they are decades old. You can claim any historic win by proving your identity. Executors can also claim on behalf of estates with the right documents. After claiming, choose a digital payout to prevent future missed prizes and speed up any payments.

Why should I switch to digital payouts for Premium Bonds?

Digital payouts send winnings straight to your bank, or reinvest them into more Bonds up to NS&I’s limit. This avoids lost cheques, speeds access to cash, and reduces admin for families and executors. It also helps prevent Unclaimed Premium Bonds prizes in the future by keeping everything linked to current details.

Global Market Insights

UK Premium Bonds March 01: £115m Unclaimed, 2.7m Winners to Claim

ByDanny Kontos March 1, 2026March 1, 2026

Unclaimed Premium Bonds prizes have reached £115m, spread across 2.7m winners, according to fresh UK reports. For households, this is real, tax-free money waiting to be claimed. For the wider economy, those claims could lift near-term spending or shore up UK savings. We explain what this means, how to use the NS&I prize checker, and simple steps to avoid future missed wins. If you hold Premium Bonds, act now to see whether you have money due.