If you’re looking for a safe and reliable way to grow your money in 2025, one option worth considering is Retail Treasury Bonds (RTBs). These government-backed investments are popular among Filipinos who want better returns than a regular savings account, but without the high risk of stocks or other volatile investments.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through what RTBs are, how they work, why you should (or shouldn’t) invest, and what to expect for RTBs in 2025.
What Are Retail Treasury Bonds (RTBs)?
Retail Treasury Bonds, or RTBs, are debt instruments issued by the Philippine government. When you invest in RTBs, you’re basically lending money to the government. In return, you get guaranteed interest payments until the bond matures, plus your full principal amount back at the end of the term.
They are considered one of the safest investments available in the Philippines because they are backed by the government itself.
How Do RTBs Work?
Here’s a simple breakdown of how RTBs work:
- You invest a minimum amount – usually ₱5,000, and in multiples of ₱5,000 after that.
- You receive fixed interest – paid quarterly (every 3 months) directly to your bank or digital wallet.
- You wait until maturity – after the set number of years (often 5 years), you get your full investment back.
For example:
- If you invested ₱50,000 in an RTB with 6% annual interest, you’d earn ₱3,000 per year, or ₱750 every quarter.
- After 5 years, you’d have collected ₱15,000 in interest, and you’d get back your full ₱50,000.
Why Invest in RTBs?
Here are the main reasons why many Filipinos invest in RTBs:
- Safety – Your investment is guaranteed by the Philippine government.
- Steady Income – Quarterly payouts give you passive income.
- Affordable – You can start with as little as ₱5,000.
- Higher Returns Than Banks – Interest rates are often much higher than what you’d get from a savings or time deposit.
Where and How to Buy RTBs in the Philippines
Buying RTBs is now easier than ever. You can invest through:
- Major banks – BDO, BPI, Landbank, Metrobank, etc.
- Digital banks and apps – Some allow you to invest directly online.
- BTr Online Ordering Facility – Straight from the Bureau of the Treasury’s website during the offer period.
RTB 2025 Updates (RTB 31 Recap & RTB 32 Anticipation)
The most recent offering was RTB 31, which closed earlier this year. It had a 5.5-year maturity and an interest rate of 6.25% per year, paid quarterly.
RTB 31 concluded in August 2025. Given that we’re already in the third quarter, the next tranche—RTB 32—is more likely to appear later in 2025 (Q4) or possibly early 2026, depending on the Treasury’s funding schedule.
We’ll update this article once official details are released.
Pros and Cons of RTBs
Like any investment, RTBs have advantages and disadvantages.
Pros:
- Guaranteed returns
- Affordable minimum investment
- Easy to buy via banks and apps
- Good for conservative investors
Cons:
- Locked-in until maturity (unless you sell in the secondary market)
- Interest is subject to 20% withholding tax
- Lower potential returns compared to stocks or mutual funds
Sample Computation of RTB Investment
Let’s say you invest ₱100,000 in a 5-year RTB with 6% annual interest:
- Annual earnings: ₱6,000
- Quarterly payout: ₱1,500
- Total earnings after 5 years: ₱30,000 (before tax)
- Plus your ₱100,000 back at maturity
This means your money earned ₱30,000 with zero risk — much higher than what you’d get if you just left it in a savings account.
Related Resource:
If you want to compute possible returns for your next investment, try my RTB Calculator.
Blogger’s Corner
RTBs are a solid choice if your goal is capital preservation with guaranteed growth. They won’t make you a millionaire overnight, but they provide steady income and peace of mind.
Personally, I like using RTBs as part of a balanced portfolio — safe government bonds for stability, paired with higher-risk investments like stocks or Pag-IBIG MP2 for growth.
If you’re a beginner in investing, RTBs are a great way to start. And with RTB 32 on the horizon, now is the best time to understand how it works so you’re ready to invest when the next offering comes out.