Dorset residents may unknowingly be sitting on a fortune, with over £1.1 million ($1.4 million) in unclaimed Premium Bonds prizes left uncollected. The local figure highlights a wider national issue, as £103 million ($139 million) in tax-free winnings remain untouched across the UK — money that could be life-changing if claimed.
Premium Bonds, launched by National Savings and Investments (NS&I) in 1957, offer a unique savings option where investors trade interest for chances to win tax-free prizes up to £1 million ($1.35 million). Each £1 ($1.35) bond enters a monthly draw via ERNIE, the Electronic Random Number Indicator Equipment, with odds of 22,000 to 1 per bond. As of March 31, 2025, Dorset held 332,240 accounts worth £2.7 billion ($3.6 billion), per NS&I data.
The unclaimed prizes in Dorset total £1,174,800 ($1,582,328) across 31,565 wins, including multiple £1,000 ($1353) awards. Over 162,000 Dorset accounts show no activity for 20+ years, valued at £11 million ($14.8 million), reflecting broader trends where 23 million UK holders have £130 billion ($175 billion) invested.
Why are £1.1 Million Premium Bonds Prizes Unclaimed?
Many prizes go unclaimed due to outdated contact details or forgotten accounts, especially for bonds bought decades ago or gifted to children. NS&I notifies winners by post, email, or text, but letters can get lost, and pre-2011 cheques often expire unclaimed. In Dorset, the oldest unclaimed prize dates to February 1964, worth £25 ($33.82).
Critics, including money expert Iona Bain, argue NS&I's tracing process needs reform amid the cost-of-living crisis, 'whilst it can be administratively complex to track down historic money.' Yet, NS&I reports paying 99% of prizes since 1957, with £166 million ($224 million) reunited in 2024-25 via tracing services.
- 31,565 unclaimed prizes in Dorset total £1,174,800 ($1,588,651) as of March 2025, per Dorset Echo citing NS&I.
- Nationally, 11 £100,000 ($135,000) prizes and 19 £50,000 ($67,632) prizes remain unclaimed, with 781,576 traces requested by March 2025.
- 118,653 overseas unclaimed prizes worth £4.6 million ($6.2 million) highlight global reach, per Trustnet.
More than £1m of Premium Bonds prizes left unclaimed in Dorset https://t.co/mIE4tIDKZ0
— Dorset Echo (@Dorsetecho) August 27, 2025
Can Dorset Premium Bonds Winnings Still Be Claimed?
Yes, all unclaimed prizes can be claimed with no time limit, as NS&I holds funds indefinitely. Prizes are 'unclaimed' after 18 months but remain valid forever. In 2024-25, NS&I reunited £120 million in Premium Bonds via traces, including 192,081 prizes worth £6.2 million ($8.3 million).
To claim, use NS&I's prize checker at nsandi.com/prize-checker, requiring your holder's number (9-10 digits) or NS&I number (11 digits starting 11/21/31/41). The free app shows recent wins and older unclaimed prizes. If details are lost, apply for the free tracing service online at nsandi.com/forms or via My Lost Account at mylostaccount.org.uk.
Call NS&I at 08085 007 007 (UK) or +44 1772 329880 (international) for help, or write to Tracing Service, NS&I, Sunderland SR43 2SB, including name, addresses, birth date, and signature. For deceased relatives, executors need probate if over £5,000 ($6,761). Andrew Westhead, NS&I Retail Director, urges: 'The £103m of prizes currently unclaimed represents just 0.28%.'
What Happens to Unclaimed Premium Bonds Prizes?
Unclaimed prizes stay with NS&I indefinitely, backed by HM Treasury, and do not revert to the government or fund new prizes. They remain in suspended accounts, available forever. NS&I emphasizes: 'We'll hold on to it until you get in touch.' This £103 million ($139 million) pot, just 0.28% of £37 billion ($50 billion) awarded since 1957, underscores efficient payout rates.
In Dorset, social media buzzes with reminders, like a post from @Dorsetecho: 'More than £1m of Premium Bonds prizes left unclaimed in Dorset.'
As 2025 trends show rising unclaimed assets amid economic pressures, checking now could unlock life-changing sums. Opt for direct bank payments to avoid future issues, nine in 10 prizes are already handled this way.
