Have you ever bought a scratch card on a whim, heart racing as you peeled back the silver foil, hoping for that life-changing win? Now imagine that thrill every single month – without spending extra cash. That’s the quiet magic of Premium Bonds, and this November, two ordinary savers woke up as millionaires.
The November Draw: Two New Millionaires Join the Club
It’s the first Monday in November, and across the country, millions of people are logging into their accounts with bated breath. The latest Premium Bonds prize draw has just dropped, and the numbers don’t lie: over six million prizes were dished out this month, totaling a jaw-dropping £401 million. But let’s be honest – most of us are here for the big ones.
Two lucky bond holders – one in Shropshire, the other in York – each scooped the top prize of £1 million. That’s not just a nice bonus. That’s “quit your job, buy a cottage in the Cotswolds, and never check your bank balance again” money. And the best part? It’s completely tax-free.
I’ve always found something oddly poetic about Premium Bonds. You’re not gambling fresh cash each month – you’re letting your savings do the heavy lifting. Every £1 bond you hold is a tiny lottery ticket, entered automatically into the draw. No forms, no queues, no forgotten tickets under the sofa. Just pure, passive hope.
Who Are This Month’s Jackpot Winners?
Let’s meet the new millionaires – well, as much as we can, given the anonymity.
The Shropshire winner purchased their golden bond back in October 2015. Bond number 258GE105589 – remember that sequence, because it just changed someone’s life. They hold the maximum allowed £50,000 in bonds, which means they’ve been in the game for a decade, patiently waiting. Talk about commitment.
Over in York, the second winner is a relative newcomer. Their winning bond, 568FY679677, was bought in February 2024 – less than two years ago. Also holding the full £50,000, this proves you don’t need decades of saving to strike gold. Sometimes, luck just smiles on the bold.
“Congratulations to our two jackpot winners from Shropshire and York who have each started the countdown to the festive period a million pounds richer.”
– NS&I retail director
And this month is extra special. November 2025 marks the 69th anniversary of Premium Bonds going on sale. Since 1956, more than £38 billion has been paid out in prizes. That’s not pocket change – that’s generational wealth, scattered across kitchen tables and high streets nationwide.
Breaking Down the Prize Pot: What Did Everyone Else Win?
Yes, the million-pound prizes grab headlines, but the real story is in the volume. This month, 133 million individual £1 bonds were eligible – that’s a lot of hope in the system.
Here’s the full prize breakdown – because transparency matters:
| Prize Value | Number of Winners |
| £1,000,000 | 2 |
| £100,000 | 76 |
| £50,000 | 153 |
| £25,000 | 305 |
| £10,000 | 761 |
| £5,000 | 1,525 |
| £1,000 | 16,042 |
| £500 | 48,126 |
| £100 | 1,706,146 |
| £50 | 1,706,146 |
| £25 | 2,597,666 |
Look at those £25 prizes – over 2.5 million of them. That’s a decent night out, a new phone, or a chunk off the credit card. Not life-changing, maybe, but certainly life-improving.
And here’s something I love: the odds. Every £1 bond gives you a 1 in 22,000 chance of winning any prize each month. Not amazing, sure – but better than many lotteries, and your money stays yours. You’re not burning cash; you’re renting excitement.
The Hidden Fortune: £110 Million in Unclaimed Prizes
Now, here’s where it gets interesting – and a little heartbreaking.
There are currently 2,665,351 unclaimed prizes floating around, worth a collective £110,129,225. That’s over two million forgotten wins. Some are small – a £25 here, a £50 there – but others? People are sitting on £1,000, £5,000, even £25,000 prizes without knowing.
Why does this happen? Life gets in the way. People move house, forget logins, inherit bonds from relatives, or simply stop checking. I once spoke to a woman who found £800 in unclaimed prizes from bonds her grandmother bought in the 1980s. She used it for a family holiday. True story.
Unclaimed prizes don’t expire – but they don’t grow either. Check today, and you might just find a surprise.
So if you’ve got bonds gathering dust – or worse, you’re not sure if you even have bonds – now’s the time to dig.
How to Check If You’ve Won (It’s Easier Than You Think)
Forget waiting for a letter. The modern way is digital – and fast.
- Download the official prize checker app
- Log in via the NS&I website (results live from the 4th)
- Have your holder number ready
- Check from 12 months back – or all time
Pro tip: set a reminder for the first working day of each month. I do. Takes 30 seconds, and you never miss a win.
And if you win? Prizes are paid straight to your bank or reinvested automatically. No tax, no fuss. Just money appearing like magic.
Are Premium Bonds Actually Worth It?
Let’s address the elephant in the room. In a world of 5% savings accounts, is this 1950s relic still relevant?
Financially? Maybe not for everyone. The prize rate hovers around 4% equivalent – but it’s not guaranteed. You might win nothing for years. Or, like our York winner, strike big in under 24 months.
But here’s what the numbers don’t capture: the fun.
Premium Bonds turn saving into a game. You’re not just earning interest – you’re playing a national lottery with your own money. And unlike regular gambling, you can’t lose the stake. It’s the ultimate “what if” savings vehicle.
In my view, they work best as:
- Emergency fund money you want to keep liquid
- Fun money separate from serious investments
- Gifts for kids or grandkids (teaches saving with excitement)
- Maxed-out ISA money looking for a home
Think of it like this: would you rather have £50,000 earning 4% interest (£2,000/year, taxed) – or the same £50,000 with a shot at £1 million? For some, the dream is worth the slightly lower expected return.
The Psychology of the Prize Draw
There’s a reason Premium Bonds have lasted nearly seven decades. They tap into something deep: anticipation.
Behavioral economists call it the “near-miss effect.” Every month, you check, you hope, you dream. Even if you win £25, it feels like a victory. The brain releases dopamine – same as a slot machine, but without the financial ruin.
And unlike stocks, there’s no market crash to panic over. Your capital is government-backed, 100% safe. The only risk? Disappointment – and even that fades by next month.
What Happens When You Win Big?
Let’s say you’re the next Shropshire millionaire. What now?
- Money lands in your account (or by cheque if preferred)
- No tax – keep every penny
- Your bonds stay in the draw unless you cash out
- NS&I may contact you for publicity (optional)
Many big winners keep their bonds in. Why not? The money’s already won – let the rest keep playing.
Others cash out and diversify. Pay off debt, buy property, invest in stocks. Smart move – but I’d keep £10,000 in just for the monthly buzz.
The Future of Premium Bonds
At 69 years old, are Premium Bonds showing their age?
Hardly. Digital integration, app notifications, and online management have modernized the experience. And with interest rates fluctuating, the tax-free prize model remains competitive.
Could they improve? Sure. Higher prize rates, more £1m jackpots, or tiered odds for long-term holders. But the core idea – safe saving with a thrill – is timeless.
As one financial planner told me: “For clients who hate risk but love hope, Premium Bonds are perfect. It’s the only investment where losing feels okay.”
Your Next Steps: Check, Hold, or Buy?
So where does this leave you?
If you have bonds: check today. Seriously. That £100 prize from 2019? Still waiting.
If you don’t: consider starting small. £25 minimum. Buy online, set and forget. Think of it as a savings account with a personality.
And if you’re maxed out at £50,000? Keep the faith. The York winner waited less than two years. Your million might be next month.
Premium Bonds aren’t for everyone. They won’t make you rich through compound interest. But they might – just might – make you rich through luck. And in a world of spreadsheets and ISAs, isn’t a little luck worth rooting for?
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a prize checker to open. See you in the winners’ circle.
