22 Savers Won £1 Million Premium Bond Prize Within 100 Days
Analysis of National Savings and Investments data reveals a significant number of top prize winners purchased bonds shortly before their win.
Twenty-two savers have won the £1 million jackpot in Premium Bonds within 100 days of purchasing their bonds over the past decade, according to an analysis by This is Money. This contrasts with the typical scenario where winners have held their bonds for much longer.
The August draw announced two new millionaires, bringing the total number of £1 million winners to over 550 since the top prize tier was introduced in 1994. One of these recent millionaires, from Kent, purchased their winning bond in February 2026, achieving a win in approximately 120 days.
Analysis of National Savings and Investments (NS&I) data shows that over the past year, 25% of the 24 millionaires created were from bonds bought in 2022. Other winning purchase years in the past year include 2024 with five winners, and 2015 with three. This year has already seen two winners from bonds bought in 2026, alongside two winners from 2025 and two from 2014. Additionally, one millionaire winner each has been recorded for bonds purchased in 2023, 2019, and 2016. The oldest bond to win a jackpot, by approximately 10 years, was purchased in October 2004 and won in February's draw.
Winning the top prize shortly after purchase is not as uncommon as might be expected. Since 1994, 42 winners, or about one in 12, have won the £1 million jackpot within five months of buying their bonds. The analysis highlights 22 individuals who secured the £1 million prize within 100 days of purchase in the last decade.
Among the quickest wins identified are a winner from Bedfordshire in March 2018 and a winner from Surrey in March 1997, both securing the jackpot just 59 days after their purchase. The Bedfordshire winner held £7,500 in Premium Bonds, while the Surrey winner had £10,100. Eight other savers won the jackpot after 61 days, including a winner from Gloucestershire in December 1995 with a holding of £1,026. Three winners were recorded after 62 days.
In contrast, the average jackpot winner over the past year purchased their bond approximately 65 months prior, meaning they waited around five and a half years. Premium Bonds are eligible for draws a full month after purchase.