September has brought a wave of excitement—and a dash of envy—to Premium Bonds holders across the United Kingdom, as National Savings & Investments (NS&I) revealed the latest batch of lucky winners. For some, it’s the thrill of checking their numbers and dreaming of a windfall; for others, this month’s draw has turned fantasy into reality. With more than £398 million paid out in 6 million prizes and two new millionaires crowned, the September 2025 results have captured the imagination of savers and would-be winners alike.
According to NS&I, the UK’s biggest savings product continues to live up to its reputation, boasting more than 24 million people with a collective £122 billion stashed away. Each month, Premium Bonds savers forgo traditional interest in favor of a shot at tax-free prizes—ranging from a modest £25 to a life-changing £1 million. And while the odds of winning any prize remain 22,000 to one, the stories emerging from this month’s draw prove that lightning can strike in the most unexpected places.
The headlines, of course, belong to the two newest millionaires. As reported by Money Saving Expert and other outlets, the first £1 million prize was claimed by a winner from County Durham, whose bond number 224BZ748917 was purchased in June 2014. The winning bond itself was worth £30,000, but the owner’s total holding sat at the maximum allowed: £50,000. The second jackpot went to Cumbria, with bond number 243VC581367, purchased in April 2015. This winner’s overall holding was also the full £50,000, but the specific bond that changed their life was worth just £9,480. Both stories are a testament to the enduring appeal of Premium Bonds, where every number—big or small—has a chance to shine.
But the million-pound prizes weren’t the only ones turning heads this month. Tyne and Wear emerged as a regional powerhouse, with three of the top Premium Bond prizes landing in the area. According to local reports, more than £350,000 in big prizes was claimed in Tyne and Wear alone, including a standout £100,000 win from bond number 546FY843571, purchased just over a year ago in July 2023. Other significant wins in the region included two £50,000 prizes, with bonds bought in July 2018 and April 2025, respectively. The list of winners stretches back decades, with some bonds dating as far back as January 1998 still delivering a lucky payout in 2025.
East Riding of Yorkshire also had its share of drama, as a saver with just £45 invested—purchased in September 1974—walked away with a £50,000 prize. As This is Money pointed out, this represents an astonishing 111,011 percent return on the original investment. It’s the kind of story that makes even the most skeptical saver wonder if their forgotten bonds from decades past could one day pay off in spectacular fashion.
The September draw was notable for its sheer scale as well. NS&I confirmed that 132 billion eligible bond numbers were in play, and the month’s payout included 76 prizes of £100,000 and 150 prizes of £50,000. The range of winning bond purchase dates is a reminder of the program’s long history and the enduring hope it inspires. In Tyne and Wear, for instance, winning bonds were purchased in months spanning from August 2014 to December 2024, showing that both new and long-term savers can strike it lucky.
Premium Bonds operate on a simple but compelling premise: instead of earning regular interest, each £1 invested is entered into a monthly prize draw. The minimum purchase is £25, and the maximum holding per individual is capped at £50,000. Anyone aged 16 or over can buy Premium Bonds, and parents, guardians, or grandparents can invest on behalf of children under 16. The allure is obvious—tax-free prizes, the excitement of a monthly draw, and the chance to join the ranks of the UK’s luckiest savers.
Checking to see if you’re a winner is straightforward. NS&I encourages bondholders to use their website or app, where a prize checker tool allows users to search by their holder’s number or NS&I number. The process is designed to be accessible, ensuring that no winner misses out on their reward. As the September results have shown, fortunes can change with a single draw—sometimes decades after the original purchase.
While the odds of winning are long, the volume of prizes and the diversity of winners keep interest high. In addition to the two £1 million jackpots, September’s draw included major prizes in regions like Hertfordshire, Birmingham, West Sussex, Northern Ireland, and Outer London. The Tyne and Wear £100,000 winner, for example, held a £5,000 bond, underscoring that even smaller holdings can deliver big rewards.
Yet, there’s a financial backdrop to all this excitement. NS&I revealed that it raised £2.5 billion from savers between April and June 2025, putting it on course to hit £10 billion for the year—a figure well within its target range. However, should NS&I appear likely to overshoot its savings goal, there’s a chance it may cut the Premium Bonds prize fund again. This would mark the fourth such reduction this year, down from a rate of 4.15 percent in January. In August, for example, the prize fund rate dipped to 3.6 percent from 3.8 percent, reflecting broader trends in the savings market and the balancing act NS&I must perform to manage both savers’ expectations and government targets.
Despite these fluctuations, Premium Bonds remain a beloved fixture in the UK savings landscape. The stories of winners—whether it’s a new millionaire in Cumbria, a £50,000 windfall from a 1974 investment, or the steady stream of £5,000 and £10,000 prizes—add a human dimension to the numbers. For many, it’s not just about the money but the thrill of possibility and the sense of community among bondholders, united by the hope that next month, their number might be called.
The September 2025 draw has reinforced the enduring popularity and unpredictability of Premium Bonds. Whether you’re a seasoned saver with the maximum holding or someone who tucked away a small sum decades ago, the dream remains alive. As NS&I prepares for the next round of winners, millions will be watching—and waiting—for their own moment in the spotlight.
