Overview
- NS&I confirmed two £1 million winners for February 2026: Central Bedfordshire (bond 489TB013219, bought February 2022) and Liverpool (bond 040QJ919368, bought October 2004), with both holders at the £50,000 maximum.
- February’s draw distributed £408,082,375 across 6,183,066 tax‑free prizes, with a current prize-fund rate of 3.6% and odds of 22,000 to one per £1 bond.
- NS&I noted every bond has an equal chance each month, yet many high‑value February prizes were won by holders at the £50,000 limit, reinforcing that larger holdings increase winning frequency.
- Around 2.7 million prizes worth roughly £114–115 million remain unclaimed, and NS&I urges checks via its website, prize checker app or Alexa, with most prizes now paid automatically or reinvested.
- Lightyear’s review of 2021–2025 suggests a typical £6,000 Premium Bonds balance earned about £908 versus more than £10,600 in a FTSE 100 stocks and shares ISA, a gap of roughly £3,788.