Biggest Holders of US Gov't Debt

As the US government spends an unprecedented amount of money to fix the nation's economy, there is an equally great need to raise the cash to pay for it. This is accomplished through borrowing, whereby Uncle Sam sells Treasury securities of varying maturity. For investors, the government bills, notes and bonds are considered a safe financial product because they have a guaranteed rate of return, based on faith in future US tax revenues. The government has been partially funding operations via Tr Photo: Getty Images

As the U.S. government spends an unprecedented amount of money to fix the economy, there is an equally great need to raise the cash to pay for it. This is accomplished through borrowing, whereby Uncle Sam sells Treasury securities of varying maturity.



For investors, government bills, notes and bonds are considered safe because they have a guaranteed rate of return, based on faith in future U.S. tax revenues. The government has been partially funding operations via Treasury securities for decades.



This borrowing adds to the national debt, which has recently surpassed $15.7 trillion and is rising every second. The amount of debt is quickly approaching the federal debt ceiling, a legal limit to borrowing that currently stands at $16.4 trillion.



Much of that debt is held by private sector, but about 45 percent is held by public entities, including parts of the government. Here's who owns the most. Foreign countries listed include both private and public investors, according to monthly U.S. Treasury data.



By Paul ToscanoUpdated 31 May 2012

15. Taiwan

US debt holdings: $149.6 billion Taiwan's holdings of US debt have remained relatively steady over the past year, but in the past two years it has surpassed both Russia and Hong Kong in total holdings. To date, Taiwan holds $126.9 billion in Treasury securities, compared to Russia, whose holdings have been rapidly shrinking as the country diversifies, currently standing at $89.7 billion. Photo: Getty Images

U.S. debt holdings: $184.4 billion



Taiwan's holdings of U.S. debt have increased gradually over the last year, but in the past two years it has surpassed both Russia and Switzerland in total holdings. To date, Taiwan holds $184.4 billion in Treasury securities, compared with Russia's $146.7 billion and Hong Kong’s $138.8 billion.

14. Caribbean Banking Centers

US debt holdings: $153.2 billion The US Treasury identifies this group as institutions in the Bahamas, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Netherlands Antilles, Panama and the British Virgin Islands. Holdings are currently listed at $153.2 billion, up from $106.6 billion in June 2008, but remains off the group's high of $213.6 billion in March 2009. Photo: Wendy Twodolla

U.S. debt holdings: $224.8 billion



The U.S. Treasury identifies this group as institutions in the Bahamas, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Netherlands Antilles, Panama and the British Virgin Islands. Holdings are currently listed at $224.8 billion, up from $106.6 billion in June 2008, but remains off the group's high of $226 billion in December 2011.

13. Brazil

US debt holdings: $164.3 billion The South American economic giant has $164.3 billion in holdings, according to the Treasury. Brazil’s investment into US debt has been fluctuating slightly over the past two years, with current holdings testing a high of $170.8 billion from Feb 2010. Photo: AP

U.S. debt holdings: $237.4 billion



The South American economic giant has $237.4 billion in holdings, according to the Treasury. Brazil’s investment into US debt has been fluctuating only slightly over the past two years, with current holdings remaining between $190 billion and $240 billion over the past 12 months.

12. Insurance Companies

US debt holdings: $235.7 billion According to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, insurance companies hold $235.7 billion in Treasury securities. This group includes property-casualty and life insurance firms. Photo: Sylvain Leprovost

U.S. debt holdings: $253.7 billion



According to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, insurance companies hold $253.7 billion in Treasury securities. This group includes property-casualty and life insurance firms.

11. Oil Exporters

US debt holdings: $239.3 billion Big oil means big money... and big investment into US debt. Included in the group of oil exporters are Ecuador, Venezuela, Indonesia, Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Gabon, Libya, and Nigeria. The group combines for a total of $239.3 billion, which is a slight increase from the $190 billion - $220 billion range they have maintained in recent history. Photo: AP

U.S. debt holdings: $254.5 billion



Big oil means big money... and big investment into U.S. debt. Included in the group of oil exporters are Ecuador, Venezuela, Indonesia, Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Gabon, Libya, and Nigeria. The group combines for a total of $254.5 billion, just off the 2012 high of $264.9 billion.

10. Depository Institutions

US debt holdings: $206.6 billion As of the fourth quarter of 2009 (the most recent numbers currently available), the Federal Reserve Board of Governors lists depository institutions as holding approximately $206.6 billion in US debt. This group includes commercial banks, savings banks and credit unions and has almost doubled from Q4 2008, where holdings stood at $105 billion.

U.S. debt holdings: $286.3 billion



As of the fourth quarter of 2011 (the most recent numbers currently available), the Federal Reserve Board of Governors lists depository institutions as holding approximately $286.3 billion in U.S. debt. This group includes commercial banks, savings banks and credit unions and in 2011 holdings nearly tripled from the 2008 low of $105 billion.

9. Medicare Trust Funds

U.S. debt holdings: $324.57 billion The trust funds supplying capital to Medicare - the Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and the Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund - hold approximately $324.57 billion in U.S. Government debt, according to the Treasury. The Hospital Insurance Trust Fund draws revenue mostly from payroll taxes and pays for Medicare Part A benefits, including inpatient hospital care and home health care, along with program administration costs. The Supplementary Medical Insura Photo: Ghislain & Marie David De Lossy | Getty Images

U.S. debt holdings: $324.57 billion



The trust funds supplying capital to Medicare - the Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and the Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund - hold approximately $324.57 billion in U.S. Government debt, according to the Treasury. The Hospital Insurance Trust Fund draws revenue mostly from payroll taxes and pays for Medicare Part A benefits, including inpatient hospital care and home health care, along with program administration costs. The Supplementary Medical Insurance fund works with money authorized by Congress and pays for Medicare part B and D services, such as home health care and prescription drug benefits.



For these funds, investments are required by law to be interest-bearing obligations of the United States or obligations with both principal and interest guaranteed by the United States.

8. State and Local Governments

US debt holdings: $531.3 billion US state and local governments have over a half-trillion dollars invested in American debt, according to the Federal Reserve. The level of investment has remained very stable over the past three years, moving within the range of $531.3 billion and $550.3 billion from 2006 to 2009, and although the amount has been increasing, the total value of holdings are off the highs. Photo: Getty Images

U.S. debt holdings: $444.6 billion



U.S. state and local governments have nearly a half-trillion dollars invested in American debt, according to the Federal Reserve. The level of investment has remained very stable since 2006, moving within the range of $484 billion and $576 billion. The current debt holdings, however, represent the lowest aggregate level for state and local governments since June 2005, when they stood just below today’s figure at $444 billion.

7. Mutual Funds

US debt holdings: $663.9 billion According to the Federal Reserve, mutual funds hold the fifth largest amount of US debt compared to any other group, although mutual fund holdings have diminished by more than $105 billion since December 2008. Including money market funds, mutual funds and closed-end funds, this group of investments manages approximately $663.9 billion of US Treasury securities as of December 2009, which are the most recent numbers available.

U.S. debt holdings: $797.9 billion



According to the Federal Reserve, mutual funds hold the seventh largest amount of U.S. debt compared to any other group, and their holdings are currently at an all-time high. Including money market funds, mutual funds and closed-end funds, this group of investment funds manages approximately $797.9 billion of U.S. Treasury securities as of December 2011, which are the most recent numbers available.

6. Pension Funds

US debt holdings: $513.1 billion Pension funds control large amounts of money, reserved for personal retirements, and thus are obligated to make relatively safe investments. This group includes both private and local government pension funds, totaling $513.1 billion. The private pension fund category also includes US Treasury securities held by the Federal Employees Retirement System Thrift Savings Plan "G Fund."

U.S. debt holdings: $903.4 billion



Pension funds control large amounts of money, reserved for personal retirements, and thus are obligated to make investments that are considered to be safe. This group includes both private and local government pension funds, totaling $903.4 billion. The private pension fund category also includes US Treasury securities held by the Federal Employees Retirement System Thrift Savings Plan "G Fund."

5. Japan

US debt holdings: $795.5 billion A major US trade partner, Japan holds a huge amount of American debt, and has traditionally been one of the US's largest debt holders, currently owning $795.5 billion of treasury securities. Photo: AP

U.S. debt holdings: $1.083 trillion



A major US trade partner, Japan holds a huge amount of American debt, and has traditionally been one of the US's largest debt holders, currently owning $1.083 trillion of treasury securities.

4. Savings Bonds & Other Investors

US debt holdings $1.193 trillion With the most recent numbers from March 2010, this extremely diverse group includes individuals, government-sponsored enterprises, brokers and dealers, bank personal trusts, estates, savings bonds, corporate and non-corporate businesses for a total of $1.193 trillion. Although the level of debt held in U.S. savings bonds has remained basically constant since 2000, the broad category of "Other" investors has nearly quadrupled since reaching a four-year low in Dece Photo: Dan Perry

U.S. debt holdings $1.102 trillion



With the most recent numbers from December 2011, this extremely diverse group includes individuals, government-sponsored enterprises, brokers and dealers, bank personal trusts, estates, savings bonds, corporate and non-corporate businesses for a total of $1.102 trillion.



Although the level of debt held in U.S. savings bonds has remained basically constant since 2000, the broad category of "Other" investors has nearly quadrupled since reaching a four-year low in December 2007.

3. China

US debt holdings: $900.2 billion The largest foreign holder of US Treasury securities, China currently holds $900.2 billion in American debt, a number which has risen every month since February 2010. Photo: DAJ RM | Getty Images

U.S. debt holdings: $1.169 trillion



The largest foreign holder of US Treasury securities, China posesses $1.169 trillion in American debt, although it is down from all time highs of $1.314 trillion in July 2011. For more on China and currency, see CNBC Explains.

2. U.S. Federal Reserve

US debt holdings: $5.259 trillion That’s right, the biggest holder of US government debt is actually within the United States. The Federal Reserve system of banks and other US intragovernmental holdings account for a stunning $5.259 trillion in US Treasury debt. This is the most recent number available (March 2010), but is off its all-time high in December 2009. About a decade ago, the total government holdings were "only" $2.5 trillion. Photo: Getty Images

U.S. debt holdings: $1.659 trillion



One of the biggest holders of U.S. government debt is actually within the United States itself. The Federal Reserve system of banks reports in its most recent balance sheet holdings of $1.659 trillion in U.S. Treasury debt as of May 24, 2012.



The Fed’s balance sheet has expanded considerably since the financial crisis, as the Central Bank looked to stimulate consumer demand and jumpstart the economy by keeping interest rates low and adding liquidity to the market through its purchase of securities, including U.S. Government debt.

1. Social Security Trust Funds

U.S. debt holdings: $2.67 trillion The largest portion of U.S. Intergovernmental Securities and the biggest holder of U.S. debt is the and the together comprising the Social Security Trust Fund or OASDI. When tax revenues for the Social Security exceed current expenses, the funds are legally obligated to invest in interest-bearing Federal securities guaranteed by the government, such as bonds from the U.S. Treasury. According to the Treasury, as of December 2011, the Federal Old-Age and Survivor Photo: Tetra Images | Getty Images