United States - Outstanding Public Debt

One of the main objectives of the Bureau of the Public Debt is to provide accurate and timely accounting of and reporting on all financial activity related to the Public Debt of the United States. The Summary Monthly Statement of the Public Debt (MSPD) lists the types of Treasury Securities issued to finance the debt and the total amount outstanding which is separated into the amount held by the public and the amount in intergovernmental holdings.

The total amount held by the public consists of all Federal debt held by individuals, corporations, state or local governments, foreign governments, and other entities outside of the United States Government, less Federal Financing Bank securities. Types of securities held by the public include, but are not limited to, Treasury Bills, Treasury Notes, Treasury Bonds, United States Savings Bonds, State and Local Government Series, Foreign Series, and Domestic Series.

The total Amount in intergovernmental holdings consists of Government Account Series (GAS) securities held by government trust funds, revolving funds, and special funds; and Federal Financing Bank securities.

The Bureau’s current accounting system produces the Total Public Debt Outstanding amount each morning around 11:30 A.M. EST. Their system relies on approximately 50 different reporting entities (e.g. Federal Reserve Banks and Bureau Offices) to report a variety of Treasury security information.

Outstanding balances are subject to audit and subsequent adjustments.

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