What type of bond is issued by the U.S. government?

Treasury bonds are a specific type of bond issued directly by the U.S. government, representing one of the safest forms of investment due to the government's ability to raise taxes and print currency to pay back bondholders. These long-term securities typically have maturities of 10 to 30 years and pay interest to investors every six months. The appeal of Treasury bonds lies in their backing by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, making them a low-risk investment option, particularly attractive during times of economic uncertainty.

Corporate bonds, on the other hand, are issued by companies to raise funds for various purposes, which exposes investors to higher risk due to the possibility of company default. Municipal bonds are issued by states, cities, or other local governmental entities to fund public projects. Investment bonds is a more general term that could refer to various bonds, but it does not specifically identify bonds issued by the U.S. government. Thus, Treasury bonds correctly identify the bonds in question, reflecting their unique characteristics and security.