Treasury Inflation Protected Securities, or TIPS, are low risk investments backed by the U.S. government whose par value rises with inflation using the consumer price index as a benchmark, while keeping a fixed interest rate. Interest is paid semiannually, and private individuals can purchase the securities dirctly from the goverment using the TreasuryDirect web site in 5, 10, and 20 year maturities with a minimum investment of $100. This is Kristin Bianco for Passfail.com, taking you behind the ticker. For Passfail.com, Behind The Ticker (TM) Pass Fail News