The rise k benefit has to come into play. Do you "need" that money now?

A lot depends on what other resources are available .. if you can get by and hold it, I would. I've got sons it can help if I dont make it and hopefully some life to live then if I do.

What a shame that you guys have to pay for your health in many cases…
Given the choice between health and wealth, I’d go for health.
You (or the person you’re referring to) could reinvest whatever is left over, and possibly claw it back over 5 years…

If it's electronic, I think you can just update the beneficiary.

I'd check into that.
Or set it to auto deposit into a joint acct with that person and the intended beneficiary.

are there heirs involved? would the 40k make any meaningful change in the holder's life up to and including possibly saving them? I feel like some more data is needed for me to make any kinda meaningful contribution.

If it’s meant to be an inheritance then I would leave it.

I'd try to ride it out to full maturity UNLESS I really needed that $40,000 right now.

Have a will

Life is about manifestation of one's intent. Whatever you think, you will ultimately experience if you spend enough energy thinking about it. Our thoughts therefore become our intentions and our intentions subsequently manifest to become our reality.

If the person in your question 'thinks' they will be dead in 6 months, they will die in 6 months. End of story. That intent is cast in stone as soon as they 'think' that death will find them in 6 months, just because some doctor told them so.

But if that person 'thinks' they will beat the odds and live beyond anyone's wildest predictions, then they will live beyond everyone's wildest predictions!

If I had a $50k government bond that had a maturity date 5 years from now and I was deemed terminally ill by my physician, I would leave the bond invested until it's maturity date because I'll need that money in 5 years if I decide to outlive everyone else's life predictions for my current state of health.

Depends if you need the money, guessing someone who can buy a 50k bond has other money for living on.

Wait it out.

I would do it now and invest in gold & silver. And I mean right away.

Take the money and go out in a blaze of glory.

Unfortunately such a diagnosis is usually made when someone is in such a bad way that they aren't fit enough to enjoy the money.

Wait unless you need the money but also assign someone a beneficiary uncase you dont make it.

Is it a paper bond or one of them fake digital bonds

If you need the money then take it now. If not then let it mature.