Who are these people?

Question

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_public_debt

Can anyone tell me who exactly are the "creditors who hold U.S. Debt Instruments" refered to in this statement:

"The United States public debt, commonly called the national debt, gross federal debt or U.S. government debt, is the amount of money owed by the United States federal government to creditors who hold U.S. Debt Instruments. As of November 29, 2007, the total U.S. federal public debt was $5.12 trillion.[1]

"This does not include the money owed by states, corporations, or individuals, nor does it include the money owed to Social Security beneficiaries in the future. If intragovernment debt obligations are included, the debt figure rises to roughly $9 trillion.[2] If unfunded Medicaid, Social Security, etc. promises are added, this figure rises dramatically to a total of $59.1 trillion..."

Thanks in advance to all who answer.

Answer 1

Just about anybody. These are listed here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treasury_security

Anybody that has a savings bond or bought a T-Bill as an investment is a "creditor who holds U.S. Debt Instruments"

Answer 2

Creditors are a mix of individuals, companies and governments. A large part of the debt is owed to China for example - indeed, we'd be in real trouble if China ever cashed in those debt obligations.

If you buy government issued securities (bonds) then you are also a creditor to the government.

Answer 3

generally holders of outstanding bonds, of which savings bonds are a well known example.