In this paper, our objective is to derive two-sided bounds for the renewal function even if the interarrival times have no finite moment. By proving a relationship between the renewal function and a suitable ‘truncated' compound geometric distribution, under a truncated generalized Lundberg condition for proper renewal equations, we derive upper and lower bounds for this truncated compound geometric distribution. Using this relationship, we obtain bounds for the renewal function. Under specific truncated generalized Lundberg conditions, we obtain two-sided exponential-type bounds and Pareto-type lower bounds for the renewal function. Also, by proving a relationship between the excess lifetime of a renewal process and the df of a suitable ‘truncated deficit at ruin' of a renewal risk (or Sparre Andersen) model, we obtain two-sided exponential bounds for the df of the excess lifetime.