IEF vs TLT: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, TLT yields more: 4.35% (dividend yield) against 3.37% for IEF. IEF is cheaper to own at 0.15% a year vs 0.15%. Over the same 18 years (Dec 2007 to Oct 2026), IEF returned 2.8% a year with distributions reinvested, and TLT 2.4%.
TLTiShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF4.35%dividend yield| Compared | IEF | TLT |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 3.37% | 4.35% |
| Expense ratio | 0.15% | 0.15% |
| Total return, 1 yr | −1.5% | −5.2% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +4.6% | +3.6% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | −1.4% | −7.9% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +0.5% | −1.8% |
| Worst drop since Dec 2007 | -23.2% | -47.6% |
| Share price since Dec 2007 | +5% | −12% |
| Pays | Monthly | Monthly |
| Issuer | iShares | iShares |
| Assets | $43.5B | $47.5B |
| Started | 2002 | 2002 |
| Type | Long Government | Long Government |
Higher yield
TLT
4.35%
Lower cost
IEF
0.15%
Better total return
IEF
2.8%/yr
Smaller worst drop
IEF
-23.2%
Key facts: IEF vs TLT
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, IEF yields 3.37% (dividend yield) and TLT yields 4.35% (dividend yield).
- IEF's expense ratio is 0.15% and TLT's is 0.15%: $15 vs $15 a year on $10,000.
- From Dec 2007 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in IEF grew to $16,746 (2.8% a year) and $10,000 in TLT to $15,646 (2.4% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -23.2% for IEF and -47.6% for TLT.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "IEF vs TLT: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/ief-vs-tlt
$10,000 in each, Dec 2007 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
IEF became
$16,746
2.8% a year
TLT became
$15,646
2.4% a year
Year by year
| Year | IEF | TLT |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +8.0% | +4.3% |
| 2024 | −0.6% | −8.1% |
| 2023 | +3.6% | +2.8% |
| 2022 | −15.2% | −31.2% |
| 2021 | −3.3% | −4.6% |
| 2020 | +10.0% | +18.2% |
| 2019 | +8.0% | +14.1% |
| 2018 | +1.0% | −1.6% |
| 2017 | +2.6% | +9.2% |
| 2016 | +1.0% | +1.2% |
| 2015 | +1.5% | −1.8% |
| 2014 | +9.1% | +27.3% |
| 2013 | −6.1% | −13.4% |
| 2012 | +3.7% | +2.6% |
| 2011 | +15.7% | +34.0% |
| 2010 | +9.4% | +9.0% |
| 2009 | −6.6% | −21.8% |
| 2008 | +17.9% | +33.9% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
IEF vs TLT: questions
Is IEF or TLT better?
It depends on the job. TLT pays more today (4.35% vs 3.37%), IEF costs less, and IEF has the better total return over Dec 2007 to Oct 2026, with IEF holding up better in its worst stretch. For income, look at yield and whether the payouts hold up; for growth, total return and drawdowns.
Which pays a higher dividend, IEF or TLT?
TLT, at 4.35% against 3.37% for IEF as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $435 vs $337 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
IEF. From Dec 2007 to Oct 2026, it returned 2.8% a year with distributions reinvested, against 2.4% for TLT. $10,000 became $16,746 vs $15,646.
Which is cheaper, IEF or TLT?
IEF, with a 0.15% expense ratio against 0.15%.
Related comparisons
Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. IEF leads on 6 of 7 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.