IEF vs VGLT: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, VGLT yields more: 4.00% (dividend yield) against 3.37% for IEF. VGLT is cheaper to own at 0.03% a year vs 0.15%. Over the same 16 years (Nov 2009 to Oct 2026), IEF returned 2.2% a year with distributions reinvested, and VGLT 2.2%.
| Compared | IEF | VGLT |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 3.37% | 4.00% |
| Expense ratio | 0.15% | 0.03% |
| Total return, 1 yr | −1.5% | −4.2% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +4.6% | +4.4% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | −1.4% | −6.7% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +0.5% | −1.2% |
| Worst drop since Nov 2009 | -23.2% | -45.3% |
| Share price since Nov 2009 | −1% | −14% |
| Pays | Monthly | Monthly |
| Issuer | iShares | Vanguard |
| Assets | $43.5B | $15.9B |
| Started | 2002 | 2009 |
| Type | Long Government | Long Government |
Higher yield
VGLT
4.00%
Lower cost
VGLT
0.03%
Better total return
IEF
2.2%/yr
Smaller worst drop
IEF
-23.2%
Key facts: IEF vs VGLT
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, IEF yields 3.37% (dividend yield) and VGLT yields 4.00% (dividend yield).
- IEF's expense ratio is 0.15% and VGLT's is 0.03%: $15 vs $3 a year on $10,000.
- From Nov 2009 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in IEF grew to $14,534 (2.2% a year) and $10,000 in VGLT to $14,461 (2.2% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -23.2% for IEF and -45.3% for VGLT.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "IEF vs VGLT: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/ief-vs-vglt
$10,000 in each, Nov 2009 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
IEF became
$14,534
2.2% a year
VGLT became
$14,461
2.2% a year
Year by year
| Year | IEF | VGLT |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +8.0% | +5.4% |
| 2024 | −0.6% | −6.3% |
| 2023 | +3.6% | +3.3% |
| 2022 | −15.2% | −29.3% |
| 2021 | −3.3% | −5.0% |
| 2020 | +10.0% | +17.6% |
| 2019 | +8.0% | +14.3% |
| 2018 | +1.0% | −1.5% |
| 2017 | +2.6% | +8.7% |
| 2016 | +1.0% | +1.2% |
| 2015 | +1.5% | −1.0% |
| 2014 | +9.1% | +25.2% |
| 2013 | −6.1% | −12.5% |
| 2012 | +3.7% | +3.3% |
| 2011 | +15.7% | +29.2% |
| 2010 | +9.4% | +9.0% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
IEF vs VGLT: questions
Is IEF or VGLT better?
It depends on the job. VGLT pays more today (4.00% vs 3.37%), VGLT costs less, and IEF has the better total return over Nov 2009 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 VGLT?
VGLT, at 4.00% against 3.37% for IEF as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $400 vs $337 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
IEF. From Nov 2009 to Oct 2026, it returned 2.2% a year with distributions reinvested, against 2.2% for VGLT. $10,000 became $14,534 vs $14,461.
Which is cheaper, IEF or VGLT?
VGLT, with a 0.03% expense ratio against 0.15%.
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 8 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.