BIL Dividend: Yield, Schedule, and What to Expect
Last updated July 2026
Short answer
BIL's approximate ~4.2% (30-day SEC yield, moves with short-term rates) yield (as of mid-2026) makes it an income-oriented fund. It tracks Bloomberg 1-3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index and passes through the dividends of its holdings, typically quarterly, minus a 0.1356% expense ratio. If income is your goal, BIL earns its place as a yield-paying core holding. If total return is the goal, the yield matters less than cost and what it holds. Yield is a recent snapshot, not a promise; verify the current figure with State Street (SSGA).
How does the BIL dividend work?
BIL holds the companies in Bloomberg 1-3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index, collects the dividends they pay, and distributes them to shareholders (usually quarterly), net of its 0.1356% fee. The yield you see is the trailing distributions divided by price, so it drifts as both change.
BIL holds U.S. Treasury bills maturing in one to three months and tracks the Bloomberg 1-3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index at a 0.1356% expense ratio. Because the bills mature so quickly, its price barely moves and its yield resets close to prevailing short-term Treasury rates. The obvious alternative, SGOV, delivers nearly identical exposure at a lower fee.
How does BIL's dividend yield compare?
- Approximate yield: ~4.2% (30-day SEC yield, moves with short-term rates) (mid-2026).
- What drives it: the payout of the underlying Bloomberg 1-3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index holdings.
- Fee drag: the 0.1356% expense ratio is deducted before you receive distributions.
- For more income: dedicated dividend or income ETFs target higher yield, with their own trade-offs.
If income is your goal, compare BIL against dividend-focused funds. See the best dividend ETFs roundup, or analyze how BIL's income fits your real portfolio in Walnut.
The bottom line on the BIL dividend
The bottom line: at an approximate ~4.2% (30-day SEC yield, moves with short-term rates) yield, BIL is an income-oriented fund. If income is your goal, its yield earns its place alongside the Bloomberg 1-3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index exposure it carries. If total return is the goal, the yield matters less than cost and what it holds. Treat the figure as a moving snapshot, not a fixed rate, and verify the current yield with State Street (SSGA).
Build a portfolio around BIL with Walnut
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FAQ
What is BIL's dividend yield?
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Approximately ~4.2% (30-day SEC yield, moves with short-term rates) as of mid-2026. Yield moves with price and distributions, so treat it as a recent snapshot and verify the current figure on State Street (SSGA)'s fund page.
How often does BIL pay a dividend?
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Most US equity ETFs like BIL distribute dividends quarterly, passing through the dividends their underlying holdings pay. Confirm the exact schedule and ex-dividend dates with State Street (SSGA).
Where does BIL's dividend come from?
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BIL tracks Bloomberg 1-3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index and holds names such as T-BILL, T-BILL, T-BILL, CASH. The fund collects the dividends those companies pay and passes them to you, minus the 0.1356% expense ratio.
Can I reinvest BIL dividends?
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Yes. Most brokers let you turn on automatic dividend reinvestment (a DRIP) so BIL distributions buy more shares automatically. This compounds over time but still counts as taxable income in a taxable account.
Is BIL a good choice for dividend income?
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Walnut is informational, not investment advice. BIL yields roughly ~4.2% (30-day SEC yield, moves with short-term rates), which is on the higher side for an equity ETF. Dedicated dividend ETFs target higher yield; broad-market funds prioritize total return over yield. Match the choice to whether you want income now or growth.
Are BIL dividends qualified?
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Many dividends from a US large-cap equity ETF like BIL are qualified (taxed at lower long-term rates) if holding-period rules are met, but some portion can be ordinary. Tax treatment depends on your situation; confirm with a tax professional and State Street (SSGA)'s tax documents.
Walnut is informational, not investment advice. Dividend yields and schedules are approximate, stamped to mid-2026, and change; verify current figures with State Street (SSGA) or your broker.