Short-term Government Bond Funds

Funds that primarily invest in U.S. government securities which may include Treasury bills, notes, bonds, mortgage-backed securities issued by government lending agencies and other Treasury securities with maturies less than five years. Larger funds in this category incliude:

JP Morgan Treasury and Agency Select (OMBAX) - yield 5.40%, YTD return 1.32%, 3-year return 4.88%, minimum investment $10,000

Vanguard Short Term Treasury (VFISX) - yield 2.57%, YTD return -0.09%, 3-year return 6.09%, minimum investment $3,000

Vanguard Short Term Treasury (VSGBX) - yield 3.79%, YTD return -0.27%, 3-year return 6.29%, minimum investment $3,000

Fidelity Spartan Short (FSBIX) - yield 4.86%, YTD return -0.09%, 3-year return 6.50%, minimum investment $10,000

Intermediate-term Government Bond Funds

Funds that primarily invest in U.S. government securities which may include Treasury bills, notes, bonds, mortgage-backed securities issued by government lending agencies and other Treasury securities with maturities typically between five and ten years. Larger funds in this category include:

Morgan Stanley U.S. Government (USGAX) - yield 3.79%, YTD return -2.44%, 3-year return 1.75%, minimum investment $1,000

Vanguard GNMA (VFIIX) - yield 4.86%, YTD return -0.09%, 3-year return 6.41%, minimum investment $3,000

Fidelity Government Income (FGOVX) - yield 3.79%, YTD return 11.01%, 3-year return 7.21%, minimum investment $3,000

Long-term Government Bond Funds

Funds that primarily invest in U.S. government securities which may include Treasury bills, notes, bonds, mortgage-backed securities issued by government lending agencies and other Treasury securities with maturities typically ten years and longer. Larger funds in this category include:

Vanguard Long-Term US Treasury (VUSTX) - yield 4.08%, YTD return -8.47%, 3-year return 8.28%, minimum investment $3,000

T Rowe Price US Treasury Long Term (PRULX) - yield 3.60%, YTD return -7.92%, 3-year return 8.73%, minimum investment $2,500

Inflation-Protection Funds

Fund which specifically target offering a return that exceeds or matches inflation are available for investors who might need inflation protection in their portfolio.

PIMCO Real Return Class D (PRRDX) - yield 3.49%, YTD return 1.66%, 3-year return 1.25%, $5,000 minimum investment

Vanguard Inflation-Protected Securities (VIPSX) - yield 5.28%, YTD return 0.95%, 3-year return 2.90%, $3,000 minimum investment

Franklin Real Return A (FRRAX) - yield 0.92%, YTD return 4.21%, 3-year return 2.69%, $1,000 minimum investment

DWS Inflation Protected Plus (TIPIX) - yield 6.19%, YTD return -0.71%, 3-year return 2.14%, $1,000,000 minimum investment

Harbor Real Return Fund (HARRX) - yield 5.54%, YTD return 1.37%, 3-year return 5.39%, $1,000 minimum investment

State Farm Interim (SFITX) - yield 3.05%, YTD return -0.74%, 3-year return 6.23%, $250 minimum investment

Hartford Inflation Plus A (HIPAX) - yield 5.36%, YTD return -0.60%, 3-year return 3.21%, $1,000 minimum investment

Schwab Inflation Protected Select (SWRSX) - yield 5.42%, YTD return 0.10%, 3-year return not available, $50,000 minimum investment

Returns and yields are provided by Yahoo Finance but are not updated daily. Front-end or deferred fees may apply. Check with an advisor regarding suitability of an investment before purchasing.

Posted 4/13/09