    <SEC-DOCUMENT>0001571049-16-014048-index.html : 20160420
    <SEC-HEADER>0001571049-16-014048.hdr.sgml : 20160420
    <ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20160420145412
    ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001571049-16-014048
    CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	DEF 14A
    PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		3
    CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20160610
    FILED AS OF DATE:		20160420
    DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20160420
    EFFECTIVENESS DATE:		20160420

    FILER:

    	COMPANY DATA:
    		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ZWEIG TOTAL RETURN FUND INC
    		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000836412
    		IRS NUMBER:				133474242
    		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD
    		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

    	FILING VALUES:
    		FORM TYPE:		DEF 14A
    		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
    		SEC FILE NUMBER:	811-05620
    		FILM NUMBER:		161581176

    	BUSINESS ADDRESS:
    		STREET 1:		100 MUNSON STREET
    		CITY:			GREENFIELD
    		STATE:			MA
    		ZIP:			01301
    		BUSINESS PHONE:		800-272-2700

    	MAIL ADDRESS:
    		STREET 1:		100 MUNSON STREET
    		CITY:			GREENFIELD
    		STATE:			MA
    		ZIP:			01301
    </SEC-HEADER>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>DEF 14A
    <SEQUENCE>1
    <FILENAME>t1600267.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>THE ZWEIG TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.
    <TEXT>
    Document 1 - file: t1600267.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>2
    <FILENAME>t1600267_pc1.jpg
    <DESCRIPTION>GRAPHIC
    <TEXT>
    Document 2 - file: t1600267_pc1.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>3
    <FILENAME>t1600267_pc2.jpg
    <DESCRIPTION>GRAPHIC
    <TEXT>
    Document 3 - file: t1600267_pc2.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    </SEC-DOCUMENT>